CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

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Damage Control

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The late-winter storm that blew through Lancaster County caused incredible damage in many areas. Property owners are now faced with the fact that trees will need to be replaced. What follows is advice on making that determination and taking the necessary steps to replace a tree.

The unusual late-February storm caused widespread damage, particularly in northern areas where tornado-like, 90-mile-per-hour winds leveled barns and outbuildings and closed many roads for days due to huge trees that were uprooted. New roofs and building repairs are evident across that area of the county. Many of us will be spending the summer cleaning up our properties.

For homeowners who have trees with extensive limb damage, but can be saved aesthetically with proper pruning and management, or are in need of expert advice on whether a tree has become a hazard, be sure to contact a certified arborist. International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) professionals must pass extensive examinations and keep abreast of developments by attending seminars. Ask for their ID to make certain you have the benefit of a recognized professional. Also, confirm that they are insured.

Selecting Your New Tree (or Shrub) at the Nursery

Assuming you are selecting and planting a replacement tree yourself, I offer some caveats. Even if you are having the nursery do the planting for you (perhaps with larger specimens), I would strongly advise you to be present to oversee the process. Despite new thinking in the past decade, older planting practices often persist.

Depending on the nursery, the tree or shrub you select will either be in a container or with a root ball that is covered with burlap material. This is called “B&B” – balled and burlapped – in the trade.

We are naturally inclined to want to get the largest tree (height-wise) that we can afford, but it is a mistake to make a choice on that basis. It is the vigor of the roots that is most important. Often a smaller specimen will do better over the long term. A smaller, more vigorous plant will actually settle into your soil faster than larger, more expensive choices. Younger trees and shrubs have better chances of survival.

When shopping for containerized trees and shrubs, always slip the plant out of the container at the nursery to inspect the roots (if the salesperson objects, go somewhere else). The roots should be a light tan and not brown or dried-up. The plant should not be pot bound or have circling roots. Remember, too, if the plant was recently repotted, you are paying more for the larger pot size, not a larger root system.

Beware of weeds growing in the container. I have spent years trying to get rid of Bishop’s weed  (Aegopodium podagraria) that  tagged along unnoticed in a nursery pot.

Most nurseries are very vigilant, and it is unlikely you will buy a plant with a worrisome pest or disease. However, beware of notches in leaves that might indicate chewing insects hiding in the foliage that are hard to control. On the other hand, it is not unusual to have some leaves with spots of mildew, for instance, because nursery plants are often packed in tight rows and are subject to overwatering.

Planting Your Tree

Water container-grown plants thoroughly and allow them to drain prior to planting.

Remove your plant from the container and inspect the root ball for circling roots. Tease these out to encourage lateral growth. Many arborists advise cutting vertically about an inch deep around the root ball to encourage new root growth.

Dig a square hole at least 3 times the root ball’s width, but only as deep as the bottom of the root ball. There is no need to go deeper.

Square? Experts point out that roots follow the sides of a square hole until they reach the corners where they are forced to grow into undisturbed soil. In a round planting hole, they can circle and never grow out. Do not loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole. However, if you have heavy soil, ensure the sides of the hole are not firm but loose.

It is very important to find the root flare – the point at the base of the trunk from which the topmost roots emerge. You might have to expose it by scraping some soil from the top of the root ball. The root flare should be level with the undisturbed ground or even 2 inches higher to allow for settlement. If it is sitting too low, add soil underneath the root ball until it is at the right level. This is very important. A common mistake we home gardeners make is planting trees too deep. As a result, they suffer from lack of oxygen and expand slowly since most new roots grow sideways in the top 12 inches of soil.

If the tree is B&B, cut the cords and remove any burlap that remains exposed so that the ball of soil is fully exposed. The small amount of fabric under the root ball will decompose. You might be told that it is unnecessary to remove the burlap, but this is bad advice for several reasons. These days the fabric and cords are not always natural burlap, but rather burlap-appearing plastic materials that will never decompose, thus preventing the normal growth of the roots. The tree will be doomed. Additionally, if some of the wrapped burlap remains above ground, it acts as a wick and draws moisture from the root ball.

The loosened roots should be spread out evenly all around.

It is no longer recommended to add either fertilizer or extra organic matter to the planting hole. Enriching the area around the root ball discourages roots from exploring sideways and delays establishment.

Be sure the tree is upright by inspecting it at a distance from all directions. Pack the soil over the roots a few inches at a time and be sure to eliminate any air pockets by sifting the soil between the roots and firm the soil with your fist. Finally, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

Smaller trees probably do not need stakes or even minimal support. Swaying in the wind slightly actually stimulates root vigor. Stakes for larger specimens do not need to be more than 2 feet above the ground. It is best to use two upright stakes on opposite sides of the trunk, inserted beyond the side of the root ball. Secure with a padded tie to minimize bark injury.

If your garden is visited by deer, be sure to protect the trunks of young trees from rutting in early fall with some sort of tree guard or temporary plastic fencing.

I’d also encourage you to re-read my article on proper mulching practice. You can find it at lancastercountymag.com.

My Favorite Shade Trees

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is my strongest recommendation because it is tough and tolerant of many growing conditions and has a brilliant deep-red fall color. ‘Red Sunset’ and many other cultivars are available.

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) displays beautiful fall colors of yellow, orange and red. It requires rich soils and is not as tolerant of our hot summers as red maple.

White oak (Quercus alba) should be in every large garden! Unfortunately, it is difficult to find at nurseries.

Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) tolerates many soil types and delivers dark-red fall color.

Pin oak (Quercus palustris) is a fast grower with a pyramidal shape. It tolerates wet soil. Remember the lower branches will descend.

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) tolerates pollution and compacted soil and delivers gorgeous red fall color.

Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is long-lived, large and slow-growing. Like all oaks, the acorns are of major benefit to wildlife.

Linden (Tilia americana) is regal and wide-spreading.  A favorite of honey bees.

Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is stately with upright habit, provides stunning golden fall color, and magnolia-like orange, yellow and green flowers in late spring.

Gingko (Gingko biloba) is the oldest tree on earth, unchanged for 200 million years. It’s tolerant and pest free. Fan-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall and drop all at once. Perfect for urban environments. But, buy only trees labeled as male; females produce messy, stinky fruit. ‘Princeton Sentry’ and ‘Autumn Gold’ are good choices.

Do not be seduced by “fast-growing” trees like the wretched Bradford pear or silver maple. They will often have poor branching structure, age poorly and eventually split in ice storms.

Kathy Frey Designing Woman

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The stores! Fresh air! Penn Square! On a Sunday in March, Lancaster’s fashionistas agreed you can “keep Manhattan” and give them the Red Rose City! Fashion Week may rule New York in February, but Lancaster was the place to be in early March, when Kathy Frey, owner of Festoon, unveiled her own fashion line, Selga.

Selga is a dream come true for Kathy. “I’ve dreamed about my own clothing line for a long time,” she explains. While Kathy has “always had her finger in the apparel world,” she has been enmeshed in all-things design since she was a child. “My mom made all my clothes,” she says. “She also knitted and crocheted,” she adds, speculating her own creative talents are genetically gifted.

Growing up on a farm in Manheim helped to foster Kathy’s love of animals. “I can’t be without animals!” she says, expressing a special fondness for dogs and horses. The farm also contributed to her relentless work ethic. “My parents believed in working hard,” she recalls, noting that her business acumen is rooted in successfully operating a celery-selling enterprise beginning at age 9.

After graduating from Manheim Central, Kathy enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Returning to Lancaster, she noticed a help-wanted ad in the newspaper for an illustrator at Hager’s Department Store. She went to the interview brimming with confidence. “I don’t allow fear to control me,” she says of landing her first dream job of illustrating fashion ads for one of Lancaster’s landmark department stores.

In the ‘70s, Kathy went in another design direction by opening Kathy’s Flower Werks in Marietta. “I was there for 20 years,” she recalls.

Her next stop – in 2004 –  was a return engagement at the Hager building, which, following the closure of the store in 1977, had became home to condos, a restaurant and boutique-style shops. “How ironic is it that I ended up back there?” she asks. Her return marked the opening of a unique shop she named Festoon. While it began as a home-oriented store, Kathy offered a small collection of fashions that were unlike anything you’d find locally. She eventually opened a second location in the Bent Creek area.

When an adjacent space became available in the Hager Arcade, Festoon was able to enlarge. It became a feast for all the fashion senses. Kathy credits “a lot of time spent in New York and Atlanta” for the wonderful and unusual mix of fashions – for home and to wear – that define Festoon. “We had so much fun there,” she recalls, alluding to events such as tea parties held in the hallway and the unveiling of her much-anticipated holiday decor.

 

Three years ago, Kathy faced a dilemma. She was losing her lease at the Hager building. Fortunately, she found a space on North Duke Street that provided that same airy and repurposed feel she so loves. The building that once housed fire engines became Festoon’s new home.

The larger space allowed her to expand and add pet products and an ever-growing line of Lancaster-Made items to her inventory. “Lancaster-Made products are a growing segment of the store,” Kathy reports. The Makers Movement has evolved beyond the “arts-and-crafts” craze of yesteryear. Crafters have developed into entrepreneurs whose products – apparel, candles, textiles, handbags, home goods and more – are driving the success of stores like Festoon.

“It’s a win-win for all of us. Lancaster is filled with creative people. We want them to surface and help them show off their talents,” Kathy says, noting that one of her first finds, Christina Maser, now supplies her products to Whole Foods.

Lancaster’s entrepreneurial spirit encouraged Kathy to delve into her own talents. She began designing a clothing line through which she could give back to the community that has supported her for the past 40 years.

First, she wanted to support women who were looking for fashions that would take them through their busy lives comfortably, affordably and in style. “Women are working toward having smaller but workable wardrobes,” Kathy explains. Hence, she designed her line with that in mind – colors and pieces need to mix and match. “You’ll be able to create a number of looks with some core pieces,” she explains. For example, the piece she calls “The Thing,” can multitask and be used as a skirt, a headband, a tube top, a layering piece, etc.

The forgotten women in the fashion world – plus-size and the older generation – are also being addressed by the Selga line. “I want to accommodate every size, shape and age,” Kathy says, noting she is going back to the drawing board for her fall and winter lines in order to make certain sizing is perfect.

Convenience was also taken into consideration: The cotton/lycra and rayon/lycra blends, which are made in Allentown, travel with ease. “Everything washes well, too,” Kathy says.

Kathy also did her homework regarding color. “I did a lot of research,” she says, referencing companies such as the Pantone Institute. Hence, her color choices for spring/summer – nude (pink), turquoise, gray and peach – are on trend. “The nude pieces sold out immediately,” she reports. “It’s a color everyone can wear.”

Kathy also wanted to support women-owned businesses and discovered a pattern-making/sewing company in Reinholds called Pattern Design Unlimited (PDU), which is headed by Pam Urban. The collaboration proved perfect: PDU was willing to take on what the industry would consider to be a relatively small order (initially 1,400 pieces), plus it allowed Pam to shelve layoffs that were looming at the company.

Kathy also plans to support animal shelters, rescues and other such organizations with her fashion line. “Selga was my first dog after I became independent,” she explains. “She was with me for 17 years. She was the sweetest, kindest and most loving dog. She just went with the program!” In honor of Selga, a portion of the proceeds from sales of Selga items will go to animal-related nonprofit organizations. “My first donation went to the Pet Pantry,” she notes.

Kathy’s Fashion Statements

Fashion Icon: Kathy names Katharine Hepburn as her muse. Kate the Great had style! She looked equally comfortable in a menswear-inspired “pantsuit” as she did in an evening gown. “I loved her aura,” Kathy says. “She had confidence in her look.”

Must-Have Accessory: A scarf. “You can wear a scarf in your hair, across your shoulders, as a belt … a scarf can change the look of an outfit.”

Must-try Look for Spring/Summer: The cold-shoulder look is huge. And, according to Kathy, women of all ages can carry it off. “Shoulders don’t show signs of aging, and the sleeve portion of the garment covers your arms. It’s an easy look to wear.”

Favorite Fashion Era: This child of the ’60s doesn’t hesitate to name that decade as her favorite period in fashion. “Boho calls my name!” she laughs.

Trending! What’s Hot in Setting and Serving the Party Table

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Just as fashion trends come and go, so it goes in the party biz. Some of Lancaster’s party experts generously share the trends they are observing from their unique points-of-view.

Our experts agree: new twists on the time-tested classics are infusing parties with fresh energy and creativity. Whatever your style and theme, Claudia Himes encourages hostesses to inject a bit of the unexpected. “Give your guests a surprise,” she says. “It’s a way to let them relax, saying ‘we don’t have to be perfect to be here.’” If the surroundings are too “spot-on,” she says, people will feel intimidated. Putting a bit of risk in your plan wakes people up and engages them (which is harder than ever with phones and other distractions). “Feel honored that your guests found time to attend,” she advises, “and greet them well.”To see some of Deb’s Top Exercises from Pilates and Yoga

Table Linens: Special Occasions

Since 1983, Special Occasions Linens has been the go-to resource for table linens that are oh-so-right for events of all sizes, formalities and themes. Even before it was an official business, company president Claudia Himes’ mother was sewing table dressings for her own and her close friends’ parties in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Today, the business is known far and wide for its unique linens, serving major corporations, organizations and private clients from here to Hawaii.

At her annual spring seminar, Claudia revealed her cache of fresh patterns, colors and mix ‘n match concepts in how to dress the party table. This year, she took one of her favorite adages to heart: “One of life’s greatest joys is opening one’s home to one’s friends,” by hosting the event as an “open house” at Special Occasions’ headquarters on North Queen Street. Claudia and her loyal employees invited guests to a behind-the-scenes experience, including her staff of Amish women who have been skillfully sewing, laundering and pressing Special Occasions’ thousands of napkins, tablecloths and runners for more than 20 years.  In addition to vignettes of the latest table fashions, visitors received personal instruction on napkin folds, clever ways to dress up dining chairs and other uncommon tricks of the trade.

A standout among this year’s leading linens are botanical prints, so realistic they look like photographs. Recently showcased at the Brandywine River Museum’s 50th anniversary celebration of its Conservancy, Claudia combined the colorful botanical prints with bold stripes in summer-hot hues to create a nighttime garden party look. The print-heavy linens also had a practical side – they artfully concealed spills and drips on the food station tables so that the party looked fresh all night.

Claudia also sees a trend of “cool blues,” transporting the refreshing, calming aura of coastal living to our more local, inland affairs.  Combining the sporty feel of Ikat prints, island prints and the dressed-up sparkle of silver filigree layered over navy blue was the vibe Claudia recently created for a client whose event was hosted in Hawaii. Kona’s black lava and brilliant ocean blue waters provided the perfect backdrop.

“I’m seeing a move away from rustic,” Claudia observes, describing the trend as “hand-hewn mixed with bling and tapestry.” While barn wedding parties are still popular, she sees more brides choosing to dress up the barn to hotel ballroom chic. Think less burlap and mason jars and more jacquard and candelabras.

717-299-4642 or specialo.com.

Florals: Floral Designs of Mount Joy

Jill Hoffines-Erb, owner and head designer of Floral Designs of Mount Joy, has always had an eye for inserting texture and unexpected combinations of flowers and greens in her designs for special-event clients. Now the trend is in-sync with her signature aesthetic, coming to center stage with Pantone’s color of the year, Greenery – described as a “fresh, zesty yellow-green shade, illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors.”
Bring on the air ferns, cactus, succulents, dusty miller, maiden hair fern and other “found” foliage with unique textural qualities! “Some hosts are even working with the foliage only, providing a natural look which invites close inspection to discern the textures and shades of green through gray,” Jill notes. Potted or cut, arranged or collected as a group, texture is the new subtlety.

She finds many of her clients are looking for that subtle effect, expressed as “tasteful and not totally over-the-top.” Again, retro is revived: Jill describes the trend as “almost a full circle to how flowers were treated in times past.”

“I’m finding weddings are exploring a minimalist tabletop centerpiece while putting the visual fireworks on the buffets or stations,” Jill says.  Some hosts, both at weddings and at home, “are putting energy and budget on the entrance piece for the foyer or perhaps arching the entrance door, setting the tone for the party to come.”

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New to the floral mix is attention to interesting vessels, often massed together for a full effect. Collections of vessels in a certain theme allow for almost minimalist approaches to what goes in them.  “A highly structured, almost architectonic look” she says, might be made lavish by unique foliage and texture contrasting with special, less-than-familiar stems. New stems worthy of the trend? Cut dahlias in variegated colors. Clematis, vining up a natural stalk of willow. Bromeliad, a tropical stunner, and king protea, with its otherworldly look.

717-653-1950 or floraldesignsofmountjoy.com.

The Menu: Jimmy Duffy’s Catering

As the third-generation of this family business from the greater Philadelphia area, and now the exclusive caterer at downtown Lancaster’s renovated, historic Excelsior event venue, CEO Pol Duffy and his sales executive, Kaitlyn Fetter, are frontrunners of what’s trending in weddings and special events. Kaitlyn observes “a minimalist style is being embraced, a sort of natural look to food presentation,” creating the feel of “rustic elegance.”  According to Kaitlyn, “What we do needs to pop, not explode.”

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“Everything old is new again,” adds Pol. The cocktail buffet, a classic form of entertaining from the ‘60s, is back in vogue and renamed as food-station dining. Smaller plates, addressing an ever-broadening variety of tastes and health/allergy constraints, and a more flexible sense of timing are all practical reasons why food stations are all the rage for weddings and other entertaining. “Providing choices is paramount and is very much what leads the menu design for most hosts,” says Kaitlyn.

Choices, yes. And, the more relaxed atmosphere that a stations party offers is also important. Additionally, it provides for movement at an event, allowing guests to stand, sip and socialize without juggling a large plate. Guests can mingle and move about and not be limited to a long-seated evening with conversation among just a few dinner companions at one table.

osts are demanding health-conscious menu options like vegan/vegetarian stations, treating this segment of their guest list as part of the party menu, not as a special request. Local, seasonal and wisely sourced items are and will continue to be the trend, Kaitlyn adds. “Build-your-own” menu options are also a current hit, from wood-fired pizza to bruschetta to pasta.

Sushi continues to be popular among current party givers. The ever-present cheese display is amped-up with local artisanal choices, informed by the guest’s interest in what is local and different. Comfort food has likewise taken on a sophisticated twist, with innovative ingredients and posh presentation. Think lobster mac-and-cheese, gourmet sliders and “Tuscan table” food items. “Different is good,” notes Pol, “right down to the garnish.”

610-647-0160 or jimmyduffy.com.

 

 

 

A Perfect Summer Escape

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Loxley’s is known for its Olde English feel that extends to both its indoor and outdoor dining venues. The casual, relaxed atmosphere that the treehouse-like outdoor venue provides attracts a diverse clientele.

The restaurant, which is located at the Heritage Hotel in Lancaster (Centerville), opened in July 2009. It’s owned by Heritage Hospitality, which is also the developer of Heritage Hills Golf Course and Resort in York.

Lancaster’s Heritage Hotel originally opened in 1970 as the Sherwood Knoll. Bill Holder, restaurant and group sales manager, who has worked at the facility since 1989, says at that time, the hotel was home to the county’s first theme restaurant. He explains that Loxley’s name and Olde English theme serve as nods to the facility’s heritage.

The exterior entrance to Loxley’s sets the stage – the treehouse-like outdoor dining area has great curb appeal, and guests enter over a bridge that spans a koi pond. “People really love the koi. Watching them is a great stress-reliever,” Bill says with a smile.

Loxley’s indoor areas have names such as the Sherwood Bar, Ballad’s Buffet and the Outlaw Chamber (a private dining room). Stone walls, floors that have the look of aged wood (in some areas) and wood accents (including tables and chairs) add to the warm, inviting ambiance.

An indoor/outdoor bar carries the same vibe but also features TVs around the bar area. “It’s a great area. It had been an outdoor bar, and we enclosed it about two years ago,” Bill explains. “Now our guests can enjoy it nearly year-round,” adding that it’s only closed “on really cold days.”

The outdoor dining area is the feather in Loxley’s cap. This unique two-story area has the appearance of a large, open treehouse. Surrounded by a low stone wall and landscaping, the courtyard area boasts a tree growing in its center and extending upward into a bar area on the second level. “Outdoor dining has been extremely popular. When we first opened, we took reservations for tables, but we changed our policy a few years ago and no longer take reservations,” he says.

 

Loxley’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The same menu that’s served indoors is available outside (however, the outdoor dining venue is not open for breakfast). A plated Sunday brunch menu made its debut for Mother’s Day.

The menus crafted by Executive Chef Joshua Hilt feature a wide array of items as well as daily chef’s specials. “We have a bit of something for everyone on the menu – steaks, pizzas, burgers, seafood, etc. – and about 90% of our food is made from scratch using as many seasonal, locally sourced ingredients as we can,” Bill stresses.

He points to the fried cheese curds as an example. The cheese curds are from York Valley Cheese Company, but they’re breaded in-house and then flash fried. Bread is delivered fresh from Philadelphia daily, and a local baker supplies dessert items that change frequently. The menu itself is updated twice a year.

An array of cocktails complements the menu. The indoor/outdoor bar also features a rotating selection of 30 craft beers from local and regional brewers as well as brewers from throughout the country. “Although the taps are located in that area, our craft beer can be ordered throughout the restaurant,” Bill notes.

 

Loxley’s also sponsors a special community outreach program called The Legend Continues. Bill explains that, generally, the restaurant supports three charities each month on a year-round basis. Guests select which of the featured charities they would like to support and 5% of their food bill is donated to the organization. “It’s our way to give back to the community that we serve,” Bill says.

Loxley’s is located at the Heritage Hotel, 500 Centerville Rd., Lancaster. For hours and other information, call 717-898-2431 or visit LoxleysLancaster.com or their Facebook page.

Terry McDonald Renaissance Man

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The term refers to a person who is “good at many different things.” That defines Terry to a “T.” His 6-acre property – a little slice of heaven – in Mount Nebo is testament to that.

Terry grew up in washington boro. His summers were spent working for his father, builder Jonas N. McDonald. It was a family affair, as several of Terry’s uncles worked for the company, as well. “We worked on a lot of homes in Marietta and Columbia,” he says. “I think that’s what inspired my interest in old homes and antiques.”

After graduating from Penn Manor, Terry became a government employee, specializing in the mechanics of helicopters. The shop was at an airstrip that was once located behind Leisure Lanes. It later moved to Lancaster Airport and finally Fort Indiantown Gap. In 1976, he built a house near Annville. “Then, the layoffs started,” he recalls.

He moved his family back to Lancaster, went into business with his father and began searching for a farm to buy in Manor Township. Having no luck, he instead bought a piece of land from a friend, intending to build a house.

Before he could break ground, Terry happened to notice an ad for a property in the Southern End of the county. While the earliest deed on record dates to 1900, he was told two or three unledgible and unrecorded ones had probably existed at one time; therefore, it was estimated the property dated to the mid-1800s. Rafters on the upper floor that were marked with Roman numerals helped to substantiate the time period.

Terry attended an open house a week prior to the September 1979 auction date and decided he would bid on it. With his carpentry skills, he surmised he could carry out the bulk of the renovations. “It was livable,” he says. “But, if the wind would blow, you’d have to tack the carpets down.” The fuel oil bills were daunting.

Soon, Terry was asking himself, “What did I do?” As with most jobs of this caliber, he was “finding a lot of problems. The more I did, the more I saw what needed to be done.”

He forged on. He bought a woodstove, which heats the entire house. He replaced the windows (twice), rebuilt the front porch, installed a full bath, remodeled the kitchen and replaced the floors. Outdoors, he landscaped, created a brick patio, built a garage and repaired the falling-down barn.

 

Terry also had to grapple with the fact that it wasn’t the most opportune time to be a builder, as the ‘80s featured sky-high interest rates. “There’d be some weeks when all I had was a day or two of work,” he explains.

Fortunately, Terry found a new job. He answered an employment ad placed by PPL and landed a job with the electric utility company in 1981. After 19 years of working at the Holtwood Power Plant, he transferred to the meter department in Lancaster. After reading meters for about four years, he moved to the Holtwood Land Management department, which was home to a nature preserve. The commute to work was a breeze. He retired in 2014.

Working on the house was an on-going project. “I don’t know if you’re ever really finished,” he confides. “I refer to the process as ‘hysterical reconstruction,’ in that you can really burn yourself out. I’d take breaks and then go back to it.”

True to his word, Terry got back to it two years ago by building a kitchen on the other side of the house and remodeling the summer kitchen. He not only built the kitchen cabinetry, but he also installed the tile floor and backsplash.

 

While Terry enjoyed his job with PPL, he missed the process of building something. In order to maintain that connection, he launched a cabinet shop out of the barn. “I started creating reproductions using materials I bought from [salvagers] Ben Brubaker and Sylvan Brandt,” he says. “It was a little hectic,” he jokes of trying to combine shift work with operating his own business.

He also renewed his fascination with decoys and began crafting his own. His love of decoys extends back to childhood, as his family hunted and maintained a duck blind on the Susquehanna. “As a kid, I used to make them with my dad,” he explains. “Decoys intrigued me because they entail shape and are three-dimensional.” He returned to the hobby in 1989. “I was scared to paint them, so I had someone else paint my first one,” he explains. He then decided to conquer his fear and enrolled in a class. “You learn as you go,” he says of experimenting with different techniques.

Soon he was selling his decoys to shops in Havre de Grace and was operating a stand at shows. Orders flooded in. “Then, it became a job; it was too much, so I quit.” A log book in which he meticulously recorded the making process and who came to possess his works of art includes more than 300 projects. “Now, I’m back to making them as gifts,” he notes. “I do what I want to do, if I feel like it.”

What he feels like doing nowadays is cooking. “I don’t know exactly how that came about,” he says. “I just remember going on house tours and looking through magazines and noticing how good the food looked.” So, he began experimenting. Ingredients came from his garden. “What I really like to do is bake,” he says.

It seems as if Terry’s children have inherited his talents. “My son loves to cook and garden,” he says of Keith. His daughter, Angie, is very adept at installing tile and did it professionally until allergies to the adhesive products forced her to stop. “This was a good place for them to grow up,” Terry remarks. “Now they bring their kids here. It’s become a Memorial Day tradition for everyone – including four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter – to come and camp out. We even cook out over a campfire.”

The Long & Short of It

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Spring always reminds me of my mom and dad. Each of them greeted the season with a sense of renewal and purpose. For my mother, spring meant cleaning. For my dad, it meant he could break out of the house and work from dawn to dusk in his yard. He loved nothing more than to mow the lawn and rototill his vegetable garden for the first time each spring.

Curious about how the ritual of spring cleaning materialized, I googled it. Interestingly, spring cleaning isn’t something Martha Stewart invented. However, her website includes a rather lengthy and ambitious To-Do list for the ritual that includes directions for the proper care of window screens. Geez, you would have to take a month off from work to tackle that list!
Instead, spring cleaning has religious and cultural connotations. For example, the ancient Persians liked to welcome the New Year, which falls on the first day of spring, with a clean house. It was their custom to “khooneh tekouni,” or “shake the house,” in the days leading up to the New Year. The custom apparently continues in modern-day Iran.

The ancient Jews also cleaned their homes in the days leading up to the spring holiday of Passover. And, it is customary for Catholics to thoroughly clean the altars of their churches on the Thursday of Holy Week.

Spring cleaning also became a major endeavor in cold-weather countries. After a winter spent nursing colds and the flu, March became the opportune time to open the windows and let fresh air sweep the germs away.

 

My mother’s obsession with spring cleaning now makes sense. I’m sure my Cabbage Hill-dwelling great-grandmother and grandmother helped to clean St. Joseph Church prior to Easter. And, considering that I spent a good deal of my childhood winters suffering with colds, she probably concluded the house was teeming with germs.

And, man o’ days, did that woman clean! The kitchen was ground zero. Every plate, dish and glass was washed. My sister and I never “got”  why she insisted on washing dishes (by hand, no less) that only saw the light of day at Thanksgiving, Christmas and maybe Easter. Pots and pans received the same treatment. Cupboards, closets and drawers were emptied and organized.

Organizing everything became my job. I credit my present-day OCD tendencies to that period of my life. Every pot had to have a lid, or I’d banish it to the basement. Soup cans were lined up in alphabetical order. Ditto for boxes of pudding. And, we had a lot of them. The promise of chocolate pudding was the only way my mother could get my finicky sister to eat her dinner. Me? I’d eat anything. To this day, I get cravings for pudding, only I prefer butterscotch.

after the kitchen passed inspection, we’d move to the bedrooms. About 25 years ago, I was helping my mom with her spring cleaning. She was determined to thoroughly go through the chest of drawers that had become a catch-all for things. In one drawer, we found a stash of rolled-up papers.  We went through them all, reminiscing along the way.

The last rolled-up paper proved to be a treasure. It was a drawing of my father. He was wearing his Navy uniform. It was inscribed “To a mighty nice boy!” The drawing was signed “Florence Starr Taylor” and dated 1946. It seems the celebrated artist had donated her artistic talents to Lancaster’s USO during World War II. My father, who grew up in North Carolina, joined the Navy and was stationed in Bainbridge, Maryland. He and his buddies occasionally came to Lancaster. When he met my mother on a Saturday afternoon in downtown Lancaster, he became a regular visitor.

We called my father into the bedroom and showed him the drawing. He vaguely remembered posing for “some woman” who offered to do a drawing of him. I was excited by the discovery. We had done a story about Florence early in my days at the magazine. She was a character. We all loved her.

My mother and I decided that a treasure such as this did not deserve to be hidden away in a drawer. It needed to be framed and displayed. And, I knew just the person for the job: Ron Ettelman, owner of Dream Framer in Mountville and one of Florence’s most devoted fans and friends.

Incredibly, the drawing of my father took on a life of its own. Over the years, it appeared in several of Florence’s retrospective art shows, many of which were curated by Ron. One time, it appeared on WGAL to publicize one of the shows. And, nobody was more proud of “his” portrait than my father. While it now hung in our house, he got a kick out of going to the shows and taking a gander at it.

I am now the keeper of the portrait. It hangs with a few Florence Starr Taylor paintings my mother purchased from Ron and gave to me as Christmas gifts. One day, it will belong to my son, who is his grandfather’s namesake.

As for cleaning, neither my sister nor I inherited that gene. The other day, I looked at the tumbleweeds of dog hair in the hallway and thought to myself that my mother would be mortified. Just last night (April 3), I finally finished putting away Christmas decorations.

Sue Long

Brickerville House Family Restaurant

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A Historic Dining and Shopping Experience

The Brickerville House Family restaurant and its shops have become a dining and shopping destination. “People enjoy the restaurant’s historic atmosphere. They dine here and then visit the shops, or they’ll come shopping and then grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. It’s a great day out,” says Tony Agadis, who owns the restaurant complex with his brother, George.

Exposed stone walls, wainscoting and a Colonial-style stone fireplace distinguish the Fireplace Room.

Located north of Lititz in Brickerville, the Brickerville House is on the list of Historic Buildings in Lancaster County. Built by John and Barbara Bricker in 1753, its location along the main road (Route 322) from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, no doubt contributed to its place in history. The original portion of the house served as a stagecoach stop and tavern over the years. George Washington may not have eaten, drank or slept there, but local figures like Peter Grubb and Henry William “Baron” Stiegel did.

 

Both George and Tony grew up in the restaurant business in Manhattan, learning from the bottom up. Their father, Mike, a Greek immigrant, owned a restaurant, and both brothers worked there.

George earned an economics degree from New York University, and although he went into banking, the restaurant business was in his blood; he continued to wait tables and bartend on the weekends. Tony fell in love with the kitchen. As a child, he could often be found in the kitchen with his mother, Asimina, who created fabulous traditional Greek dishes and desserts. He followed his dreams and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.

 

After moving to Lancaster County as a family, they purchased Silver Spring Family Restaurant in 2000. Eight years later, they purchased The Brickerville House Family Restaurant (and the shopping complex that surrounds it). “We offer good food, good service, reasonable prices and a clean environment. We stick to the basics,” Tony says.

Although restaurant seats 225, it feels much cozier thanks to it being divided among a series of dining areas. The dining area off the entry is known as the General Store. This cheery area features exposed stone walls and rafters and a stenciled wooden floor. Seating consists of booths and a counter. The light-filled, L-shaped Porch is a great place to watch the pedestrian activity at the adjacent Brickerville House Specialty Shops. The Library, with its faux bookshelves, is situated between the Porch and the General Store. Behind the General Store is the Fireplace Room, whose decor includes exposed stone walls, wainscoting and a Colonial-style stone fireplace. The Banquet Room, with windows on three sides, is at the rear of the building and serves as yet another dining area on weekends.

 

The menu features a wide array of items, and everything is made from scratch, including mashed potatoes, chicken pot pie and meatloaf. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily. The restaurant has become known for its buttermilk pancakes, burgers and summer salads, particularly the strawberry salad.  An Express Lunch menu offers a variety of items for those pressed for time. Be sure to save some room for dessert since there are a number of taste-tempting items in the dessert case, including chocolate cake with peanutbutter icing.

Coffee lovers take note – French press coffee was recently introduced at the restaurant.

Lancaster’s Specialty Market is part of the mix of retail shops at Brickerville House Specialty Shops. The market’s focus is on meat, cheese, bread, coffee, tea and other culinary items. Local brands are well represented as are those from countries such as Italy, Germany, Greece and Spain. Gluten-free, organic and GMO-free products are also available.

In December 2015, George and Tony expanded their offerings by opening Lancaster’s Specialty Market, which takes its place among the 13 shops that comprise Brickerville House Specialty Shops (foodies should note there are shops devoted to candy and wine).

The market’s focus is meats, cheeses and other specialty items made locally or imported from Germany, Italy, Spain and Greece. For example, recent offerings have included such cheeses as Manouri (move over feta), Clawson’s Lemon Zest and Idiazabal (a Spanish variety made from sheep’s milk). There’s also a selection of gluten-free, organic and GMO-free products.
Sixteen different coffee beans and 30 different loose leaf teas are available in the market. An olive bar also distinguishes the market. Other products include breads (from such sources as Philadelphia Baked Breads and Thom’s Bread), whole and ground spices and herbs, and milk, which is from Trickling Springs Creamery in Chambersburg.

“Some of the items, such as the French press coffees, are cross-marketed at the restaurant,” says manager Halina Agadis, who is Tony’s wife. Trickling Springs products are also an example of cross-marketing. Its ice cream is available at the ice cream shop in the Brickerville House complex. Halina notes that this season, soft-serve ice cream will join the hand-dipped menu, while pints of the ice cream’s various flavors can be purchased at the market.

“Before we opened the market, we did a survey of customers at the restaurant to find out the types of products they would be interested in,” she explains. “We’ve used that to guide us in developing the market and its offerings.”

The Brickerville House Family Restaurant is located at 2 E. 28th Division Highway (corner of Routes 501 and 322), Lititz. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Reservations are suggested for parties of 8 or more. For more information, call 717-625-2525 or visit brickervillehouseshops.com.
Lancaster’s Specialty Market is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 717-568-8686 or visit lancastersspecialtymarket.com.

Jump on a Bike!

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As someone who commutes on a bicycle, I can tell you there is something special about rolling through the countryside on two wheels. The fields feel larger, the evening skies are more vibrant, and occasionally the sweet smell of blooming flowers crosses your path, all of which helps to explain why Lancaster County is regarded as one of the best places in the country to go bike riding.

If that sounds like something you’d like to experience, Intercourse Bikeworks can get you on the road.

Intercourse Bikeworks is a labor of love for owners Mark and Rebecca Branle, who left their jobs in the corporate world to pursue their dream of operating their own business that mixes work with pleasure. Mark is a former state champion-turned-master’s racer with a lifetime of cycling knowledge to share, while Rebecca (a former runner) is a “straight-up enthusiast” who loves the sights, sounds and joys of the ride. Their different perspectives on the sport complement each other nicely, creating a very welcoming atmosphere at the shop for anyone, whether they’re a beginner or a pro. Being a family-owned-and-operated business, they also have the parental wisdom to share with families interested in riding together. Their three children are no strangers to the roads and even come along for group rides from time to time.

 

The Intercourse Bikeworks Shop, which is located in the Cross Keys Shopping Center in Intercourse, offers a wide selection of bicycles – from high-end racing bikes to stylish commuter bikes –
as well as many accessories. They also have a very nice selection of rental bikes, including child trailers and electric-assist bikes. Of course, recognizing that cycling is a lifestyle for many, they also offer unique apparel, glassware and cycling-themed art.

If you’re looking for local rides, their wall of routes offers helpful information about local rides ranging from 10-30 miles. They continue to offer their classic countryside tours, including the Intercourse Amish Dinner Tour, Amish Farm Tour and Picnic, Rumspringa Wine and Beer Tasting Tour, and the Oktoberfest Beer Tour.

 

With just over two years under their belts, the couple also seized the opportunity to open a second location on Rock Lititz Boulevard in Lititz.

Lititz Bikeworks is home to the new “Rock Garden” Cyclocross Course. The location also offers easy access to the Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail-Trail (a favorite with families and older riders) and historic downtown Lititz. The Lititz-based tours include the Lititz Rail Trail Experience, A Taste of Lititz Tour, and the Lititz Beer Tasting Tour.

All tour packages include bike rental, helmet, water and excellent memories. Each tour also includes a stop for a break and refreshments at a selected location with a genuine Lancaster County connection.
If a tour isn’t what you’re looking for, you can just as easily rent your bike and explore for yourself. However, you lose the added backstories and local perspective the Bikeworks’ staff brings to the tours.

For more information on available tours, rentals and more, visit intercoursebikeworks.com. Announcements regarding group fun rides and other cycling news can be found on their Facebook page. For those interested in going faster, check out the Facebook group for their ride club, the Welsh Mountain Wheelmen.

Deb’s Top Exercises from Pilates and Yoga to Prepare for your Gardening Journey

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A special Yoga and Pilates Movement for Gardeners is scheduled for May 20th, 1:30-3 pm at Float Yoga in Lititz. The class will cover the movements discussed in this article (and more) and allow time for questions. To register, visit Float-yoga.com. Questions? Contact Deb at 717-471-6868 or through thedancingfrog.com.

Warm-up Exercises to Move the Spine in 6 Directions

 Cat and Dog 

Start in tabletop position with shoulders over the wrists and hips over the knees.

Inhale and lift head and tail, allowing the front of the torso to stretch open.

Exhale round tail and head toward each other stretching the back.

Move back and forth smoothly 8-10 breaths, creating an undulating movement from head to tail.

 Knee Sways 

Lie on your back with feet and knees together. Arms wide for support.

Inhale and bring knees to one side, keeping feet and knees together.

The knees do not need to touch the floor. Exhale and return to center.

Feel a gentle stretch in the low back and outer hip.

Continue for 8-10 breaths alternating sides; notice how each vertebra rolls off and back on to the floor.

 Mermaid Variation  

Sit with knees bent. A cushion under the hips.

Knees at hip level. Right arm to ear, left arm to floor.

Keeping shoulders square.

Exhale and side bend to the left. Inhale back to center.

Reverse sides continuing for 8-10 breaths, feel the side of the body stretch from ear to hip.

Strengthening Exercises

 Swan (Cobra) Prep 

Lie facedown, elbows bent near side.

Press tops of feet and hipbones gently into the floor.

Inhale, elongate the spine and lift the head and shoulders.

Exhale, lower torso. Do not strain or push strongly with the hands.

Notice an engagement of the upper back muscles and the back of the legs.

Complete 3-5 breaths.

 Bridge 

Lie on back, knees bent, heels in line with the sitting bones.

Arms alongside body. Palms facing down.

Exhale, press down with the feet and lift the pelvis up. Bear the weight of the body on the feet, arms, upper back and back of head. (Keep weight off the neck).

Take 2-3 breathes while holding the pose. Exhale, release body back to the floor. Do the whole series 2-3 times.

To complete, bring the knees toward the chest.

 Side Kick 

Lying on side, stack hips and shoulders.

Bring feet slightly ahead of the hips.

Lift the top leg a few inches off the bottom leg

Inhale, kick top leg forward.

Exhale, kick leg back.

Be aware of keeping the leg at the same level forward and back.

Complete 8-10 breaths each side.

 Kneeling Plank 

Starting in tabletop, walk the hands forward 12-18 inches.

The abdominal muscles should be engaged. There should be no strain in the lower back.

Keep the head through tail in a straight line.

Inhale and exhale, holding the pose.

Work up to holding for 10 breaths.

 Tree Pose 

Standing on both feet, shift weight onto right foot.

Place left heel at ankle or calf. Gently push the standing leg towards the lifted heel or foot. Shoulders and hips stay square. Arms to side or overhead.

Hold for 3-5 breaths each side.

Reset at the End of a Long Day

 Down Dog at the Wall 

Place the hands on a wall at hip height.

Walk back until your back is straight, forming a line parallel to the floor and a right angle at the hip joint.

Soften your knees. Fine tune the stretch for your body with a focus on lengthening the hips away from the hands.

Hold for 5 breaths.

 Kneeling Lunge with Twist 

Step one leg forward, keeping the knee over the ankle.

Bring both hips forward, keeping the spine long.

Hold for 2-3 breaths

Keeping the spine long, rotate the front ribs towards the inside of front leg.

Hold for 2-3 breaths

Repeat on the other side.

 Legs Up the Wall 

Using the wall for support, place heels on the wall and hips close to the wall.

Allow the knees to soften. Hold for up to 5 minutes.

 Child’s Pose 

From tabletop, walk the knees wider than the hips.

Two big toes touching.

Shift the hips back towards the heels. Arms reaching forward.

Avoid if there is any pain in the knee joint.

Hold for 5-8 breaths.

 

 

 

 

Hershey Gardens Blooms, Butterflies and Bugs

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Hershey is known as much for its chocolate confections as it is for its action-packed theme park. With its signature Kiss-shaped streetlights, Hershey is also home to some amazing restaurants, the iconic Hershey Theatre and The Hotel Hershey. Last but not least is Hershey Gardens, which stands as one of Milton S. Hershey’s enduring legacies.

“We’re known for our roses and tulips in spring. People also enjoy the great views – we’re perched on a hilltop overlooking the town of Hershey and Hersheypark, and there’s also an amazing view of The Hotel Hershey,” says, Mariella Trosko, director of Hershey Gardens.

The garden’s history is deeply rooted in roses. Milton Hershey strongly believed in giving people in “his” town a beautiful place to live. In addition to carrying out this idea in planning the town, he also designated a plot of land near The Hotel Hershey for the Hershey Rose Garden. The 3.5-acre garden, which was filled with over 12,000 rose bushes, opened in 1937. Since then, it’s grown to more than 23 acres and includes theme gardens as well as a fun and educational children’s garden.

Milton & Catherine Hershey

As part of its 75th anniversary celebration in 2012, the M.S. Hershey Tribute Garden was unveiled. Located at the north end of the gardens, it honors its founder’s love of horticulture and showcases the revitalized M.S. Hershey Rose.  In 1940 the American Rose Society honored Milton S. Hershey’s support of roses by naming a rose after him. The following spring, the M.S. Hershey Rose was introduced at Hershey Gardens.

According to Mariella, bloom time for the gardens’ roses peaks in June. And, there are plenty of roses to see – about 3,500 plants representing 275 varieties including old garden roses, which are located in an area called High Point Garden. A tribute to Milton Hershey’s wife, Catherine, it honors the garden at their home, which was named High Point.

“Spring and summer are the perfect times to visit the gardens,” Mariella notes. Other garden attractions – from late spring and into fall – include the trees in bloom (in the fall, they sport blazing autumnal colors), the wide variety of annuals and perennials, and the herb garden.

 

Welcome Pavilion

Last year Hershey Gardens unveiled its newest addition – the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. The 16,000-square-foot conservatory not only makes the gardens a year-round destination, but it’s also the only structure named for both of the Hersheys. The design was inspired by a conservatory that was built at High Point in 1909.

“The conservatory is a recent addition that wasn’t in the original plan for the gardens, but its placement is so perfect that it looks like it was meant to be there. There are panoramic views of Hershey from the entrance terrace and sweeping views of Swan Lake, the rose garden, gazebo, seasonal displays and Hotel Hershey from the rear,” Mariella says.

The gardens’ conservatory features a welcome center for guests, gift shop, a butterfly atrium, and an educational and horticultural wing, which also hosts exhibits (such as a recent regional orchid show) and special events such as weddings.

The Butterfly Atrium makes its home in the conservatory.

The butterfly atrium expands on the seasonal butterfly house that had been located in the Children’s Garden. Not only has the butterfly atrium become a year-round attraction, but its area of focus – North American butterflies – has expanded to include tropical species. Dan Babbitt, associate director, notes that Hershey’s butterfly atrium is one of only 25 in the U.S. that are open year-round.

The atrium mimics a tropical oasis and features palm trees and tropical plants as well as a delightful water feature. There’s even a cacao tree. “It was really exciting to have this tree here. Its pods are used to make chocolate, so it’s a fitting addition,” Mariella remarks. “We can show people where cocoa comes from,” Dan adds.

Walking among the butterflies and having one or two land on you is an enchanting experience for both the young and the young-at-heart. Oohs and aahs abound as guests view the exotic winged creatures – some in bold colors and others more subdued. Dan says that butterfly species in the atrium change regularly and may include the Atlas moth (the largest moth in the world), the brilliantly colored blue morpho, Great Mormon, paper kite or the leopard lacewing. “It’s a unique experience; guests can see butterflies from around the world in one room. We’ve tried to recreate as much of a natural environment for them as we can,” he says.

The atrium also features a chrysalis cabinet that allows visitors to watch butterflies emerge from the chrysalids. “We can now reach people year-round, and that’s allowed us to expand our education programs, including those that focus on the plant and insect connection,” he explains.

There’s even a space called “the bug zone” that features a rotating display of bugs. One recent display featured insects that mimic plants and/or their leaves. An ongoing program encourages children to become bugologists. “Our bug programs have been very popular – people like to learn about bugs and hold tarantulas and gaint roaches. People come here for many different reasons – the roses, butterflies and now the bugs,” Dan says.

 

Thanks to the new conservatory, Hershey Gardens has been able to expand its programming for school groups into a year-round effort. Financially challenged schools can take advantage of the Share the Gardens Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for field trips to the gardens. Any Pennsylvania school that has 75% or more students eligible for free- or reduced-price lunches under the National School Lunch program is eligible for the scholarship program.

More educational opportunities are on the horizon. For example, the hoop house that was formerly home to the butterflies will be repurposed to become part of children’s programming. Plans also include a sustainable vegetable garden and a display beehive that will be positioned near a pollinator garden.

“Families always enjoy the children’s garden. Kids and adults are often curious about beehives and what goes on inside of them. Having a display beehive next to the pollinator garden provides a great connection,” Dan says.

 

Special Events

May 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20
Spring Garden Walks

May 14
Mother’s Day
Free Admission for Moms

June 17
A Whimsical Day of Fairies & Flowers (children’s program).
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

June 18
Father’s Day
Free Admission for Dads

For further information, call 717-534-3492 or visit hersheygardens.org.

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