CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

HERITAGE, STYLE & POINT OF VIEW SINCE 1987.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream of a Party

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Candlelight, white twinkle lights and a moon that glowed brighter as the night progressed (thanks to spotlights) helped to transform a greenhouse into a midsummer-inspired dining room.

It was Tim Arpin and James Henning’s turn to host a party for their dinner club. They chose a date, came up with a theme and issued their invitations. The RSVPs arrived instantaneously!

A party at Tim and James’ home always equates to a bona fide event! The detail-driven twosome ensure that is always the case, whether it’s a casual barbecue for six on a Sunday afternoon or a black-tie cocktail party for six dozen on a Saturday night.

Tim Arpin and James Henning utilized A Midsummer Night’s Dream theme for three parties. They devoted a month’s time to emptying the greenhouse and designing and installing the decorative elements. Fortunately, all three parties managed to dodge the rainy weather that defined the summer of 2018.

Still, the party they hosted last summer would represent some firsts for the owners of The Gilded Lily, which Tim founded 30 years ago. The Kansas native arrived in Lancaster in 1987 to work for Witmer’s Greenhouses. After launching The Gilded Lily, he bought a property near Columbia in 1993, building greenhouses and a warehouse over the years to keep pace with the growth of his company. Since then, he’s provided residential and commercial clients with his trademark horticultural services and has helped brides, corporations and nonprofit organizations transform venues into over-the-top party sites. “We can make magic happen,” Tim says.

Thirty years of working with clients and other vendors has led The Gilded Lily to add a new level of service to its menu: party planning. “We can create the style of a party – from soup to nuts – and take a venue and transform it,” Tim explains. “If we don’t have what we need in our inventory, we can source it.”

Place chargers were made from a tree that was taken down on the property. Sarah and Brian Laborde created them as a gift for Tim and James.

He points to a woodland theme that completely transformed the Lancaster Country Club’s ballroom. Barns, meadows, an airplane hangar, restaurants, private clubs and museums have all lent themselves to the looks and themes Tim and James devise for celebrations and fundraising events. “We’ve completely redecorated rooms in private homes for parties,” James adds. They are looking forward to designing and executing a party at Wildcat Bluff, a nature preserve in York County, where the Lancaster Conservancy will be celebrating its 50th anniversary later this year.

Despite its reputation for being conservative and traditional, Tim maintains that “party town” has become an apt description of Lancaster. “It’s a socially active community – if you want it to be,” he says. “It seems there’s always something going on to support or celebrate.”

Consequently, party hosts and planners are looking for ways to set their events apart from the rest. “People are looking for different and fun ways to make their event special,” he notes. “They no longer want to settle for a pre-packaged look. They want their event to be the talk of the town.”

Guests were requested to wear white for the dinner club party. Pictured are Mary Ann Garrett (left) and Shelly Gunzenhauser.

For last year’s party at their home, Tim and James wanted to create a little magic of their own for guests to enjoy. They started making plans just as spring arrived. Tim had always wanted to hold a party in one of the greenhouses and decided the summer of 2018 would provide that opportunity. The location lent itself to a theme Tim always toyed with using – Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He did some research on the play’s background and watched the movie version, which debuted in 1999 (to mixed reviews) and starred Kevin Kline, Stanley Tucci, Christian Bale and Michelle Pfeiffer among others. He loved the look of the film and the notion it conveyed – summer magic and a night in the forest.

The salad course – charred watermelon, young arugula, feta, black pepper and balsamic watermelon essence.

Another first also figured into the theme – the setting would be used for three separate parties: one for Tim and James’ dinner club, The Rascals, which was formed in 2015 by members-turned-friends of the Hamilton Club’s Holiday and Major Events Committee; another for the winners of an auction that was held during a benefit for the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra; and, finally, a party for the employees of The Gilded Lily. Incredibly, each party managed to escape the wrath of Mother Nature’s incessant storminess that defined the summer of 2018. “Last year had to be the most frustrating summer I’ve ever experienced from a gardening perspective,” Tim says. “The weather definitely posed a challenge for everything from gardening to weddings and outdoor events.”

Of course, the look of the party would be paramount to its success. Lighting would be critical. Since the grounds are always aglow, Tim and James decided to concentrate on filling the greenhouse with thousands of white LED twinkle lights. Candles and dramatic crystal candelabras defined the 25-foot-long dining table that was elevated on a stage and covered in soft-green linens. A moon, which Tim created years ago and has used in many projects, would grow brighter as dinner progressed.

The tropical gardens provided the backdrop for cocktail hour.

To create the requisite forest look, Tim and James created custom planters that were wrapped in sheet moss and planted with orchids, ferns, ginger plants, peace lilies, bird of paradise, creeping fig, ivy, alocasia and rattlesnake calathea. Birch branches also filled the 20-foot-long planters that encircled the interior of the greenhouse. A miniature version of the planters traveled the length of the dining table.

Overhead, similar plants were joined by fresh Spanish moss, tetra stigma and various vines. “Just about everything was sourced from our inventory,” Tim reports. The exceptions were orchids, which were sourced in Holland, and the faux dandelions that were custom made in China. “We saw them at a Christmas show in Germany,” Tim explains.

The dinner entrée consisted of roasted summer vegetables, toasted barley salad and bright herb chimichurri.

As for the menu, Tim and James envisioned a summer harvest theme, and the culinary team from the Hamilton Club took it from there, creating courses that celebrated the bounty of the season.

But, before the sun began to set in the west, guests were entertained in the tropical gardens that define the backyard. So as to change up the look for guests who are frequent visitors, Tim and James rearranged the furniture, moving it from the deck and patio and onto the lawn. The bar, which mimics a tiki hut, was also moved onto the lawn in order to eliminate traffic jams. “Moving the furniture created more mingling space,” Tim explains. The deck was turned over to harpist Louis Lynch.

Harpist Louis Lynch provided the perfect background music for the theme of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Finally, the magic hour had arrived. It was time to move into the greenhouse for dinner. As guests entered, gasps of amazement resounded across the property. A few days later, the thank-you notes began arriving. One guest expressed thanks for being invited to “the most beautiful and elegant dinner party” she had ever attended. Tim and James had obviously worked their magic!

Credits:

  • Design/Decor: The Gilded Lily (arpinsgildedlily.com)
  • Table Linens: Special Occasions & Queen Street Linens
  • Catering: Hamilton Club/On-site chef, Joe Moffatt
  • Bartender: Gary Hufford
  • Good Spirits: Dave Murray
  • Stage & Uplighting: Shumaker PDT
  • Harpist: Louis Lync

Lighting accents the grounds on a year-round basis.

The Story Behind A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Whether you celebrate the Summer Solstice, Mid-Summer’s Eve or St. John’s Feast Day, the traditions behind the longest day of the year are as old as time.

The tradition of celebrating the Summer Solstice dates back to pre-Christian days, when it was customary to salute the power of the sun with bonfires that symbolized the notion that fire possessed the ability to cleanse and cure people of disease and curses, as well as protect them from danger. Plants that had healing powers were also collected on the eve of the Summer Solstice and fashioned into garlands that were worn on the head. Because evil forces were perceived to be at their weakest, weddings were performed.

To changes things up, Tim and James nearly emptied the deck and patio of furnishings and placed them on the lawn in order to encourage guests to mix and mingle.

As with many holidays, the Christian world sought to take elements of pagan traditions and add religious connotations to them. The Summer Solstice followed suit, as it became a day to honor St. John the Baptist, whose birthday is celebrated on June 24. In fact, it’s one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the Christian world.

St. John’s Feast Day is unique. While other saints are so honored on the days on which they were martyred, St. John’s Feast Day coincides with his birthday.

Today, many parts of the world – notably Europe and Canada – celebrate St. John’s Feast Day. While bonfires still illuminate the night sky on the eve of the feast day, they now pay homage to the warmth and light of the sun. The day has also become family and friend oriented. For example, in areas of England, residents place tables outside their homes and fill them with bread, cheese and beer for passersby to enjoy. Families gather for festive dinners. In churches, attendees pray that St. John will bless the summer season.

The Summer Solstice (June 21) is celebrated worldwide, with sites such as Stonehenge and the pyramids in Egypt being popular destinations to greet the first day of summer. In the United States, the Summer Solstice is celebrated with a yoga session in Times Square and multi-day festivals in Seattle, Santa Barbara and Anchorage among others. Fairbanks, Alaska, celebrates with a baseball game that gets underway at 10 p.m. and utilizes only natural light – the midnight sun – for the duration of the game.

During Shakespeare’s time, the Summer Solstice was called Midsummer’s Eve. The Elizabethans viewed the period as a time of mystery and magic and believed the line that divided the human and spirit worlds was at its most vulnerable. Unlike Halloween, the spirit world did not have evil or spooky connotations; instead, fairies embodied the spirits whose purpose was to orchestrate romance. Young people believed that they could conceivably meet their future spouses on the day in which the sun reached its highest point in the Northern Hemisphere sky. It also was a popular time to wed.

In 1595-96, Shakespeare took the traditions surrounding Midsummer’s Eve and created a play that addressed various themes that relate to love – unrequited love, defiant love and the lunacy of love all play out in this comedy of errors that is based on Greek mythology, fairy lore and pure theater. It also provided the enduring observation, “The course of true love never did run smooth.”

The Hamilton Club’s signature Bûche de Noel dessert took on a summer look for guest Jim Mays’ birthday.

Hosting Your Own Summer Solstice Party

Summer is the perfect time to host a party and celebrate family, friends, food and the outdoors. Here are some tips from Tim and James to make your gathering party perfect.

  1. A theme is essential. It provides the framework for a menu and the decor.
  2. Think color. Tim is loving Living Coral, this year’s Pantone Color of the Year. He likes to pair it with lavender.
  3. Invest in birch logs and branches. Birch spans the seasons, plus it brings color, texture and depth to tabletops and containers.
  4. Shop with the fabric/elements you’ll be using – it takes the guesswork out of selecting complementary items and eliminates the hassle of returning things.
  5. Don’t crowd a table – provide each guest with at least 2 feet of space.
  6. There must be music.
  7. Create separate spaces for the bar, hors d’oeuvre station, etc. It will encourage guests to mix and mingle.
  8. Layer your light by using a mix of candles, fire pits, tiki torches, string lights and landscaping lights.
  9. Be proactive and ask guests about food allergies, dietary restrictions, etc.
  10. Position gently blowing fans around the table to keep flies and other bugs at bay.

Guests couldn’t help but to take in the magical surroundings during dinner.

Chasing Waterfalls

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Last September, we listened intently to the news, notably the weather forecasts. Hurricane Florence was making her way across the Atlantic and was primed to unleash her fury on the East Coast, specifically the Carolinas. It appeared our annual trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina would be canceled, as an evacuation order was put into effect. We needed to come up with Plan B.

You can discover more than 150 waterfalls within a 10-mile radius of Ithaca, New York. Pictured is Ithaca Falls Natural Area’s namesake falls. It is 175 feet wide and drops 150 feet into Cayuga Lake on whose banks six mills once operated. Their ruins are still visible. Incredibly, the falls is a short walk from Ithaca’s downtown area.

Suddenly it appeared that heading north would be the answer to saving our family vacation. But, where? We had discussed a trip to Niagara Falls in the past, so we decided to head for the U.S./Canadian border. But, before we could take off, some research was needed. The first thing we learned was that Niagara Falls is not only part of the New York State Park system, but it also holds the title as the first state park in the nation, as it dates to 1885. We were sold and decided to investigate a few other state parks along our path to Niagara. After all, New York has over 2,000 waterfalls. We quickly found ourselves planning an entire trip dedicated to chasing waterfalls.

Waterfalls are literally a force of nature. They commonly form in the upper courses of rivers that flow through mountainous regions. The Poconos, the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone and Yosemite all come to mind. Waterfalls are grouped into 10 broad classes, which are based on the average volume of water that’s present on the fall (determining factors include average flow and height). Niagara is regarded as the most powerful waterfalls in North America, hence its Class 10 ranking. Waterfalls are also categorized by type (under which are subtypes). For example, Niagara is a ledge-type waterfalls, meaning the water descends vertically over a vertical cliff, all the while it maintains partial contact with the bedrock.

Watkins Glen

One of our stops would include Watkins Glen State Park, where I looked forward to hiking the Gorge Trail. In 2015, the park was a nominee in the USA Today Readers’ Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States; it took third place. Unlike parks that feature one main waterfall, the roughly 2-mile Gorge Trail passes by 19 different falls on a beautiful series of interconnected pathways.

Cavern Cascade in Watkins Glen plunges 50 feet.

The Gorge Trail itself is a beautiful display of hand-layered stonework that guides visitors throughout the glen. Gorgeous stone staircases twist through man-made caves and across stone-arch bridges, all of which seemingly blend into the natural features of the glen. One of the most popular places in the park is definitely the narrow piece of path under the veil of the 60-foot-tall Cavern Cascade. Almost everyone stops for a quick selfie under the veil, and a few people stick their fingers into the falling water before exploding into a fit of giggles.

Montour Falls and a nearby namesake village take their names from Queen Catharine Montour, a prominent Seneca woman who lived in the area during the 18th century. The “valley of tumbling waters” regards itself as the southern gateway to the Finger Lakes region.

Montour Falls

While studying the map, I noticed a few waterfalls just south of Watkins Glen in the tiny town of Montour Falls. We stopped by two of the most notable, Montour Falls and Shequaga Falls, both of which are impressive and easily accessible from along the roadside. They made for handy stops to let the kids burn off some energy before hitting the road on the next leg of our journey, Niagara.

While Niagara Falls is impressive by day, at night they are spectacular thanks to an illumination system that paints them in a kaleidoscope of colors. The light show promises to get even better with the introduction of LED technology. During the summer, the falls are illuminated from dusk until 2 a.m. each day. Fireworks also light up the night sky over the falls each evening from June 17-September 2.

Niagara

The next morning, our first stop was the American side of Horseshoe Falls in Niagara. We wanted a quick peek before we started exploring the park. I have to say, words and photos do little to prepare you for the sheer size and power of the falls. Indeed, they are the widest and most powerful in North America. I struggle to find a comparison to standing next to them as they rumble and roar like never-ending thunder.

Our next task was to purchase our Discovery Passes, which provide the best (and most economical) way to experience all the activities of the park. You can, of course, purchase individual tickets for each activity, but if you want to do everything, this is the way to go.

With tickets in hand, we immediately began a whirlwind of activity. We geared up for the Cave of the Winds tour, for which visitors are provided with sandals and plastic bags for shoes and anything else you want to keep dry. We then boarded an elevator that took us down 175 feet to the bottom of the gorge that’s right next to Bridal Veil falls, the smallest of the three waterfalls.

This tour provides a stunning view of the American falls, where you’re free to explore the decking that partially extends over the rushing waters of the falls. For those brave enough, there’s a special extension called the “Hurricane Deck,” which allows you to step almost directly under the mighty flow of the falls. That part is optional, but the Cave of the Winds is not – it is the must-see attraction in the park.

Still damp, we made our way to the iconic Maid of the Mist tour, which has been in operation since 1846. Initially a ferry operation, the focus shifted to sightseeing when construction of a suspension bridge over the gorge began in 1848. After a few minutes onboard, we began slowly chugging our way upstream. Here is the only spot from the American side to get an absolutely stunning panoramic view of the American falls from river level. As we approached Horseshoe Falls, the mist powerfully consumed the decks of the boat. The force was so powerful that it made almost everyone on the lower deck step back from the railing and take cover.

The next day we stayed a bit drier and took the time to enjoy the trolley tour and visit the Niagara Aquarium. That evening, we paid a visit to the illuminated falls.

We were so busy seeing the sights on the American side that we didn’t even make it to the Canadian side. But, that’s OK – it leaves room for a future trip. Not a bad deal when you consider that my children still talk about it regularly.

High Falls is one of three waterfalls that define the Genesee River, which flows through Rochester, New York. The area around the 96-feet-high falls was the site of much of the city’s early industrialization.

On to Ithaca

On our return trip, we had to decide between Letchworth State Park in western New York and Robert H. Treman State Park near Ithaca. While Letchworth looks amazing, we opted to save that for another time and add a few extra stops en route to Ithaca. Those late additions included the High and Lower falls in downtown Rochester, followed by the gorge overlook at Taughannock Falls State Park and finally the Ithaca Falls Natural Area.

We arrived at Robert H. Treman State Park late in the evening and didn’t have much time to explore. We quickly took a walk over to the Lower Falls, which is used as a swimming hole during the summer months. We had heard about this, and it looked pretty sweet. It even has a diving board for that perfect summer photo floating through the air with a beautiful waterfall in the background.

I was concerned the family might not be up to another day of walking, so the next morning I ventured off alone to the top of the park and explored the 2-mile Gorge Trail that passes by 12 more waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls. Descending from the top of the park, the trail features gorgeous stone work much like Watkins Glen but with massive gorge walls that tower over head.

Deciding this was too good to miss, I headed back to rally the troops for one last hike. The best part was that we basically had the entire place to ourselves during our hike, prompting me to declare Robert H. Treman the most underrated park I’ve ever visited.

After the trip, we counted our blessings. Our friends to the south were marginally impacted by the hurricane, and our impromptu waterfalls road trip was better than we could have possibly imagined, especially given our limited emergency budget. With over 2,000 waterfalls across New York, we barely dented our waterfalls checklist and have no shortage of ideas for future trips.

This Was us

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I’m a huge fan of the show This is Us. Not only do I watch the show, but I also follow the chatter about it via social media. Response to the storylines of Season 3 was a mixed bag. A lot of people thought the storyline that followed Jack Pearson’s Vietnam experience was boring. No doubt opinions probably were defined by generational factors. For baby boomers, the episodes probably brought back a rush of memories, whether they fought in the war or took to the streets to protest the war. 

The episode that explored the draft lottery particularly triggered personal memories. I remember going to the student union at the college I attended on the morning after the lottery was conducted on December 1, 1969, only to find the walls covered in numbers. It was eerily quiet. Boys would find the numbers that corresponded to their birthdays and either hang their heads and walk away or breathe a sigh of relief. I made the sobering discovery that if I had been a male, I would have drawn the No. 4. 

Five years later, I was living and working in Washington, D.C. I was employed by the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), a trade association that  represents the interests of the nation’s independent oil and natural gas producers. It’s probably safe to say that 99.9% of those reading this have never heard of Lloyd N. Unsell, who led the organization from 1976 to 1987. However, if the name of a loved one or a friend is listed among the more than 58,000 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Mr. Unsell played a key role in making that happen. 

His story begins in Henryetta, Oklahoma. During World War II, he served overseas, writing for various Army newspapers. When he returned home to Henryetta, a resident thanked Mr. Unsell for his service by buying him a suit and a pair of dress shoes so that he would be properly dressed for job interviews. The ploy worked – he was offered a job by the newspaper Tulsa World. In 1948, he accepted a media and public relations position with IPAA, eventually moving to D.C. He became the association’s executive vice president in 1976 and its president in 1985. U.S. News & World Report once wrote that his “genial, old-shoe style” belied the “knowledge he possessed of the inner workings of Congress that few could match.”   

A few years after Mr. Unsell became IPAA’s executive vice president, a young man named Jan Scruggs became a frequent visitor to the office. As I was staring at the No. 4 back in 1969, Jan was fighting in Vietnam. He returned home to the D.C. area as a decorated veteran and got a job with the government. He also became a college student, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and intently researching post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through his research, he became aware of how important it was for veterans to receive thanks for their service. It occurred to him that a memorial could not only help to heal the scars of those who had served in Vietnam, but also those of a nation. 

In 1979, Jan took his savings – $2,800 – and founded the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. He also convinced Congress to allocate a piece of land adjacent to the National Mall for the proposed memorial and launched an unprecedented contest for its design, attracting 1,400 entries. Ultimately, a design submitted by Maya Lin, a Yale architecture major, was selected. 

Somewhere along the way, Jan met Mr. Unsell, who signed on to help with the project.  

As the memorial would be privately funded, raising money was critical. Mr. Unsell wined and dined his lobbyist cronies, as well as his friends and colleagues from the oil and gas industry in an effort to convince them to contribute to the memorial. As I was the association’s meeting coordinator, he asked me to arrange his fundraising efforts. So, I’d call a restaurant or hotel and make the arrangements. When I explained the purpose of the event, I often received an “oh” response. You know, the type that’s never ending and has a tinge of negativity attached to it. However, almost without fail, I’d soon receive a callback. The callers would apologize for their responses and explain that while they personally didn’t support the war, they supported those who fought. They would then announce that the hotel, restaurant or kitchen staff, etc., would like to make a donation to the memorial. 

In the end, Mr. Unsell was responsible for raising over $1 million of the $8.4 million that was needed to build the memorial. 

While Mr. Unsell was a proficient fundraiser, he played a critical role in keeping the project moving forward. (Needless to say, it was accompanied by its fair share of controversy.) For a time, it ground to a halt when then-Secretary of the Interior James Watt pulled the building permit. Mr. Unsell went to work behind the scenes, appealing to the White House to put politics aside and support the veterans. 

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982. Commonly called “The Wall,” it has come to embody a flood of emotions. It’s a place where many people find closure. It is one of the most-visited memorials in Washington. 

Mr. Unsell retired in 1987, moving to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, where he began writing his memoirs and helped to raise funds for a local museum and the restoration of a lighthouse. He died of complications relating to Alzheimer’s disease in 2007. 

Jan Scruggs went on to earn a law degree. He continues to support veterans’ affairs  through writing and speaking engagements. He retired as the head of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in June 2015 and serves as president emeritus.  

– Suzanne Starling-Long

No-Fuss Annuals

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Now that your beds have sprung to life, it’s time to fill in the bare spots. I’m providing a list of no-fuss annuals that provide pops of color, attract pollinators and even re-seed.

Two months ago, I recommended some plants for avid gardeners who were in search of something unusual that “no one else had.” On the flip side, there are casual gardeners who are searching for something foolproof, undemanding and will add color and cheer around their property during the summertime. For them, carefully selected annuals will fit their needs.

What follows are some suggested annuals that will not only provide color, but will also attract beneficial insect pollinators, hummingbirds and butterflies. They are all likely to be available in “six-packs” at the garden center, ready to pop in the ground. And, many will self-seed and return each year. Well, unless you insist on mulching.

All of these suggestions will do best in full or most-day sun and will tolerate average to poor soil. They are also chosen because deer, groundhogs and rabbits will not bother them.

California poppy Eschscholzia californica

This cheerful native is the state flower of California and grows on hillsides, along roadsides and in open areas from southern Washington south to northern Mexico. The poppy is a perfect choice for hot, dry areas and will grow almost anywhere without a fuss. Plant it to cover a neglected or hard-to-cultivate area. It is considered a short-lived perennial because it sometimes returns but more likely will self-seed (if not mulched!).

The mounded, fern-like, blue-green foliage is covered with single, cup-shaped and delicate bright-orange flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. (There are cultivars available in other colors including pink, red and lilac.) The flowers will close on cloudy days and at night. Deadhead the flowers regularly for additional bloom, but be sure to leave some flowers later to produce seed. If you can’t find it at the garden center, it is easy to grow from seed, preferably sown directly in the garden at the last spring frost date (mid-May). Or, spread the seed this fall for next year.

Poppies are very easy to grow in sandy or even poor soil, provided there is good drainage; therefore, they are ideal for rock or gravel gardens. There are no insect or disease problems.

Mealycup Sage Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria Blue’

I’d call this the one annual that is worthy of being in everyone’s garden. It displays showy 2-foot spikes of deep-blue flowers above gray-green foliage from early summer to frost. It is a vertical plant that goes with anything but will look especially dramatic with orange flowers (like the California poppy). It will mix with pastel colors just as well.

It is best to use purchased starts rather than starting from seed. Cut back spent flowers for continuous bloom. It attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. There are no serious insect or disease problems. It’s a good choice for clay soil and will tolerate dry spells, but it can get powdery mildew if constantly wet.

Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta

Here is another easy annual that will naturalize. Its showy yellow to orange-yellow flowers with dark-brown centers will bloom from June to September. The flowers appear on stiff, upright, 2-feet-tall stems. The leaves are rather coarse (hirta means hairy). It will survive dry spells and even grow in clay soil. It will bloom the first year from seed planted earlier, but by now, it is best to get market packs. It’s mostly pest-free although watch for slugs. It’s also ideal for mass plantings and makes a good cut flower. It’s native to the central U.S., where it grows in fields and roadsides. It attracts butterflies.

Spider flower Cleome hassleriana

Cleome has been a garden favorite since the 1800s. It is dramatic, fast-growing and at 4-feet high is suitable for the back of the border or in the middle of an island bed. It blooms without pause beginning in late June and continuing until frost. The large, globe-shaped clusters of flowers have long, protruding, thread-like stamens, thus the common name. The flowers are usually shades of pink, but cultivars are available in violet or white. Cutting off the older flowers every other week will insure fresh blooms. Later, elongated seedpods will develop below the flowers.

Spider flower grows best in full sun and in moist, well-drained soil. Although it tolerates dry conditions, watering will promote better growth and flowering, but overwatering and over fertilizing causes leggy growth.

In its native tropical habitat in South America, the pollinators of the flowers are primarily bats. Here, it will attract hummingbirds and butterflies; birds will eat the seeds later in the season. It freely self-seeds. The foliage is a bit sticky, perhaps the reason why critters won’t touch it.

Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus

Another good choice for the back of the border, this native to Mexico and the southern U.S. reaches 4-feet tall with ferny medium-green foliage and will produce non-stop flowers from late spring to frost. The flowers are red, pink or white with a yellow center. There are also cultivars with double flowers and some dwarf varieties.

Cosmos does best in average soil; actually, rich fertile soil is best avoided. Space plants close together for mutual support and protect them from strong winds. Again, deadheading the spent flowers ensures constant fresh bloom, but allow some flowers to go to seed later in season for self-seeding. It attracts butterflies. The Greek word kosmos means beautiful, and that they are.

Tall verbena Verbena bonariensis

From a basal clump of leaves arises a stiff, erect leafless stem that grows to 4-feet tall and bears clusters of tiny rose-violet flowers from mid-summer to fall. It does not need staking. This see-through plant is a butterfly magnet. Native to Argentina and Brazil, the Latin species name refers to Buenos Aires. It self-seeds moderately and should be OK for this area, although in warmer areas of the southern U.S., it has reportedly become a roadside nuisance. It occasionally gets powdery mildew.

Marigolds Tagetes patula

Marigolds have been an easy-to-grow garden favorite for generations. Although commonly called the French marigold, it is a native of Mexico. The showy yellow, orange, red and bicolor flowers attract butterflies. Deadhead spent flowers promptly for continuous fresh flowers. This is a lower-growing selection on my list for the front of the border. Pests avoid the aromatic foliage.

Larkspur Consolida ajacis (also listed as C. ambigua)

This self-seeding annual is a cool-weather bloomer that becomes dormant by June. But, if you can get some seeds from another gardener, scatter them now for a display in May of next year. The 2-foot, spiky, delphinium-like flowers that bloom above ferny foliage are usually blue-violet but are also available in mixtures of blue, pink and white. It is considered an excellent cut flower.

Rose campion Lychnis coronaria

For some punch, Rose campion or Catchfly is just the thing. Grow this annual for both its intense magenta flower color and the fuzzy foliage. The flowers perch on 2-to-3-foot stems from May to July. After that, cut the flowers back, and the silver foliage will serve as a ground cover similar to Lamb’s Ears. It’s a good choice for poor, dry or rocky soils. It will freely self-seed, but dead-heading after bloom can prevent this.

If you are puzzled that I don’t have zinnias on my list, it’s certainly not because I don’t appreciate the wonderful flowers that are available in so many colors and variations. Additionally, zinnias are without equal as cut flowers. It’s just that in my garden, if they haven’t already been chewed by roving critters, by August they often become disfigured with powdery mildew.

Planting Strategies

Grab whichever of these easy annuals you can and plant in any combination – but, please, in drifts, never in rows. By doing so, you will create a splendid “cottage-style” garden with minimal fuss. And, if you lay off the mulch, many of them will self-seed and return next year.

One more thing: Snip off the first few flowers that form. This will ensure that your new plants will branch out and become more robust.

Top 10 To-Dos for June 2019

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1 Through June 30 | Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Franklin Square

This spectacular festival is a celebration of light and culture that features magnificent steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lighted sculptures, created by hand using traditional Chinese methods. Twenty-nine larger-than-life illuminated displays made of 2,000 individual lanterns and 20,000 LED lights will glow in the square. The festival will also feature a 200-foot-long phoenix, a walk-through dragon tunnel and a host of interactive installations. Festival-goers will witness authentic cultural stage performances, such as martial arts specialists, a mysterious face changer, dancers, contortionists and jugglers.

Visitors can taste Asian cuisine and American favorites, drink a toast at the Dragon Beer Garden and shop for Chinese folk artists’ crafts as well as festival-themed merchandise. The proceeds that Historic Philadelphia, Inc., receives from the festival will provide funding for the operation and management of Franklin Square and its many free annual events. 200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia. Information: historicphiladelphia.org.

2 June 6 | Mini Pints for Pups

Twisted Bine Beer Co.

Humane Pennsylvania’s Mini Pints for Pups series is partnering with Twisted Bine Beer Co. Grab your well-behaved leashed pups and join them for a fun evening of lawn games, puppy pools and pints. You do not need to bring your dog or be a dog owner to attend this event. 93 E. Main St., Mount Joy. 4-8 p.m. Information: 610-750-6100 or humanepa.org.

3 June 15 | Lancaster County Benefit Auction

Leola Produce Auction

The Clinic for Special Children’s annual Lancaster County auction is a great day full of exciting auction items, such as handmade quilts, carriages, carts, farm sheds and more. 135 Brethren Church Rd., Leola. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 717-687-9407 or clinicforspecialchildren.org.

4 June 7-9 | Demuth Garden Party & Tour

Conestoga House

The Demuth Museum is hosting its annual fundraising event that kicks off with a Friday evening garden party – live music, a silent art auction, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails – starting at 6 p.m. and being held at Conestoga House and Gardens (1608 Marietta Ave.). The 36th annual self-guided Demuth Garden Tour will feature select Lancaster residences, offering a vast array of innovative urban gardens, distinctive architecture and unique home interiors, as well as the gardens at the Demuth Museum and Conestoga House. Reservations/tickets are required for the garden party. Advance ($18) and day-of ($20) tickets for the tour can be purchased at the museum (120 E. King St.). June 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The tour will be held rain or shine. Information: 717-299-9940 or demuth.org.

5 June | Long’s Park Summer Music Series

Long’s Park

Now in its 57th season, the Summer Music Series is regarded as a top musical entertainment destination in one of the best outdoor venues in Central PA. June’s lineup includes:

• June 2: John McEuen (founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band).
• June 8: Corty Byron & Friends (tribute to the Beatles).
• June 9: Bridges: The Ultimate EAGLES Experience.
• June 16: Allegro Orchestra Lancaster (tribute to the Superheroes of orchestral music).
• June 23: Liz Vice (70s funk/soul and indie rock).
• June 30: United States Army Band followed by fireworks.

All concerts are free and are held rain or shine (with only thunderstorms and dangerously high winds canceling the event) and begin at 7:30 p.m. Route 30 & Harrisburg Pike. Information: 717-735-8883 or longspark.org.

6 June 15-23 | Building Industry Association 2019 Parade of Homes

Various locations

Discover the latest trends in design, décor, creative floor plans and more at this year’s annual event being held weekdays from 5-8 p.m. and on weekends from 12-6 p.m. View the amazing craftsmanship of local building professionals. This year’s event also includes two new categories: apartments and renovations. Information: 717-569-2674 or lancasterparadeofhomes.com.

7 June 11-13 | Family Farm Days

Oregon Dairy

This community event helps to increase the awareness of the important role of farms and agri-business in the area. Family Farm Days provides educational, first-hand experiences on a third-generation, family-owned dairy farm. The Lancaster County Agriculture Council and The Farmstead at Oregon Dairy work together to present this agricultural outreach initiative that promotes the value of modern agriculture. Sample food, view ag exhibits and enjoy family fun, such as tractor and wagon rides, scavenger hunts, Barnyard Theatre presentations and more. 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz. Daily from 10 a.m. Information: 717-656-2856 or oregondairy.com.

8 June 22 | Ephrata Brewfest

Whistle Stop Plaza

Enjoy food, live music and various brews at this year’s 4th annual brewfest. Nearly two dozen brewers are expected to participate. All proceeds from the Ephrata Brewfest support the Ephrata Public Library, Ephrata Rec Center and Mainspring of Ephrata. Tickets and valid photo IDs are required. Must be 21. 20 E. Main St., Ephrata. 1-4 p.m. Information: 717-738-9291 or ephratabrewfest.com.

9 June 1-8 | Lancaster Water Week

Various locations

Water Week celebrates the unique waterways of Lancaster County by educating people about the challenges we face and opportunities we can create and encouraging people to take action in their watersheds and communities. With over 20 events during the week, there are plenty of opportunities for you and your family to get involved. Information: lancasterwaterweek.org/events.

10 June 28 | Celebrate Lancaster

Downtown Lancaster

Regarded as the kick-off to Fourth of July festivities, this celebration of culture and diversity features two stages of live entertainment, more than 20 food vendors, two pub areas and fireworks. For the first time, Celebrate Lancaster will have its own signature beer, Celebrate Lancaster Ale, brewed by Spring House Brewing Company. Penn and Lancaster squares. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Information: 717-291-4758 or visitlancastercity.com.

Discover the Barrens

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Hidden along the southern border of Pennsylvania are four preserves with a feature that might be unfamiliar to you. These preserves are known as serpentine barrens, and they are unlike anything you’ve seen in this part of the country.

These areas are unique because of the presence of serpentine rock. This greenish, waxy rock is believed to be bedrock from ancient sea beds that was pushed to the surface over time. Serpentine lacks the rich nutrients of the soil we’re accustomed to here in Lancaster County. While the unique toxicity of the ground doesn’t suit all plants, it still allows for a variety of plant and insect species to survive in the sometimes-harsh environment. In fact, some can only be found in the barrens. As such, it creates a landscape similar to that of the desert and prairie-like areas out West.

My favorite place to take in the beauty of the barrens has to be Nottingham County Park in Chester County. The park is monitored and maintained by on-site park rangers who are very helpful and knowledgeable about this unique area. Throughout the year, the park offers a variety of educational and entertaining events as well as playgrounds, ponds, pavilions, paved trails, rugged trails and more. We find ourselves here regularly.

The park’s serpentine outcropping measures 1 square mile, making it one of the largest barrens on the East Coast. It features former feldspar and serpentine quarries, as well as chromite ore mines. In 2004, the National Park Service deemed it a National Natural Landmark.

In order to protect the unique species that live in the park, the environment is maintained through controlled burns and other methods of preservation. That gives the park the most profound desert-like feel out of each of the barrens.

Be sure to keep an eye on the ground and see if you can spot the serpentine rocks. The ground is riddled with unique and eye-catching stones, but make sure you leave them in the park for others to find when you’re done for the day.

Other Chester County barrens include the Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens, which is part of the State-Line Serpentine Barrens near Nottingham, and Chrome Serpentine Barrens (Oxford), both of which are managed by The Nature Conservancy. They feature rugged trails through a combination of woods and barrens. (Note: These trails can be strenuous and are recommended only for more-experienced hikers.)

Lancaster County is home to the most rugged of the barrens – Rock Springs Preserve, which is located in Peach Bottom and is managed by the Lancaster Conservancy. The barrens’ ruggedness provides an excellent habitat for butterflies, birds and other small game.

One important thing to remember on your visit to any of the barrens is due to the desert-like atmosphere, temperatures can be as much as 10 degrees warmer than the surrounding area. Be sure to bring along a wide-brimmed hat and plenty of water. Bring a thermometer and test it yourself!

Details: Chesco.org, Lancasterconservancy.org, Nature.org.

Tweaking the Party Table

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If you’re bringing out the same linens and napkins you’ve used year after year, it’s probably time for a refresher. We know just the place …

A look that could span a variety of occasions includes fabric inspired by watercolor that makes for an elegant napkin, while a gray/navy/white tweed fabric delivers a table-top statement.

Special Occasions & Queen Street Linens has been dressing the tables of Lancaster’s most memorable, splashy parties for 37 years. For 30 of those years, Claudia Himes, the daughter of the company’s founder, Marcie Woodson, has been at the epicenter of the rental and custom linens business, finely honing her skills at tabletop fashion. However, her knowledge goes much deeper than selecting pretty fabrics: seams must be properly matched and aligned, and cloths must be thrown with precision alignment. Then, there are the details of folding, tying, underpinning and swagging to get just the right look for the party.

They are skills that Claudia loves to share with her clients, who range from the grand dames of charity balls to ingenue hostesses who are throwing their first social events or even planning their weddings. When Special Occasions offers an open house to showcase its latest collection of fabrics, it’s indeed a special occasion that attracts over 100 guests from throughout Pennsylvania, as well as Maryland and Delaware.

The effervescent Claudia Himes injects her contagious energy into all things tabletop.

At their recent open house, Claudia and her staff introduced their freshest finds. “We want to show different ways of thinking about linens beyond the event world as we celebrate our craft,” she explains.

From among hundreds of fabrics that are presented to Claudia and her team by representatives from the textile companies following their debut at High Point Market in North Carolina, several are carefully chosen each season to be pre-washed, meticulously pressed and seamlessly sewn to be included in Special Occasions’ extensive inventory. “Some choices are driven by a client’s need to outfit a future party,” says Claudia. Others are selected for their practicality. “Many of our college and university clients’ colors include navy,” Claudia explains of her choice of a beautiful metallic, ginkgo-leaf print woven on a navy background.

Guests at a recent open house were able to see the latest table linens as well as receive lessons in how to take them to the next level through pinning and swagging methods.

And, some selections are simply reflections of the current fashion trends, while others are based on intuition. “I’m sensing a gentle step away from rustic to a more urban feel,” Claudia predicts. “Not as much burlap in a barn but introducing more elegant linens into that rustic setting, like damask and sequins.” Creating some visual “tension” is a good thing, she observes. “Make the party dressed-up to say you care, but not so flashy that guests are intimidated and feel they don’t belong,” she says.

In her 30 years of experience, Claudia sees one constant: “Every host and hostess has the incredible role of making guests feel comfortable.” And of course, that’s what Special Occasions is all about: “No party is too small to do right. Always dress the part.”

Here are some out-of-the-box inspirations to consider for your upcoming party:

Pop Culture

Game of Thrones gets elevated to elegant with a woodgrain linen, chairs dressed in fur and chain, and a table accessorized with rustic candelabras, thorny branches and moody, deep-purple florals.

Haute Couture

Delicate organza roses, handmade by the Special Occasions team, cascade over gold organza for a hand-sewn, one-of-a-kind linen. Imagine this on your cake, champagne or entrance table!

Art

Urban landscape paintings by retired Millersville University professor Robert Andriulli set the color story for an unexpected combination of aubergine with an “Indian Summer” botanical print in coral, moss and soft teal.

Recycle and Repurpose

What does a linens company do with scores of leftover scraps of fabric? Its colleagues create comforters, braided rugs and pieced tablecloths with borders, like this collage of blue tones, patterns and textures. Special Occasions routinely donates the ends of fabric bolts to Mennonite Central Committee, for seamstresses to repurpose, and NuLife at Nimble Thimble, where at-risk women are taught to sew.

Details: Specialo.com

FROM MINING TO MISSILES

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How does one go from laboring deep in the earth to designing technology that’s capable of powering missiles into space? Al Kashner of Elizabethtown did just that and says tenacity, hard work and a love of what he was doing helped him to accomplish his second act … with a few detours along the way.

After sustaining a serious injury while working in a coal mine, Al Kashner furthered his education, went to work for AMP and then co-founded Advanced Conversion Technology (ACT), which is now based in Middletown.

Al, who was born in 1934, was raised in Sagon, near Shamokin. Mining was in his blood – three generations of his family before him worked in the mines. According to Al, “It may go back even further than that.”

Being the eldest son of Clarence “Mooch” Kashner, an independent miner and owner of Kashner Coal Company, it was expected that Al would one day become a part of his father’s business.

Al’s mining mementos include a miner’s canary cage, which was used to provide warning of the presence of toxic gases like carbon monoxide and methane. Canaries were known to be more sensitive than both humans and other animals such as mice. They would show visible distress and sway on their perches in the presence of low concentrations of carbon monoxide before toppling over.

Mooch was well known in the Pennsylvania mining industry. In 1957, he was named president of the Independent Miners Breakermen and Truckers Association of Shamokin. He was influential enough to be appointed state mine inspector by Gov. William Scranton in 1965. A book has been written about him, Mooch’s Memories, by Kathy Vetovich, Al’s niece. He was also profiled in many magazine and newspaper articles during his 52-year career. Miners trapped underground waiting for help were documented to have said, “I hope Mooch is heading our rescue mission.” When he retired in 1981, it was clear no one knew more about mining than Mooch. Al knew he had big shoes to fill!

As a high school student, Al elected to take a vo-tech course in electronics and drafting. He was wise enough to recognize this technology was coming into focus and thought it would be interesting to learn. But, he knew in reality he would go directly into mining after high school, just as his family members did before him.

The view from inside a mine.

So, in 1952, after working for a short time in Philadelphia for a company that recycled Army tanks, Al went to work at the Kashner Coal Company. He remembers being a healthy and strapping young man back then and says, “There was nothing about mining I didn’t like or couldn’t handle.”

Unfortunately, a few years after joining the family business, the mine closed due to “taking on” water. By this time, Al was married with several children and being aware of his responsibilities, he took a truck-driving job that saw him deliver kitchen cabinets all over the eastern U.S.

Al didn’t like being separated from his family for long stretches, so he ended up back in the mines working for The West Cameron Coal Company. During his tenure with West Cameron, Al sustained a life-altering leg injury that would change his life forever. Al jokes, “It was the best ‘break’ of my life.”

A miner’s safety lamp was designed to shield the naked flame from potentially explosive mixtures of methane and oxygen.

After five months of wearing a hip-to-ankle cast, and following six months of therapy, it was clear Al would need to prepare for a new career. With his high school courses in electronics and drafting to his credit, he enrolled at Williamsport Technical Institute (now part of Pennsylvania College of Technology) to further his education.

Al says, “It was tough competing for good grades with kids almost half my age.” Still living in Shamokin, he would leave home early on Mondays and head for Williamsport, where he drove school buses and attended classes in-between shifts. On Fridays, he would return home to spend the weekend with his family and repeat it all over again the following Monday. He did this for two years until he graduated from WTI.

Al was then hired by AMP, Inc. in Elizabethtown as an electronics draftsman, designing power supplies. He moved his family to Elizabethtown; by now he and his wife, Mary, had five children.

After 16 years with AMP, the company decided to phase out its power-supply line, citing it was no longer profitable to produce. Recognizing an opportunity, Al, along with six other forward-thinking, resourceful men who also worked at AMP (Louis Reis, Meade Bierly, George Richards, Charles Fendrich, Paul Wilcox and Robert Kirker), decided to form their own company. In 1981, the seven men opened Advanced Conversion Technology (ACT) in Elizabethtown.

Al’s niece, Kathy Vetovich, wrote a book about his father, Clarence “Mooch” Kashner, whose mining tools and other artifacts can be seen at the Anthracite Mining Museum at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysberg.

ACT grew at a steady rate, making it necessary to relocate to a site that could house all their operations under one roof. The move took ACT to the Middletown area.

ACT’s sophisticated technology is helping to keep America and American interests around the world safe. For example, ACT’s military-grade power supplies power helicopters (Black Hawk and Apache), ground vehicles (HIRE, Warrior and HUMVEE), shipboards (Trident subs), missiles (Patriot, Hawk and Sidewinder), helmets and laser designators. ACT’s products can also be found in the air (UAV, F-18, NAV-FLIR, F-14, F-15).

The ornamental cutouts were made by ACT to represent the role the company plays in keeping members of the military safe.

At 84, Al is retired but remains an owner of ACT. Now, he devotes his time to following his favorite sports teams. “I love all sports,” he shares. But, he admits he has a special place in his heart for football, naming Notre Dame and the Philadelphia Eagles as his favorite teams. He’s held Eagles season tickets for more than 42 years.

He also enjoys visiting the Anthracite Mining Museum at Knoebels Amusement Resort, where his father’s extensive collection of mining tools and artifacts can be found. The museum was once featured on the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum.

Amaro … A Bittersweet Adventure

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My personal discovery of amaro led to the revelation of an entirely new course in dining, an experience I never knew was missing, but one that I now consider to be remarkably necessary. It was as though someone had hidden this divine secret, tucked away as a buried treasure, and then suddenly handed me the map.

Amaro, or amari in the plural form, is the Italian word for “bitter” and the general classification of herbal digestif liqueurs. It’s made by macerating ingredients such as citrus, dried fruits and herbs (fresh and dried) to create an experience full of nuance and flavor. Where an aperitivo is enjoyed before a meal, amaro is intended for ingesting after a hearty meal. A small pour atones for the sins of indulgence.

Ray Isle, writing in the June 2017 issue of Food & Wine magazine, described it as “silky like liqueur, bitter and sweet in varying degrees, aromatically complex, and both delicious and fascinating.” I couldn’t agree more with that assessment.

In making amari, I utilized recipes from B.T. Parson’s book, Amaro: The Spirited World of Bittersweet, Herbal Liqueurs, including “Rite of Spring” (left/yellow) and “Summer Solstice” (right/red).

Unbound by rules and guided by centuries of tradition, most amari are produced in Italy, though liqueurs such as Jägermeister from Germany also fit the bill. They’re a rarity elsewhere, which is enthralling for the rest of us, as a wonderful new journey is afoot.

A Ball Mason jar with 151 proof Everclear and macerated ingredients, including dried cherries, orange and lemon zest, basil, sage and ground dry herbs.

As one might expect to find with sausages and cured meats, amaro ingredients are centric to regions and family recipes. Just as there are probably thousands of unique pasta sauce recipes floating around Italy, the same applies to amari. Flavor profiles span a wide gamut, and all are rightly within the amaro category, ranging from sweet botanicals and juicy citruses to earthy, smoky and bone-dry varieties.

As for alcohol content, it can range from wine low to whiskey high – roughly 15 to 40% to put a number on it – and the layers of complexity surpass any other spirited drink I’ve ever tried. A little goes a long way and akin to a robust, flavorful espresso, these are sippers.

Layers of Flavor

Almost any amaro will be full of dimension in a way that makes the most complex whiskey or wine seem simple. Being a fan of bourbon and rye whiskeys, I love picking apart a drink layer by layer. The depth of any amaro can be measured by its recipe, which can contain recognizable ingredients such as citrus, artichoke, dried fruits and berries, nuts, lemongrass, cardamom pods, mint, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, licorice, peppercorn, ginger, hops, rosemary, thyme, sage and juniper berries.

Less-common ingredients include wormwood, Angelica root, wild cherry bark, hyssop, anise seeds and pine needles, to name only a few. Notes of coffee, cocoa, molasses, smoke, honey and menthol are a sampling of predominant flavors that mature with each sip.

There’s much to appreciate and digest as you traverse generations of amaro history, which dates back to ancient Rome. By the 1800s, it came to be viewed throughout Italy as a health tonic. Today, it could be considered the toast of Italy’s slow-food movement. How could such a splendor exist for so long and yet remain so unknown? Where would my proverbial treasure map to amari lead me?

Taylor Made

In many ways, that answer is Taylor Mason, chef and proprietor of LUCA. Taylor recounts a trip to Italy eight years ago, during which he returned a lost wallet to its owner. Serendipitously, the two spent the rest of that fateful evening delving into the world of amaro: a crash course for Taylor and a linchpin moment for the rest of us. A wallet and reciprocated generosity served as the genesis that put amaro on the map in Lancaster.

A mortar and pestle with dry ingredients for a summer amaro recipe, including wild cherry bark, dried orange peel, anise seeds and grains of paradise.

As a result of adding amaro to the menu, LUCA joined the ranks of bars and restaurants across the U.S. that have tapped into the amaro obsession. But, what sets LUCA apart in regards to amaro is that its peers are located in major metropolitan areas.

The amaro selection at LUCA is impressive. It’s also adventurous. For example, after dessert, where one might be torn between an amaro and an after-dinner caffè, the Italians have a compromise: the affogato. As the English translation infers, creamy gelato is “drowned” in hot espresso with amaro on the side. LUCA’s version of “Affogato Corretto” is served with a scoop of gelato, hot espresso and a small pour of Amaro Sibona, offering notes of dry cherry cola, orange peel and botanicals.

Supply & Demand

If I can find it, I’ll bring a bottle of Montenegro Amaro to dinner parties as an introduction. But, therein lies the problem. Finding any given bottle of amaro on shelves in a local Fine Wine & Good Spirits store can be extraordinarily difficult, although some varieties can be ordered. For example, a year ago, in searching for bottles of Montenegro Amaro, I had to travel beyond Lancaster County to find it. I hit the mother lode when employees at a shop I visited near Philadelphia were able to track down an unopened case hidden in the back, enabling me to return home with several trophies in hand.

The amaro of the month chalkboard at LUCA, featuring Amaro dell’Etna, “follows the 100-year-old traditional recipe … from a selection of over 15 herbs and aromatic plants.”

Economically speaking, I suspect its scarcity has to do with the law of supply and demand. I would hope that as demand grows, the better the chances that stores will stock it. While LUCA offers a brilliant array, it would be nice to have a stash on hand at home for everything from get-togethers with friends to quiet moments of solitude.

Making Amaro at Home

Brad Thomas Parsons, who is an authority on amaro, spoke recently at LUCA. Parsons is a recipient of a James Beard Award, and his book, Amaro: The Spirited World of Bittersweet, Herbal Liqueurs, is a splendid resource that contains profiles of commercially available amari, as well as details cocktail and homemade amari recipes.

Brad Thomas Parsons, a James Beard Award-winning author, speaks on the topic of amaro at LUCA.

I’ve long wanted to make my own amaro and seeing as how I’m generation one in this newfound venture (as opposed to the fifth or sixth generation of a proud Italian family producer), I kept things simple. From the recipes in Parsons’ book, I put together a shopping list and headed for Lancaster Central Market, which provided one-stop shopping for most of my amaro needs.

You’ll need an assortment of citrus fruits and fresh herbs from Brogue Hydroponics, as well as dried herbs from The Herb Shop. I found the rarer varieties of wild cherry bark, wormwood and seeds of paradise at nearby Herbs from the Labyrinth.

LUCA bar manager Dan Zeidersand works the bar as James Beard Award-winning author B.T. Parsons prepares to speak.

Upon discovering that 1 ounce of each dry ingredient is enough for multiple batches of homemade amaro, I bought another bottle of Everclear (my base spirit of choice) and whipped up a second recipe.

As the saying goes, patience is a virtue, and that applies to amaro. After grinding dry ingredients with a mortar and pestle, macerated ingredients are left to steep for a few weeks after which simple syrup joins the party as your dilution of choice.

An American Revolution in Amaro

Ray Isle also wrote in his article that American mixologists have developed a passion for amaro and are not only creating their own recipes, but are also using their signature amari as the base for cocktails.

In March, Philadelphia Distilling released “Vigo Amaro.” Aptly, it’s named in honor of the Italian-born American, Francis Vigo, a principal financier of the American Revolution. The dried-plum profile is centric to many different serving experiences. Served neat, the amaro pours as Christmas in a bottle, heavy on plum and molasses with spicy, earthy characteristics. It begs to be paired with, or perhaps soaked into, a gingerbread cake.

The “Affogato Corretto,” at LUCA, served with a scoop of gelato, hot espresso and a small pour of Amaro Sibona, offering notes of dry cherry cola, orange peel and botanicals.

In a cocktail, the intense flavors brighten and mellow.

Head distiller, Aaron Selya, who developed Vigo Amaro over the past four years, enjoys 1 ounce of Vigo with 4 ounces of soda or seltzer water, explaining, “It’s simple, but diluting it like that really changes what flavors are more and less forward in the spirit.” It’s also great as a substitute for vermouth in a Manhattan: 1 ounce of Vigo and 2 ounces of whiskey.

One curious consideration Selya himself proposed: What would Italians think of this, an American-made amaro? Well, I’m not Italian, but I, for one, am sold.

Trails to Tables

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June is the perfect month to explore the many trails that now exist in Lancaster County. Marietta restaurant owner Freddy States is of the opinion that Lancaster County’s trails and the foodie movement beautifully complement each other. “People have become more health conscious,” he notes. “They can come here and walk or bike the trail and then enjoy one of our restaurants.” As you can see, many restaurants are in close proximity to the various trails.

Northwest Lancaster County River Trail

A Sampling of Trails

There are more than a dozen trails that dot the county, with several of those being rail trails. Rail trails were created along the abandoned railroad lines that once passed through the area. These trails are perfect for hiking, biking, walking, jogging, skating and more. The various park systems and organizations, such as the Lancaster County Conservancy, operate greenways and preserves that are conducive to outdoor activities.

Pennsylvania is actually one of the premier states that helped to launch the construction of rail trails. The Keystone State has over 100 rail trails consisting of more than 900 miles. Below are some of the trails you’ll find located within the county:

1 Chickies Rock Overlook Trail: (0.9-mile loop trail) Enjoy amazing views of the Susquehanna River and the surrounding communities of Columbia, Wrightsville and Marietta. Located at both River Front Park and on Furnace Road, Chiques Rock Outfitters offers rock climbing and kayaking packages as well as bicycle rentals. This trail mostly consists of dirt and gravel with some paved areas.

2Conestoga Greenway Trail: (1.3 miles) The paved multi-use trail extends from Conestoga Drive near Bridgeport to Lancaster County Central Park at the South Duke Street bridge and runs along the Conestoga River. Visitors says it’s great for hiking, biking, inline skating and walking your furry friends.

3Conewago Recreation Trail: (5 miles) This trail is located between Route 230 and the Lebanon County line, northwest of Elizabethtown. Formerly known as the Cornwall-Lebanon rail line, it follows the Conewago Creek through scenic farmland and woodlands. The trail is great for hiking, jogging, biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Wheelchair accessible except for the intersection crossing at Mill Road.

4Dean L. Saylor Park: (1.2 miles) The park’s linear trail extends through Warwick Township and Lititz Borough. Consisting of asphalt and crushed stone, the trail is great for biking, inline skating, walking and cross-country skiing. It also features scenic landscape, playgrounds, farms and natural areas.

5Enola Low Grade Trail: (Approximately 27.6 miles in Lancaster & Chester counties) This riverside gem travels along the Susquehanna River and runs through several townships and communities, including Manor, Conestoga, Martic, Eden and Quarryville. Trail enthusiasts can enjoy biking, walking and cross-country skiing on this crushed stone trail. Visitors will also take notice of the many scenic views, including a 1947 restored caboose.

6Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail: (2.3 miles) This trail was formerly a part of the Reading-Columbia rail line. It runs between the hamlet of Lancaster Junction and Route 283 and past scenic farmland and beautiful meadows. The crushed-stone trail is ideal for biking, horseback riding (at a slow and steady pace) and walking.

7Middle Creek Trail: (1.25 miles) This gravel trail follows the path that was once the trolley line between Ephrata and Lebanon. It follows alongside Middle Creek and is covered in tall oak trees. Other trails crisscross this trail as well. Enjoy walking, hiking and viewing nature on
this trail.

8Northwest Corridor Linear Park: (0.7 miles) This trail can be found in Lancaster City between Harrisburg Pike and the 200 Block of West Lemon Street. The paved trail, also known as Mayor Janice P. Stork Corridor Park, has picnic tables and benches scattered throughout as well as a park area and small basketball court
alongside it.

9Northwest Lancaster County River Trail: (14.2 miles) This trail provides a scenic route for bike enthusiasts, inline skating, walking, cross-country skiing and fishing. The trail, which runs along the Susquehanna River from Columbia to Falmouth, is paved with a few areas made of crushed stone. Visitors will enjoy viewing historic ruins like the iron furnaces, timeworn canal locks and an old quarry.

10Warwick to Ephrata Rail-Trail: (approximately 7.5 miles) Sitting on an abandoned stretch of the former Reading & Columbia rail line, this trail passes through the communities of Lititz, Warwick Township, Ephrata and Akron. Visitors will enjoy scenic farmland views, historical sites, locally owned shops, restaurants and produce stands. The trail consists of asphalt, crushed stone and gravel.

Enola Low Grade Trail

2&8LANCASTER

Luca, lucalancaster.com

Penny’s Ice Cream, pennysicecreamtruck.com

Splits & Giggles, splitsandgiggles.com

Fresh Farms Café, freshfarmslancaster.com

The Fridge, beerfridgelancaster.com

Red Rose Tavern, redrosetavern.com

Oka Asian Fusion, okaasianfusion.com

Mr. Bill’s Seafood, mrbillsseafood.com

Checkers Bistro, checkersbistro.com

Callaloo Trinidadian Kitchen, callalootrinidadiankitchen.com

Conestoga Restaurant, conestogarestaurant.com

The Brasserie, lancasterbrasserie.com

5 QUARRYVILLE/THE SOUTHERN END

The Daily Grind, dailygrindquarryville.com

Maplehofe Dairy, maplehofedairy.com

Dottie’s Snack Bar, Facebook

Quarryville Family Restaurant, Facebook

Sam’s New York Style Pizza & Italian Restaurant, samspizzaquarryville.com

Village Pizza, villagepizzaquarryville.com

CR Lapp’s Family Restaurant, crlappsfamilyrestaurant.com

Son’s, sonsice.com

Pour Girls, pourgirlsrestaurant.com

Conestoga Wagon Restaurant, theconestogawagon.com

Rocky B’s Ice Cream & Hot Food, Facebook

Frogtown Café, Facebook

7&10 EPHRATA/STEVENS

Olde Lincoln House, oldelincolnhouse.com

Dutchmaid Deck, Facebook

The Udder Choice, Facebook

Brewster’s Bar-B-Que, brewstersbarbq.com

Griddle and Grind, griddle-grind-cafe.business.site

Foxchase Golf Club, foxchasegolf.com

3 ELIZABETHTOWN

T. J. Rockwells, tjrockwells.com

Lucky Ducks Bar & Grille, luckyducksbarandgrille.com

Black Gryphon, blackgryphon84.com

Country Meadows Restaurant, countrymeadowsrestaurant.food93.com

Folklore Coffee & Co., folklorecoffee.com

Northwest Lancaster County River Trail

1&5 COLUMBIA/MANOR TOWNSHIP

Turkey Hill Experience, turkeyhillexperience.com

Bully’s Restaurant and Pub, bullys-restaurant.com

The Flour Child, theflourchild.com

Union Station Grill, unionstationgrill.net

Smith’s Hotel, Facebook

Black Olive Family Diner,

blackolivefamilydiner.com

Central Manor Bakery and Grille, centralmanorbakery.com

Hinkles, hinklesrestaurant.com

6 MANHEIM/EAST PETERSBURG

Forklift & Palate, forkliftandpalate.com

The Cat’s Meow, thecatsmeowmanheim.com

The Shack Restaurant & Mini Golf, theshackmanheim.com

Brickhouse Café Manheim, Facebook

Kountry Kitchen, kountrykitchenrest.com

Chancey’s Pub, chanceyspub.net

1&9 MARIETTA/BAINBRIDGE

McCleary’s Pub, mcclearyspub.com

Heart Café, heartcafemarietta.com

Nick’s Bistro, nicksbistromarietta.com

Shank’s Tavern, shankstavern.com

Pig Iron Brewing Co., pigironbrewingco.com

Stanley’s Trail Side, stanleystrailside.com

Little Italy, Facebook

GiGi’s Ice Cream Bar (seasonal), 717-314-9540

Railroad House Inn, railroadhouseinn.com

4&10 LITITZ/MANHEIM TOWNSHIP

Bull’s Head Public House, bullsheadpublichouse.com

Rooster Street Butcher, roosterst.com

The Sutter, atthesutter.com

Tomato Pie Café, tomatopiecafe.net

JoBoy’s Brew Pub, joboysbrewpub.com

Appalachian Brewing Company, abcbrew.com/brew-pubs/lititz

Gravie Kitchen + Commons, itsgravie.com

Café Chocolate of Lititz, chocolatelititz.com

Brickerville House Family Restaurant, brickervillehouserestaurant.com

Zig’s Bakery, zigsbakery.com

Lititz Family Cupboard, lititzfamilycupboard.com/restaurant-buffet

Greco’s Italian Ices & Homemade Ice Cream, Facebook

Isabella’s Ice Cream Parlor, isabellasic.com

Stoner Grille, stonercommons.com

 

Be sure to pick up our sister publication, Dining in Lancaster County, for more outdoor ideas as well as restaurants that specialize in farm-to-table fare.

 

For a complete listing of Lancaster County Trails, go to Lancasterconservancy.org

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