CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

HERITAGE, STYLE & POINT OF VIEW SINCE 1987.

My Vote for Best of …

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During my annual trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I discovered my new favorite eatery: Duck Donuts. Who knew the company with the quirky name has a Central Pennsylvania connection?

The idea for Duck Donuts began on the shores of the Outer Banks. Russ DiGilio and his family from Cumberland County regularly vacationed in Duck. During a day on the beach, they began reminiscing about a stand at the Jersey Shore that served freshly
made donuts.

At that time, there was nowhere to get fresh donuts on the Outer Banks, so the DiGilio clan came up with an idea to change that. They did their research, experimented with recipes and opened the first Duck Donuts shop in Duck, North Carolina, in 2007. (The company is headquartered in Mechanicsburg.) The cult-like mania for the cake-style custom donuts led to other shops in Corolla, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Avon. Demand led to franchising; the first shop outside of North Carolina opened in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2013. From there, it took on a life of its own; Duck Donuts is currently working toward more than 225 stores across 26 states. It’s regarded as the fastest-growing donut shop in the U.S.

As I discovered, there’s a reason for the public’s “warm” reception, and that would be the unique experience of ordering a custom donut. Unlike the traditional approach of rows of donuts waiting to be selected, you begin with a plain donut and build it your way. The possibilities are endless! You can keep it plain or choose from the selection of seasonal and traditional flavors. Then, you can mix-and-match your own unique combination of icings, drizzles and toppings. Maple icing with bacon is a personal favorite in our family.

Once you’ve made your selection, you get to watch your donuts being made. The robotic donut fryer seems to always be hard at work, dropping just enough dough into the hot oil waiting below. The bottom half of the donut cooks as it gracefully approaches the flip that ensures both sides are cooked to perfection.

The still-warm donuts are then boxed and prepared with your requested combinations of toppings. If you’ve never experienced a donut fresh out of the fryer, prepare yourself for a genuine treat. I’m already imagining one coupled with a warm cup of coffee on a cool autumn morning. Oh, and some shops have added a new thrill to the menu – donut sundaes.

In addition to creating a tasty product, Duck Donuts is also “warm-hearted.” The company supports Gabe’s Chemo Duck Program, a nonprofit organization that helps children and families dealing with childhood cancer prepare for hospital stays and surgeries. Over the past two years, Duck Donuts has contributed $140,000 to the cause. In addition, Quack Gives Back supports nonprofit and charitable organizations in communities where shops are located.

Fortunately, I won’t have to wait another year for my Duck Donuts fix. It came to my attention that there is a Duck Donuts in Lancaster (2097 Fruitville Pike), which is open 7 days a week. They also offer delivery through GrubHub, as well as catering services for businesses and other large groups.

For more information, visit duckdonuts.com. To find out more about the Outer Banks as a vacation destination, check out my feature article “An OBX State of Mind” at lancastercountymag.com/an-obx-state-of-mind/. 

Good ’N Plenty Restaurant: 50 Years of Authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking

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Good ’N Plenty and its owners, the Lapp family, have been providing a taste of the county’s bounty and hospitality to both local residents and out-of-town guests since 1969.

“We’re still family-owned,” says the restaurant’s current owner, Glen Lapp, who adds, “We now have the fourth generation of our family involved in the business.” While food is the main attraction, Glen maintains that hospitality has played an equally important role in the restaurant’s longevity. “We’re in the people business,” he notes. “We’ve served people from all over the world. And, as a multi-generational family business, we’ve also served generations of guests. We’ve had people tell us their parents and/or grandparents brought them here as children.”

Talk about homestyle! Good ‘N Plenty’s family-style menu includes such items as brown buttered noodles, red beets, mashed potatoes and gravy, chow chow and the signature fried chicken.

In the late ‘60s, Christ and Dolly Lapp had a simple goal: to provide friends and family with tasty Pennsylvania Dutch food. They achieved that goal by purchasing a farmhouse (circa 1871) along Route 896. When they opened their doors in 1969, the restaurant’s original seating capacity was about 114. Their timing and location were perfect – Lancaster County was fast becoming a popular tourist destination, and visitors were anxious to sample everything from red beet eggs to shoo-fly pie.

Two years after opening, Good ’N Plenty expanded with the addition of the Dutch Room. The reception room was expanded in 1978, and the Harvest Room was added in 1995 to accommodate small groups and business meetings. Today, seating capacity is over 500. The Lapps also own and operate Bird-In-Hand Farmer’s Market, which opened in 1976.

Because of their contributions to Lancaster’s tourism industry, Christ and Dolly were presented with the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (now Discover Lancaster) Spirit of Hospitality Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

Pennsylvania Dutch cooking and family-style service are the hallmarks of the restaurant. Food is prepared fresh daily using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. For example, locally grown cabbage is used to make pepper cabbage, while locally grown corn comprises vegetable dishes and is used to make chicken corn soup. Rolls, breads, baked goods and desserts such as ice cream are made fresh daily in the on-site bakery. “Our guests are interested in a farm-to-table experience. Visitors to the area see what we grow here, and they get to taste it at our restaurant,” Glen explains.

Glen Lapp readies the bakery for a busy day.

Glen notes that Good ’N Plenty’s menu has stayed consistent since the restaurant opened. However, in order to meet lifestyle demands from a dietary perspective, dining options have expanded. While all-you-can-eat family-style dining is still the most popular option, Good ’N Plenty added menu dining in 2009. There are separate dining rooms for each type of dining. “Some people like a more traditional restaurant experience. We also realize that it’s a way to attract both local residents as well as visitors to our area. And, although we’ve had menu dining for 10 years, a lot of people still don’t know about it,” he adds.

Family-style dining includes such Pennsylvania Dutch favorites as brown buttered noodles, fried chicken, red beet eggs, chow chow, apple butter, shoo-fly pie and cracker pudding. Glen proudly reports that Good ’N Plenty’s fried chicken made the Travel Channel’s list of “10 Most Hype-Worthy Fried Chicken Restaurants” in August 2018. He points out that periodically chocolate will be mixed in with the cracker pudding, making it popular with the younger visitors.

As for menu-style dining, options include the homemade items that the restaurant is known for such as baked chicken pie, baked meatloaf, fried chicken and the PA Dutch sampler. Entrées are served with two sides and a dessert. Soups, salads and sandwiches are also offered. Daily specials are available, as well.

When Christ and Dolly Lapp opened Good ‘N Plenty in 1969, it was located in the farmhouse that originally seated slightly more than 100 guests. Thanks to expansion, the restaurant can now accommodate more than 500 guests.

Of course, local residents are important to the business, especially during the winter months when tourists head for warmer climes. Glen notes that local residents often have a misconception that with a seating capacity of 550, the restaurant is always packed. “That’s often the case, but there are slow times depending on the season and the day; most weeknights there’s not a long wait. Everyone is welcome here – we’re not just for visitors to our area,” he explains.

As a way to nurture a local customer base of “regulars,” Good ’N Plenty 2Go was launched in 2010. “We know that people are busy, so we want to make it easy for families to have a homemade meal. Everything we make is available to-go, and call-ahead is encouraged,” Glen says. “Our to-go option has proven to be really popular, particularly with local residents.” Banquets and private parties can also be accommodated.

After dining or while waiting to be seated, guests may browse in the extensive gift shop, check out the 3-D Zook paintings of local scenes, or stroll through the bakery with its tempting selections that include whoopie pies, cookies, sticky buns, breads, fruit pies and, of course, shoo-fly pie. Special-occasion cakes and holiday treats can be ordered as well. There’s also a playground and petting zoo for the kids.

Good ’N Plenty is located at 150 Eastbrook Road (Route 896) in Smoketown. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The restaurant is closed Sundays except Easter and Mother’s Day. Good ’N Plenty will be open for Thanksgiving by reservation only. Call 717-394-7111 or visit goodnplenty.com.

2019: Happy Anniversary!

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This is a banner year for companies and organizations in Lancaster County. The following are celebrating significant anniversaries this year.

“Zum Anker” (The Inn @ The Sutter) 255 years

LNP (Lancaster Newspapers ) 225 years

Lancaster YWCA 130 years

Wilbur Buds 125 years

Rohrer Seeds 100 years

Lancaster Community Concert Association 90 years

Haldeman Mechanical Inc. 80 years

Lititz Rec Center 75 years

WGAL 70 years

Certified Carpet 70 years

Gochnauer’s Home Appliance Center 70 years

Musser Park 70 years

Engle Printing & Publishing 65 years

Stoltzfus Meats 65 years

Good ’N Plenty 50 years

Denver Meat Company 50 years

Interiors Home 50 years

Dutchland Inc. 50 years

Lancaster County Conservancy 50 years

Dottie’s Snack Bar in Quarryville 50 years

Oregon Dairy 40 years

Lancaster Police Bureau Mounted Patrol 40 years

Clinic for Special Children 30 years

Weaver Associates, Inc. 20 years

Festoon 15 years

Lancaster Barnstormers 15 years

Wendy Jo’s Homemade 15 years

Lancaster Homebrew 10 years

Lancaster County Convention Center 10 years

Paradise Energy Solutions 10 years

Music for Everyone’s Keys for the City 10 years

Chef José Andrés: A World-Class Chef Brings His Message to Lancaster

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To become a world-class chef and restaurateur, a person must sharpen a myriad of skills. Possessing an understanding of how ingredients work together is essential. Providing impeccable hospitality is required. Managing people and finite resources is critical. An intimate familiarity with differing cultures is invaluable. It all equates to operating a renowned restaurant. As it turns out, those same skills equipped chef José Andrés with the ability to help feed millions of people dealing with life-or-death despair.

The Spanish American

Chef Andrés is a busy guy. If you’re not entirely familiar with him, he’s the chef who made tapas a word to dine by. Throughout his career, he has received “outstanding chef” honors from organizations such as the James Beard Foundation (2011), as well as numerous media outlets. His Washington, D.C. restaurant, the avant-garde Minibar – one of the more than 30 restaurants operated by his ThinkFoodGroup – holds a coveted two Michelin stars and was recently named by Washingtonian Magazine as the “very best restaurant” in the nation’s capital. Next month (December 9), he will lecture at Harvard University as part of the 2019 Science and Cooking Public Lecture Series. He is part of a group of investors that will bring new life and dining experiences to the historic Hill Top House Hotel (circa 1888) in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (opening is slated for 2022).

He has authored several books, including his most recent, Vegetables Unleashed, a cookbook written with food writer Matt Goulding. He also co-authored (with Richard Wolfe) We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time.

In 2018, Andrés was named as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People (for a second time), as well as Humanitarian of the Year by the James Beard Foundation. He was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Despite his many accolades, his Twitter profile simply states: “We all are Citizens of the World. What’s good for you, must be good for all. If you are lost, share a plate of food with a stranger … you will find who you are.”

Santee Chapel was filled to capacity for the event.

Andrés recently set time aside to support Lancaster’s CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health, which is part of Catholic Health Initiatives’ commitment to create healthy communities across the U.S. Locally, one of CHI’s projects is Healthy Columbia, a program that aims to make Columbia a thriving community from a health and well-being perspective. As part of its Healthy Columbia initiative, the organization is building a day care center (St. John Neumann School for Children and Families) in the borough. It will also spearhead the renovation of the Columbia Market House, where a farmer’s market and a restaurant will fill the space. For more information, visit stjosephchildrenshealth.org.

For a time, it appeared the September 19 event might have to be postponed. Just days before he was scheduled to visit Lancaster, Andrés was still working in the Bahamas, which had recently endured the Category 5 nightmare, Hurricane Dorian. According to Andrés, his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen (WCK), almost immediately served approximately 370,000 meals to the bereft residents of the Bahamas. The mission? “In emergencies, we feed the hungry,” Andrés told the audience. “I saw the power of food to heal, to give hope, to send the message that we care.”

Founded in 2010, WCK has grown to not only respond to disasters but to also anticipate them, with teams and resources in waiting mode. It’s a proactive approach that requires incredible planning and resources in order to be among the first on the ground when the unthinkable occurs, whether it’s catastrophic damage on an island in the Caribbean, a fire in California, flooding along the low-lying coast of southern states or government workers in D.C. impacted by a shut-down.

Chef Andrés’ journey to the Bahamas started long before September 2019, when Hurricane Dorian initially made landfall. Having immigrated to the United States after serving in the Spanish Navy, Andrés brings a perspective uniquely his own to the table. “I came to America with $400, and I began to be a cook,” he recounted. “I have been blessed, and now I have multiple restaurants – more than 30 restaurants – and 100,000 people work with me. I was a 21-year-old boy when I arrived in America after my military service … I try never to forget that at the end of the day, I was that boy working the line or washing the dishes,” he said of employees he considers to be “the most important person in the restaurant. Usually, they are the ones that know what’s going on in the restaurant. I have some dishwashers that have been with me for 25 years, and they never want to be anything else. For me, it’s perfect because without them, the restaurant wouldn’t be moving.”

Feeding an Island

In September 2017, just days after Category 5 Hurricane Maria decimated the landscape, Andrés flew to Puerto Rico almost on a whim. There, he was quickly frustrated by the slow-moving bureaucracy that was charged with feeding Americans in dire need. He saw there was little effort being made to provide people with sustenance to simply stay alive, let alone start over and stimulate the local economy.

Feeding the people of Puerto Rico was paramount to moving forward. “It seems that charity is about the redemption of the giver, when charity should be about the reception of the receiver. Let that phrase sink in,” he told the audience in Lancaster.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, chef Andrés needed a meal plan that would feed the people of Puerto Rico quickly and with limited resources. He sourced food and then reached out into the community to survey specific needs. You could say divine intervention aided the effort – food orders were placed on the altar of a church that operated as a command center. Activating 26 emergency kitchens in Puerto Rico, a total of 3.7 million meals was served during the recovery process.

Andrés’ book, We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time, was co-written with Richard Wolfe. According to World Central Kitchen, “100% of the author’s net proceeds from the sale of We Fed an Island will fund World Central Kitchen’s work around the world.”

Chef Andrés wrote about his experiences and challenges in the book, We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time. In meeting that need, it was Andrés’ goal to prepare a dish that would deliver sustenance with a side of hope. He landed on sancocho, a hearty stew full of protein to nurture the body and warmth to comfort the soul.

Working from friend José Enrique’s restaurant in San Juan, sancocho became a staple in feeding the island. It proved to be a perfect choice: a familiar, home-cooked meal, prepared with delicious yet inexpensive ingredients. Prep work was made short thanks to the many hands of caring volunteers, plus the dish kept well for transport purposes. When paired with tostones (fried plantains) or rice, the rich flavor of sancocho could be stretched to serve even greater numbers.

On Empathy & Respect

For as much time that Andrés has spent pondering what it means to be an American, he speaks profoundly on what it is to be respectful and empathetic of one another. “One thing I saw about America is empathy,” he shared. “America has got a very good heart. We send our men and women to fight wars, to deliver other countries from aggression. Sometimes, maybe we got involved in a war we weren’t supposed to be in, too. But, every time there’s an emergency around the world, American men and women show up, to bring hope to others.

CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health president, Philip Goropoulos, interviews José Andrés at the Lancaster Theological Seminary’s Santee Chapel during the event, “Creating Healthy Communities: An Evening with José Andrés.”

“You see empathy in every single community. This is not about who is Republican or who is Democrat, or who is Independent. It’s about three words that really make America what it is: ‘We the People.’ Love for our values … love for who we are. Our ‘we’ is more important than the ‘I.’

“Empathy is something I always tell people that is the best of America. And, in the worst moments, sometimes America brings the best of itself forward. I’ve seen it plenty of times. So that’s what I always want the world to know, and that’s why I always tell the story… I believe 99.999% of America is about empathy.”

Of Faith and the New American Dream

Having lived through these experiences – reaching out to communities in America and beyond that have lost everything – causes Andrés to “reconsider the things I get upset over.” The people in these devastated communities “had literally nothing … but they have this smile from face to face because we show up.”

A nod to
the chef: one of his favorite indulgences – a cigar – is pictured with sancocho and tostones.

Working alongside other volunteers who answer to the disaster response and provide millions of meals, Andrés has come to discover “we are, every person … men and women of faith. They may not embrace or pray to the same God that you do, but still they have faith. I have people that tell me, ‘I am not a person of faith,’ and then I see the work they do in the field. You may not think you’re of faith, but what you are doing, you’re serving a higher purpose.”

He shared that when he arrived in America, he was often told that “being an American was to be a person of action. Prayers only get us so far. If we learn anything from Jesus, it was that he is a man of action, a person that really speaks out against whatever is wrong and needs to be fixed.

“To be a person of faith cannot be just the day you come to mass, and ask for forgiveness, and your sins would wash away and that’s it. I believe the hardest is the moment when you leave the doors of the church,” he theorized. “That is when you have to be the person of action of the same person you embrace. He was a man, and he gave a massive amount of love for this world,” he said in describing Christ. “He was a person of action every single second of his life. So, if we are really embracing him, embracing means to be like him. We can never be like him, and we’ll always fall way short, but it’s our obligation, if we are people of faith, to at least try the hardest to do a little bit more than what maybe is expected from us.

“In the end, I believe that is the new American dream. Not only to provide for only people you know, but to try to provide for those that you don’t know and wish they will have the same opportunities that you have. That should be the new American dream.”

Those sentiments should come as no surprise, considering that through mastering food and hospitality, Andrés has come to be regarded as one of the best chefs in the world. Similarly, learning what it is to be an American from an immigrant as thoughtful as chef Andrés is equally as poignant. On TV talk and cooking shows, running the late-night circuit, Andrés is energetic, down-to-earth hilarious and full of life.

Sancocho, Andrés’ go-to dish, helped to provide 3.7 million meals in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island in 2017. The delicious, hot stew, which is made with top round and root vegetables, is full of nutrients. It brought hope and energy back to the people of the ravaged island. For the recipe, visit joseandres.com/en_us/news/news/view/20/cook/puerto-rican-sancocho.

But, what makes him so inspiring is the profound use of his gifts and energy to lead the way in disaster response, providing essential aid for those in need. He uses his know-how to make a positive difference in the community that the world has become. The simple act of serving food is a gateway into the hearts and lives of those he encounters, of those who need it most.

“Really, life starts at the end of your comfort zone. Sometimes it’s where you find who you are and your role in your community,” he concluded. “We all are here with a mission. We all need to define what we are. Sometimes the answers are in front of us; we don’t need to look very far.”

Lancaster City Bureau of Police Mounted Unit

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There are a number of eye-catching sights in downtown Lancaster: art, historical monuments, architecture, floral displays and so on. But, one of the most awe-inspiring sights that kids and adults both enjoy and appreciate are the horses and officers that make up the Lancaster City Bureau of Police Mounted Unit.

Officer Greg Berry and his horse, Charlie, patrol Penn Square in downtown Lancaster.

The tradition of mounted police units began in Europe many centuries ago; units are now found throughout the world, including the United States. Lancaster’s unit, which is one of five in the state, was launched in 1979 as part of the city’s revitalization efforts. To commemorate the unit’s 40th anniversary, special T-shirts were designed earlier this year, which pay tribute to all of the equine members that have been part of the unit since its inception.

Currently, four horses and three full-time officers are members of the mounted patrol: Officer Eric Lukacs and his horse, Liam; Officer Scott McDonald and his horse, Ozzy; Officer Greg Berry and his horse, Charlie; and the fourth horse, Duke.

Top to bottom: Officer Eric Lukacs and his horse, Liam, are the main characters in a recently published children’s book titled What Does a Police Horse Do?.

During the beginning stages of establishing the mounted unit, horses were donated, which at times led to issues down the road. Now, horses for the unit are purchased from sources spread throughout the country and beyond. Duke is a 20-year-old Percheron from Toronto, Canada. Liam is an 18-year-old Clydesdale/Hackney cross also from Toronto. Ozzy is a 20-year-old Quarter horse originally from Missouri (his previous life was that of a show horse). And, Charlie, the largest horse of the four, is a 16-year-old big draft-cross breed.

Some police horses are born and then trained at universities. In such cases, training takes place in an arena, where pool noodles, smoke, tarps and other pieces of training equipment are utilized. Officers Lukacs, McDonald and Berry agree that arena training can only go so far.

The horses are housed in the police stables located within Long’s Park; however, the work that goes into training a police horse isn’t just a walk in the park. It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months for a horse to complete its training. As for the human component, it takes eight weeks for an officer to be certified as a mounted patrol officer, but even after the process is completed, one still continues to learn.

“A lot of their desensitizing training is in an arena, and that’s OK for certain things,” explains Officer McDonald. “But, then you get that horse out on the street, and he walks around the corner, and now there’s a jack hammer. This is something he’s never seen before, and I don’t care how much desensitizing you do in that arena, that horse is still going to spook to a point.”

Officers Scott McDonald, Greg Berry and Eric Lukacs stand with their horses in Long’s Park, which is where the police stables are located.

Officer Lukacs suggests taking the horses “out of their element” to receive proper training.

“We don’t train our horses here [at the stables] anymore because our horses are so worried about coming back to the barn because there’s a comfort level here,” Lukacs says. “When we want to raise their stress levels and get the proper training out of them, we’ll take them out of their element somewhere else.”

While some see the majestic four-legged creatures as cute petting pals, there is so much more that goes on behind-the-scenes that many don’t consider while walking about downtown. The city’s mounted patrol force covers a distance that spans from Vine Street to Lemon Street and Water Street to Lime Street – approximately a 10-block area.

“The animals are big ice breakers. Most people aren’t generally going to walk up and just talk to a police officer. Whether we have the horses, or the canine guys have the dogs, it’s something they want to come up and ask questions about,” Officer Berry says. “While they’re talking, they get to realizing that it’s not just a uniform up there, it’s a human being. I’ve had so many people tell me, ‘Wow! This is the first positive interaction I’ve had with the police.’ They don’t have a very good outlook on police officers, and once they get done talking with us, they don’t paint the entire profession with that broad brush that we’re all just out there to hassle everybody.”

The unit provides a highly visible presence throughout the downtown business district and surrounding neighborhoods. They respond to 911 calls, accidents, retail theft, or if someone simply needs help with directions. They also aid in crowd control during events such as Celebrate Lancaster, New Year’s Eve, festivals, parades, etc. They venture beyond Lancaster, as well. Each August, they join with other mounted patrols to work at Musikfest in Bethlehem.

The Lancaster City Bureau of Police Mounted Unit celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The horses are a downtown fixture on market days and First Fridays.

“I’ve heard it different ways, but the ratio is usually one officer on horseback for crowd control is equivalent to 10 officers on foot in a crowd-control situation,” states Officer McDonald. “People will want to argue with an officer when he tells them to do something, but they can’t argue with my horse.”

The officers and their partners also take time to volunteer at schools, scout meetings, career days, memorial services and more.

Ways You Can Help

The Lancaster Mounted Police Unit serves a major purpose for the downtown area, but it wouldn’t be possible without the help of donations made through the Lancaster Police Foundation. While the officers’ salaries are handled by the city, everything pertaining to the horses – from hay and housing to trucks and trailers – is funded through the foundation and donations.

“There are a lot of mounted units that have shut down in the past several years throughout the country. Most of those mounted units that have shut down is because of funding,” says Officer McDonald. “Horses are not cheap, so if tough times hit that city, and they’re looking to save money, a lot of times the first thing they look to do is cut the mounted unit. So, with Lancaster City, ever since we’ve had a mounted unit, it’s always been funded through donations through a foundation, so it doesn’t cost the city budget or the police budget anything.” Lancasterpolicefoundation.org.

The Lancaster Police Foundation will be participating in the Extraordinary Give being held November 22. If you would like to donate to the mounted or K9 units, their division will be listed under the government entities section. Be sure to write in the memo that you would like to donate specifically to either the mounted patrol or K9 unit. Extragive.org.

Another way of donating to the mounted unit is through fundraising events, such as the Horse World Expo, the Columbia Riding Show and the Susquehanna Equestrian Club’s Pace Maker. T-shirt sales are an on-going fundraising endeavor.

It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months for a horse to complete its training.

A major fundraiser is the popular Santa Stumble, which will be held December 14 in downtown Lancaster. This will be the event’s 10th year. A $10 donation earns you a button that provides access to the drink and food specials at participating bars and restaurants, as well as the costume contest that’s held at Tellus360. A $30 donation earns you a button and a limited-edition scarf. Participants are encouraged to wear creative holiday attire. The mounted patrol and K9 units will have a booth set up in the downtown area, as well. Presented by People of Lancaster, last year’s event raised $43,800. For details, visit lancastersantastumble.com.

Still, another way of helping is to buy a book. Officer Lukacs and Liam have been especially busy this year with appearances at schools and even businesses – they are the subjects of What Does a Police Horse Do?, a children’s book written by Massachusetts author Ellen F. Feld. “We were at the Horse World Expo in Harrisburg with two of our horses at our booth, and we were giving out information, talking to people and selling our T-shirts,” he relates. “The author, Ellen Feld, was there and came over to talk to us. She ended up driving all the way down here from Massachusetts, and we just went through a simulation over two days of what we do in one day.”

A portion of the proceeds from book sales goes toward the mounted unit. “It’s been a good fundraiser for us,” he notes. A recent book reading hosted by Lancaster Cupcake was an instant sellout. Locally, the book is available at Bomberger’s and Whiff Roasters in Lititz; E.M. Herr in Willow Street; Pro Look Uniforms in Rohrerstown; and Pottery Works in Lancaster. It can also be ordered through the publisher, willowbendpublishing.com, and through Amazon.

For more information, call the Lancaster City Police Department at 717-735-3300 or visit lancasterpolice.com. Donations may be sent to the Lancaster City Police Foundation, c/o Mounted Police, P.O. Box 10171, Lancaster, PA 17605-0171.

Drawing Connections with Salina Almanzar

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Lancaster City resident Salina Almanzar’s stacked portfolio of multifaceted work is rooted in drawing connections. From connecting with her neighbors, her family and their history, and Latinx heritage to connecting with educators, kids and the community at large, her work is bridging gaps and connecting communities with a unique artistic flair.

Salina Almanzar leads an Art Pop event at Culliton Park. Photo by Michelle Johnsen.

Born and partially raised in the Bronx, New York, Salina calls Lancaster home and has spent most of her life in the southeast area of the city. When talking about Lancaster, she explains, “The deep sense of community and collaboration [here] is really important to me in my community-based art practice. That ease of connecting with neighbors and even city council members or the mayor makes it such a different experience than if I was an artist in a big city.”

The Artist at Work

Make no bones about it, Salina is putting the work in. Professionally speaking, she wears quite a few hats, all the while pursuing her personal artwork. She is not only the youngest, but she is also the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to the School District of Lancaster’s school board. She is also a studio tech at Franklin & Marshall College, a job she has held since she was a student wrapping up her bachelor’s degree. “I graduated in 2013 with a BA in Studio Art and English Lit and basically never left! It’s been such a blessing,” she says of her work with F&M, where she often helps with programming and outreach, connecting city neighborhoods with the college.

Salina balances work with play while demonstrating a weaving technique with neighborhood kids at Culliton Park. Photo by Sarah Code Kroll.

Salina’s education in the arts didn’t stop there. She went on to receive her master’s degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University with a thesis on “examining creative placekeeping in the Latinx community here in Lancaster.” She maintains a position as an adjunct professor at the university as well.

Putting that knowledge and experience to work, she has also been working as a teaching artist in community through Lancaster Public Art (LPA) for two years. True to form, LPA “focuses on equity, livability and excellence to promote neighborhood connectivity, create meaningful collaborations and magnify Lancaster’s distinct sense of place” as its mission. Additionally, Salina receives support from Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF), the Baldwin Fellowship, and serves on several local committees including (but not limited to) the South Central PA Partners for the Arts and the Latino Empowerment Project.

Much of Salina’s work has been focused in the southern end of the city and the neighborhoods in which she was raised. Through LPA, she has co-created a mural on the side of the Water Street Mission building entitled “This Neighborhood is …” Right across the street from the mural – at the newly renamed Culliton Park – she has also hosted Art Pop events and free art and craft workshops through LPA’s PACE program. “The work in Culliton Park has been challenging because of the history of trauma on Water Street. So many folks I interact with have heavy burdens, and it’s amazing to see how a listening ear and some paint can shift attitudes,” she says of her time there. “I see folks living in transition in the park or battling addiction alongside some of the most adorable and enthusiastic kids ever. There’s a part of me that wants to help everyone, but I know I can’t,” she explains.

Salina and her “fiancé/art partner in crime,” Osmyn Josef Oree, pose in front of their Water Street installation. Neighbors were invited to answer the fill-in-the-blank question “This neighborhood is ___” as well as sit for portraits by the artists. The results were included in the mural. Photo by Michelle Johnsen.

With plenty of work on her plate, Salina is far from being in it alone. In addition to the love and support of her family, “my fiancé and art partner in crime, Osmyn Josef Oree, works closely with me as a photographer and collaborator,” she points out. “Last year, our mural project on the Water Street Mission was recognized by Americans for the Arts as one of the top 50 public art projects in the nation,” she continues. The couple plans to tie the knot next year.

Their mural project included a lot of community engagement. Neighbors and park regulars contributed to the subject matter and were asked to sit for portraits that would become part of the building’s façade. “The most rewarding thing is seeing folks’ faces light up when they see their work on display or their faces reflected in a mural,” she says of the work on Water Street.

alina works on one of the mixed media portraits of local residents for the “This Neighborhood is …” mural project on the façade of the Water Street Mission building. Photo by Michelle Johnsen.

Another enterprise coming to fruition for Salina is the opening of Café Pa’lante, the proposal for which she just received the third-place ranking in the Great Social Enterprise Pitch (a Central PA business plan competition that emphasizes social and environmental impact). A Latinx café and cultural space, Café Pa’lante will utilize traditional brewing methods and cooking. The café will also serve as a place for education and community in the heart of Southeast Lancaster City. “This has been a dream of mine for quite some time, so I’m eager to get started!” Salina says of the project.

Getting Personal

In keeping with her professional work, much of Salina’s personal artwork draws life from connecting with her culture and community. “I feel so humbled and rewarded when I see folks recognize themselves in my work. A lot of my work has to do with finding my identity and exploring the history of my family, as well as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic; so often, these stories are left out of mainstream retellings of history,” she explains.

Salina was recently named a Baldwin Leadership Fellow through LCCF and with that title plans to begin a project she has been aching to do. “I will be documenting the stories of Puerto Ricans in Lancaster, asking folks to talk about how they got here, how they make it their home, and what they want to see in their future,” she explains.

Salina’s personal work reflects the mapping of her connection with her family’s history, Latinidad culture and Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage, through collage and mixed media. She often sources material from her family momentos and photos.

Art & Life

As a Latinx Lancaster transplant, Salina’s work often explores the intersections of identity and finding one’s place. “Lancaster City and County are so rooted in generational histories of belonging and, when you’re a transplant, you can sort of feel like an outsider. Much of my personal art practice is rooted in understanding Latinidad as it exists in these in-between spaces,” she explains.
Salina’s take on the role art plays in the community is, “Art is the language we use to communicate who we are, what we value and who we want to be as a community. I think public art projects are great ways to bring communities together. Art allows us to connect across differences.”

For more of Salina’s work, visit salinaalmanzarart.com.

The Space of a Restaurant

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Architect Ben Samberg can feel the pulse of an idea. A certain je ne sais quoi speaks to him through dimensions, aesthetics and history (or lack thereof) of a particular space. In his own words, architects “create in a sea of limitations where each enterprise is a new experiment.” This is why he loves what he does.

Ben Samberg in the space that was formerly home to Coe Camera on North Prince Street. Next month it will become The Double C, a restaurant being launched by Sean Cavanaugh and Michael Carson, the chefs behind John J. Jeffries.

When I sat down to talk with Ben about his latest design – a new endeavor by chefs Sean Cavanaugh and Michael Carson of John J. Jeffries – The Double C restaurant was physically far from completion despite a door-opening deadline that was only a few months away in December. Feeding off the chefs’ idea of an upscale taqueria and tequila bar – his only direction was to make the space “cool” – Ben launched into a Día de los Muertos vibe.

He also immediately homed in on the heavy timber exposed by gutting the former Coe Camera Shop on North Prince Street. As the 3,800-square-foot space opened up, Ben began to envision well-crafted finishes created by metal experts, as well as custom leather booths. Old steel beams found abandoned in the basement would become hostess stations, while tabletops created from locally sourced timber would best be described as surgical (not reclaimed). Think flesh, bone, wood and metal in a welcoming juxtaposition.

“The space is really messed up in a beautiful way. There is a lot of texture. As I started to work on the project, I began to play up on some of the moody, bordello feel that is a bit – dare I say – ‘hip’ right now, like real vespertilian kind of stuff,” says Ben in the small, book-filled office of Lancaster Architectural Works right up the street from the restaurant.

For Ben, it is best when a client “sort-of knows” what they want, and he can lend his own vision to a project. While designing Rock Lititz’s Pod 2, his drive was to create a false narrative, to turn a new, metal building into a character of its own. He started by incorporating old crane parts he found at a nearby construction site. Consider the large bench at Gravie Kitchen + Commons inside Pod 2. It is made from the continuous track of a decommissioned crane. “That thing weighed like 5,000 pounds,” says Ben.

“I’ve gone in afterwards just to see how people interact with the space. I’ve overheard people asking, ‘What did this building used to be.’ Dude, it’s a brand-new building! It didn’t used-to-be anything,” says Ben excitedly. “That to me is the false narrative I was looking for. Design, especially with restaurants, is not like the days of yore, like TGI Fridays where you throw a bunch of stuff on the wall. It has everything to do with how the space is carved. I want people to interact with the structure even if they don’t know they are doing it.”

Although Ben has spearheaded projects like Pod 2, the Dickin Memorial Animal Hospital in Endicott, New York, and multiple residences in several states, he has a deep appreciation and desire for designing restaurants.

“There’s this willing suspension of disbelief when you enter a restaurant. You can eat the same thing you buy at a restaurant in a white box, but it won’t taste the same. The restaurant is that third space between customer and food; how a conversation is generated – sparked sometimes by the surroundings – changes the taste of the food. You’ll do things in a restaurant you wouldn’t normally do because of the vibe,” says Ben.

Over the past few years, he has been working closely with Omar Alsaadi and Mouhanad Kabbani, owners of Pita Chip, which Ben affectionately and with all respect calls the “Chipotle of shawarma” with food he describes as “out of control” good. The handheld, Middle Eastern to-go food from the small and growing chain based in Philadelphia sounds amazing as he describes it.

“It has everything to do with how the space is carved. I want people to interact with the structure even if they don’t know they are doing it.”

For their endeavor, Alsaadi and Kabbani wanted the feel of being out on the street brought inside a restaurant. “So, I literally pushed the boundaries of the space,” says Ben. Literally. He bought a shipping container, disassembled it, and reconstructed and retrofitted the massive metal structure inside the Pita Chip on the campus of Drexel University; he added 200-year old chestnut and a 15-foot city streetscape mural to complete the design. “I love putting a lot of heavy steel in restaurants and then softening it with wood. That’s kinda’ my thing. It feels right – crispy-and-chill in a relationship with soft, inanimate warmth. Then, if the food is really good, it just marries perfectly.”

Ben is married to English teacher Desiree Samberg, and the couple lives just outside of Lancaster City with their two boys, Sam and Remy. He’s a Lancaster native. After graduating from Lancaster Country Day School, Ben accepted a full scholarship to Temple University to study architecture, a time dotted with spats of self-exploration. He lived and studied briefly in Japan where he gained much of his “material culture” through wabi-sabi, which is Anglicized to mean the art of imperfection combined with acceptance and understanding of aesthetic sensibility. “It’s an earthen-borne architectural language where the material itself, even though it is inanimate, still has a spirit. Depending on how you put two materials together can change that spirit,” Ben explains.

At one point he dropped out of Temple to become a photographer and was accepted at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design in Washington D.C. But, architecture called him back. He graduated with honors, moved to Chicago to study furniture making, and eventually came back to Lancaster County. He knew he needed to gain hands-on knowledge about the business of architecture and went to work for several local firms.

“I could see the Lancaster art scene was starting to get hot. This was around ’06-07. All of a sudden, I’m helping build the convention center,” he recalls. “And, I knew I wanted to have my own practice.”

After a brief stint building and designing for Tait Towers, Ben started Lancaster Architectural Works. Soon he was running his own firm and a construction company. His first restaurant – Gran Sabor Latino – is located at 120 N. Franklin Street in Lancaster.

He’s scaled back to a one-man show, but as we talk, his phone is ringing nonstop. He’s in demand. While most of his work takes him to Philly and New York, Lancastrians will get a better glimpse of Ben’s style when The Double C opens in December.

For more information, visit lancasterarchitecturalworks.com.

Flashy and Fierce Meet Country Cottage: Fashion Designer Stevie Boi Visits Lancaster County

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The glam meter went off the charts when fashion designer Stevie Boi came to stay in Pete and Carol Heth’s FairView cottage. Part of what attracted Stevie Boi’s team to the Heth farm was the cottage’s well-appointed kitchen.

Rural location. Check. Foodie paradise. Check. A fab kitchen. Check. Lancaster County provides the perfect backdrop for fashion designer Stevie Boi’s latest project that celebrates food and cooking.

Carol and Pete Heth routinely welcome travelers from all over the country to their cottage-getaways in rural West Hempfield Township. Their country-farm setting, homemade blueberry scones and fresh eggs (provided by the resident chickens) garner rave reviews. They’ve even been tagged the Chip and Joanna Gaines of Lancaster County for their unique remodeling projects that have converted structures on their 6-1/2-acre farm into themed Airbnbs that include the Mod Pod (mid-century modern), the Birdhouse (French vibe) and FairView (featuring a cook’s kitchen). Their latest project is the Glamper, a restored 1975 Airstream that’s been converted into a quirky, fun guesthouse.

Stevie’s interest in cooking began at age 7. Now, he intends to share his Southern roots with his followers. Here, he prepares his signature omelet as the camera rolls.

Meanwhile, in nearby Havre de Grace, Maryland, a young fashion designer named Stevie Boi was searching for a site to launch his latest project, Stevie Boi Eats – a series of cooking videos for his loyal social media followers who already know him as the designer of luxe sunglasses, as well as a world traveler, blogger and edgy style trendsetter.

The matchmaker? GlampingHub.com.

As an online booking service for unique accommodations, it’s the go-to website for those seeking uncommon, back-to-nature destinations like log cabins, cottages, treehouses and camper vans. GlampingHub.com’s Jessica Armstrong found the perfect spot in the Heths’ property: a beautifully decorated cottage that boasts a commercial-grade gas range in a spacious kitchen. “We wanted to find an accommodation listed on glampinghub.com that was more than suitable and also had a lovely story and importantly, a stunning kitchen, as most of his filming would be in the kitchen,” recalls Jessica. “I found Carol’s property on our site, shared it with his team, and we thought it would make such a great fit.”

The fit was superb. We joined Stevie Boi while he was taking a break between tapings, lounging on the hanging bed in FairView cottage’s screened porch and sipping wine on a glorious late-summer-in-Lancaster-County afternoon. The designer of glammed-up, luxury sunglasses was far away from his cosmopolitan life of New York Fashion Week premieres (his next destination) and whirlwind multi-city international tours.

The youngest son of military-career parents, Stevie Boi (aka Steven Cordell Strawder) was born in Augusta, Georgia, but gained the worldly influence of European culture through his family’s travels and posts in Italy and Germany.

Stevie Boi relaxes on the cottage’s floating bed, surrounded by trees and farmland.

He left his government job as a military contract specialist when his need to create, design and express himself called to him. Fame came somewhat by accident, when he designed his own protective eyewear with some fabric and glue, posted the results to his website, and received thousands of requests from interested buyers. The DIY project inspired the beginning of SBShades, a now-extensive collection of glitzy, futuristic sunglasses that will cost you $300 to $500 to indulge your inner fashionista. Clients include a who’s-who from the worlds of fashion and entertainment. His breakthrough came in 2012 when his eyewear appeared on the cover of Vogue.

Now 30, the social media-savvy Stevie Boi has expanded his influence, having published a memoir about his nascent fashion-designer career, Shade Built My Empire. He recounts how “$20, determination, hard work and fearlessness” made Stevie Boi a brand name among luxury accessories, including how he hit the occasional pothole along his personal road to success. He intends that his story of successes and overcoming obstacles “empowers the trendy professional to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams with a dash of fierceness.”

Having scored the cover of Vogue with his edgy, unisex sunglasses in 2012, Stevie Boi’s designs have shaded some of the world’s most famous eyes, including those of Beyonce, Jay-Z, Madonna, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Katy Perry. Check out the selection online at stevieboi.com.

His time in Lancaster County added to a new chapter in the Stevie Boi empire – online cooking videos. He is also working on a cookbook, Season to Taste. He is not a neophyte to cooking – he’s been an avid cook since he was 7. In the summer of 2018, he collaborated with Philly-based Little Baby’s Ice Cream to create the specialty flavor, PINK.

With a mother of African descent, Stevie intends to share a unique cultural cuisine from his roots of Gullah Geechee, a lineage that connects to some of the first Africans who arrived in the Southeastern U.S. through the slave trade. A unique culture emerged that today is reflected in the Gullah Geechee’s art, crafts (the famous sweetgrass baskets), music, food and Creole-style language. Congress recognized the significance of Gullah Geechee culture and established the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which extends from Pender County, North Carolina, south to St. Johns County, Florida.

The requisite selfie: left to right, Jill Brown, Stevie Boi and Nick Gould.

Gullah Geechee cuisine is especially influential in the Charleston area and South Carolina’s Lowcountry. “I want to show people my roots,” said Stevie Boi, as he donned an apron for the next taping of his cooking video series, explaining that the Lowcountry cuisine “includes food like red rice with tomato sauce and white wine, and chicken breasts with bell peppers and jalapeno.” Creole and Cajun influences may come to mind, but Gullah Geechee’s hearty main dishes are a separate savory cuisine that often includes rice, local seafood, okra, tomatoes, braised vegetables and stewed greens.

As Stevie prepared to demonstrate the making of his special omelet, he revealed his “secret ingredient” – adobo seasoning. “I have a Southern approach to everything I make,” he shared, “from collard greens to schnitzel, mac-and-cheese to pepper relish.” His grocery run to the local Musser’s Market was a highlight of his visit, exclaiming, “They were so nice!”

The local chicks were fascinated by Stevie Boi’s style.

The Heths’ fancy-feathered chickens, burros and resident emu, Ferrari, kept Stevie Boi entertained and on-guard as they curiously checked out their new guest from the pasture next to the cottage’s front yard. It was just another day in Lancaster County, and a healthy dose of nature for the tres chic Stevie Boi.

Stevie Boi’s cooking videos will appear on Stevie Boi Eats, online at stevieboi.com.

For information about the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, visit gullahgeecheecorridor.org.

30 Years

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Thirty years. Time certainly flies. I started Lancaster County Magazine’s Best of Lancaster readers’ survey on a whim. I always enjoyed the Best of issues published by city pubs such as Philadelphia, Washingtonian, Baltimore and Richmond Surroundings magazines and thought, “Why not Lancaster?”

So, in 1990, I devised a ballot and had it inserted into the June issue. To my relief, completed ballots began arriving in the mail. I spent the summer tabulating the results the old-fashioned way – recording votes with hash marks on legal pads.

Of course, now it’s mostly done online, which makes tabulating the votes much easier and faster. We also still receive a fair share of hand-written ballots that are delivered via snail mail.

 

Choosing a cover for November has always been challenging yet fun. In 1990, we asked the county commissioners – Jim Huber, Robert Brenneman and Brad Fischer — to pose with some products provided by winners of the survey. It sounded good on paper, but when we looked at the pictures, they looked like three guys posing with a conglomeration of stuff. Fortunately, photographer Allan Holm thought to take some photos with just one product – a can of Hammond’s Pretzels. However, the picture was still missing something.

For those of you who weren’t around in 1990 or had forgotten the trio, the commissioners were notorious for not agreeing … on anything. I looked at the picture we chose and thought “bubbles” – as in comic captions. The bubbles satisfied the missing element.

The commissioners had no idea what the cover looked like until magazines were delivered to their office. I heard through the grapevine that at first they were upset, but then saw the humor in it. It’s still one of my favorite covers.

 

In 1996, we asked WGAL’s Kim Lemon, Susan Shapiro and Mary Saladna to pose with PennDOT’s Charles Enoch for the November cover. The premise was Lancastrians were living in fear of what the winter of 1996-‘97 would hold. The previous winter could best be described as every bad word you can think of rolled into one. Enoch and the crew from WGAL were the bearers of bad news day in and day out throughout the winter of ’95-’96.

As for the cover, the idea was for the “Fab Four” to dress to the nines and have snow drift down from above. Allan Holm ordered the faux snow from a supply house in New York. On the day before the shoot, it still had not arrived. What were we going to do? Dump detergent powder on them?

Fortunately, Allan tracked down our snow at FedEx on the morning of the shoot. Then, staff member Julie Cramer climbed a very tall ladder and proceeded to dump the entire bag on Kim Lemon, who had spent the morning at the salon. Fortunately, she was a good sport about it. We carefully picked the mound of flakes out of Kim’s hair, returned them to the bag and tried again, this time successfully. Julie kept her job.

 

Another November cover (2002) featured Brad Rutter, who started his mastery of trivia as a member of Manheim Township’s Quiz Bowl team and went on to become one of the most successful contestants to appear on Jeopardy!. When we photographed him, he had just won the game show’s Million Dollar Tournament.

For the cover, we asked Brad to print “What is the Best of Lancaster?” on a board. Joanne Thomas (the art director at the time) filled in the background of the picture with the answers to the question, i.e., the names of winners.

Seventeen years later, I still have the board in my garage. I’ve often thought of donating it to a charity auction, but because I didn’t think to have Brad sign it, its value is probably nil. For now, it will stay in my garage.

 

For the magazine’s 30th anniversary in 2016, we asked the wonder dog, Libre, to pose for our cover. We were thrilled to have Darren Modricker of Willow Street Pictures agree to photograph the Boston terrier who had been adopted by Janine Guido, the founder of Speranza Animal Rescue in Mechanicsburg, and the woman who literally willed the dog to live (with a lot of help from Dr. Ivan Pryor of Dillsburg Veterinary Center) following his rescue (by Dextin Orme and Jennifer Nields) from a backyard breeder in Southern Lancaster County.

The reaction to that cover was mind-boggling. Dog lovers who had followed Libre’s story – from across the country and as far away as Italy – called to order a copy of the magazine. Libre, of course, went on to become a canine Superman. Because of him, Pennsylvania’s dog laws have vastly improved.

 

As for this year’s cover, it was so much fun to catch up with the Myers family (see page 44). But, it didn’t come without its hiccups. The only time the eight siblings and cousins would be together was Labor Day weekend. Oh, no! I would be in North Carolina (and couldn’t change my plans), while Nick Gould had planned to go camping with his kids. But, being the trouper he is, Nick said that if Saturday morning would suit the family, he would postpone his departure time. Briana Webster Hess cleared her schedule to sub for me. We went to the farm a week ahead of time and chose a location, as well as one to use in case of rain.

I worried about the photo shoot all during my 12-hour trip back to Lancaster that Saturday. I was assured via texts and emails that all went well. I love my people! They’re the best!

Top 10 To-Dos for October 2019

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1 October 5 | Central Market Harvest Breakfast

Lancaster Central Market

This tasty event provides a festive way to kick off the harvest season. Delicious breakfast items will be served in the market alleys. View a lovely array of flowers and harvest décor. Children’s events, activities and live music round out the fun-filled morning. 23 N. Market St. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Information: 717-735-6890 or centralmarketlancaster.com.

 

2 October 5-6 | Lancaster City ArtWalk

Downtown Galleries

Presented by Lancaster City Art Galleries, visitors can discover the city through art. This self-guided tour of the downtown galleries features special exhibits, meet-the-artist events, children’s activities and live demonstrations. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Information: lancastercityartgalleries.com/lancaster-artwalk.

 

3 October 11-12 | Apple Dumpling Sales

Historic Ephrata Cloister

A fall favorite, these Pennsylvania Dutch treats will help to raise money to support the Back to the Cloister Fund, which assists in returning original artifacts to the museum. Pre-orders can be placed for five or more dumplings. Free delivery for orders of 20 dumplings or more. 632 W. Main St., Ephrata. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 717-733-6600 or ephratacloister.org.

 

4 October 19 | Wine Heart Gala 2019

Lancaster Country Club

Join Lancaster General Health for the perfect pairing – exceptional wine and sumptuous food. The 21st Annual Wine Heart Gala, which benefits the Heart & Vascular Institute, is an important effort that makes many of the cardiovascular community-based programs and patient-support services possible, including equipping first responders and local organizations with life-saving AED devices. Take part in an auction of vintage wines and Wine Spectator’s Top 2018 Wine Raffle. 1466 New Holland Pike. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Information: 717-544-5513 or lghealth.org/wineheartgala.

 

5 October 4-26 | Jekyll & Hyde

Prima Theatre

When the world is out of control, what lengths would you go to change everything for the better? As Dr. Jekyll attempts to solve humanity’s most challenging dilemmas, his passionate drive is met with internal and societal friction. The scientist’s experiments spiral out of control, strengthening his notorious alter ego – Mr. Hyde. Featuring an electrifying score, Jekyll & Hyde is an evocative, pulse-pounding tale. 941 Wheatland Ave. Information: 717-327-5124 or primalancaster.org.

 

6 October 12 | Tailwagger’s Trick-or-Treat

Buchanan Park

Enjoy a day of family-friendly fun, entertainment, food vendors, children’s activities and more! Take part in the costume contests. Delight in delicious food and chill in the wine/beer garden. Peruse the vendor and specialty goods booths. Pose in the Halloween-themed photo booth. It’s sure to be a howling good time! 901 Buchanan Ave. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: 610-750-6100, ext. 211, or humanepa.org.

 

7 October 25, 26 & 31 | Calling All Spirits

Lancaster Marionette Theatre

Express yourself and come in costume to see Artistic Director Robert Brock don his high heels to bring Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Mae West and Bette Midler to the stage of the Lancaster Marionette Theatre. In Brock’s uncanny impression of Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium, she will read the audience and call up the spirit of her fellow Long Island resident, Little Edie of Grey Gardens fame.

The legendary Billie Holiday is expected to materialize in marionette form during this Halloween spectacle. Brock’s latest dame, Bette Davis playing Baby Jane Hudson, will end the spirited evening battling with her sister, Blanche, and attempting her long overdue comeback to the stage. 126 N. Water St. 7 p.m. Information: lmt.yapsody.com.

 

8 October 3-November 17 | Blooms & Bamboo

Longwood Gardens

Autumn is here, and with it comes a debut exhibit, Blooms & Bamboo: Chrysanthemum and Ikebana Sogetsu Artistry. Prepare to be wowed by towering bamboo art forms and enchanting arrangements by international artists.

Autumn also brings a painted landscape of ever-changing color, with pumpkins artistically displayed, and creative chrysanthemums meticulously grown into gorgeous forms throughout the Conservatory. The Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum – a single plant bearing more than 1,000 perfect blooms on a single stem – makes its dazzling debut October 24. Also, the outdoor Garden Railway reflects the season in an imaginative way. 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square. Information: 610-388-1000 or longwoodgardens.org.

 

9 October 24 | Rock Lititz “Shock the Block”

Rock Lititz

Trick-or-treaters of all ages are invited to a night of treats and family-friendly Halloween thrills. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 at eventbrite.com (search for “Shock the Block”). Tickets purchased day-of at the door are $12. Children under 2 are admitted free. Admission benefits the Warwick Education Foundation. 201 Rock Lititz Blvd., Lititz. 5:30-8 p.m. Information: 717-626-0338 or rocklititz.com.

 

10 October 26 | A Taste of Science

Lancaster Science Factory

Enjoy an extra special Halloween edition of ‘A Taste of Science’ to benefit Lancaster Science Factory. This spooktacular night will feature delicious food and drink by local restaurants, music and dancing, costumed fun, and more – all set against the backdrop of a newly expanded Science Factory. New for this year, the host and mistress of ceremonies will be the bride of Frankenstein, Kahmor Vixenn! For your dancing pleasure, DJ Smiles will be spinning the scientific and spooky tunes. Go all out for your chance to win the costume contest or craft your own Halloween mask or costume in the Maker Space. Wear your costume over to Tellus360 where you can receive $5 off admission to their Halloween Party with your Taste of Science proof of attendance! This year the theme is spooky science, and that includes the food! Sample delicious small plates from the best local restaurants at eight stations throughout the Hall of Science. The Baker’s Table, The Commons Company, Quip’s Pub, Four54 Grill, TFB Hospitality – Per Diem at the Rock Lititz Hotel, American Bar & Grill, The Horse Inn open bar. Enjoy beer, wine and cocktails! Raffle and 50/50. Enter the raffle to win local experiences, treats and treasures. Only 250 tickets are available for this event. Early-bird specials and ticket bundles are available until October 7. 454 New Holland Ave. 6 p.m. Information: 717-509-6363 or lancastersciencefactory.org.

 

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