CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

HERITAGE, STYLE & POINT OF VIEW SINCE 1987.

A Dinner Party Hits a Home Run and Scores a Lasting Legacy

We have all attended house parties that leave lasting impressions. An elegant dinner party held at the home of Edward and Barbara Carr, however, was momentous in that it will impact the lives of Lancaster’s disadvantaged inner-city youth through the Boys & Girls Club.

The Boys & Girls Club provides a safe haven for Lancaster County’s youngsters during those crucial hours between after school and early evening. In 2016, the 78-year-old organization provided 36,000 hot, nutritious meals, after-school and summer camp programs for more than 3,000 youth, and academic enrichment programs for 1,000. “For every hour a child spends in school, they spend two out of school, and these hours are absolutely vital in determining the course of a child’s life,” says Karen Schloer, Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster’s CEO. About 17,400 Lancaster County kids – one in four – leave school at the end of the day with no place to go.

Thanks to the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster, those kids have a home away from home, offering adult mentors, help with homework, recreational sports, and nutritious meals at four locations: South Water Street, West Lemon Street, Washington Elementary School (all in the city), and Columbia Borough.

The Boys & Girls Club wants to make that five locations by adding a clubhouse at South Duke and Dauphin streets. Additionally, a strategic partnership between the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation will provide for the construction of a neighboring state-of-the-art Youth Development athletic center.

The 65 guests at the Carrs’ gracious home were drawn there for much more than the raw bar, wine and sumptuous catered dinner. “The Boys & Girls Club’s mission is spectacular,” says Ed, who is a past board member of the organization. He and Barbara conceptualized the “Baseball and Diamonds” theme of the event, appropriately named as a nod to the baseball field that will be an integral part of the planned Youth Development Park. Each of the guests, who had made significant contributions to attend the event, was eligible to win one of two giveaways that further tied into the event: a custom-designed diamond necklace from Vanscoy Maurer & Bash or a collectible baseball autographed by Cal Ripken.

The late spring evening opened with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and greetings among longtime friends as guests mingled on the terrace, overlooking an impeccably tended fairway of the Lancaster Country Club’s golf course. As a buffet dinner was served and guests cozied into their chosen dining spots throughout the library, family room, dining room and screened-in patio, all attentively paused for a video presentation that shared the ambitious, inspiring vision of the Boys & Girls Club to more directly bring its life-changing mission to the youth of southeastern Lancaster City.

“We wanted to do something unique and different for the Boys & Girls Club to reach new supporters for the organization,” explains Barbara, referring to their “house party” format. “We thought opening our house for the event would provide a more relaxed and personalized venue.”

And, it worked! Several guests requested additional information on the club, while others asked about volunteer opportunities. “We were happy to be able to introduce people to the project and raise both awareness and interest in all that the Boys & Girls Club currently does for our youth in Lancaster,” Ed adds. All in all, a grand slam for a terrific cause!


For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster, visit bgclanc.org. For more information about the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, visit ripkinfoundation.org.

 

Queen of the Candles

Each year, members of the senior class at Warwick High School select 12 of their classmates as members of the Queen of the Candles court. The girl receiving the most votes goes on to become the Queen of the Candles during a ceremony that begins as dusk settles over Lititz Springs Park.

Something tells me that no matter who is announced as this year’s queen, the other 11 will be thrilled for her. While Warwick’s 2017 graduating class is relatively small (when compared to other Lancaster County school districts), members of the court view that in a positive manner. “It’s nice to know everyone in your class,” one pointed out.

Members of this year’s court are in awe of the historical significance that this year’s pageant entails: Not only is it the 200th time Lititz is celebrating the Fourth of July, but it’s the 177th edition of Candle Illumination and the 76th time a Queen of the Candles will be crowned.

In addition to expressing graditude to their parents for their upbringing, members of this year’s court take pride in having grown up in Lititz. They all maintain that Lititz has nurtured them and prepared them for their next steps in life.

Pauline Moyer Keenan had the honor of being the first Queen of the Candles (1942). Her crowning was seen in millions of American homes thanks to Life magazine, which ran a story about Lititz’s Fourth of July event in its July 26, 1943, issue. Pauline, who resided in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, returned to Lititz in 2001 to serve as the grand marshal of the Fourth of July Parade and to assist with the crowning of that year’s queen. She passed away in February 2007.Even in 1843, Lititz’s Fourth of July celebration was searching for new ways to entertain those who gathered in the park. Taking a cue from the popular Christmas Vigil, candles made their July Fourth debut that year. From 400 candles that illuminated the park that first year, to a high of 12,000, which for liability reasons was trimmed to 7,000, what is often called a “Fairyland of Candles” continues to be a highlight of the festivities.

In celebration of the Illumination’s milestone year in 1942, the Queen of the Candles pageant was launched. The event is now sponsored by the Lititz Woman’s Club where will life take members of this year’s court? It seems they will go far, as their college plans are indeed impressive.


Maddie Menendez says she will miss the atmosphere of downtown Lititz when she leaves for college. She “never misses Second Friday with my friends” and counts herself as a regular at Isabella’s Ice Cream Parlor. Maddie will be attending Juniata College, where she plans to major in pre-med/biology.

Maddie Wagner, who grew up on the outskirts of Lititz, says she has always loved the early-morning drive into town for school. “Lititz has always felt like home, it’s very welcoming,” she says. “There’s a real sense of community here.” Maddie has applied to a Bible college in England and hopes to receive an acceptance letter this summer. “I also see mission work in my future,” she says.
Jordan Sweeney loves the quaintness of Lititz and will miss her job at Isabella’s. She also appreciates the fact that was able to “get to know everyone in our class.” Jordan is bound for St. Joseph’s University, where she plans to major in psychology.


Rebecca Owsinski loves Lititz for its sense of community. “Everyone seems to know everyone,” she reports. She’s grown up attending the Fourth of July celebration and is honored to be a member of this year’s court. Rebecca will be a freshman at St. Joseph’s University, where she plans to major in marketing.

Carley Hess says she loves Lititz for its friendliness. This fall she will transition from small-town living to life in the big city, when she becomes a student at the University of Pittsburgh, where she plans to major in business.

 


Jenna Raezer loves Lititz for the fact that there are “so many little things to do.” And, she appreciates the “close-knit” sense of community that exists in Lititz. Jenna will be attending Millersville University, where she will major in art education.

Carson Armstrong names Lititz’s “close community” as being what she loves about her hometown. Carson will be attending Lock Haven University, where she plans to major in physical education and health. She will also be playing lacrosse at Lock Haven.  

Kayla Rohrbach says she is appreciative of growing up in a small community. “There are a ton of caring people here,” she says of Lititz. Kayla will be attending the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences and hopes to become a pediatric nurse.


Maddie Armstrong says she will always cherish Lititz. “I feel so fortunate to have grown up in such a caring town,” she says. Maddie will be attending Virginia Tech, where she will begin her quest to become a pediatrician.

Laura Kramer possesses a unique appreciation of Lititz. Having moved here in the seventh grade, she says she “had no idea a town could be so close-knit.” Laura will be attending Penn State University (Berks Campus), where she will major in veterinary and biomedical sciences.

Taylor Gonzalez says Lititz is filled with “great people; everyone supports each other.” She will be attending the Pennsylvania College of Technology, where she will also play soccer.


Note: The twelfth member of the court, Hannah Reinhart, was unable to attend the photo shoot.

 

Lititz – Keeping History Alive

According to Tim Reedy, one of the goals of Lititz’s historic Fourth of July celebration is to educate younger generations about the freedoms that were fought for during the American Revolution.

When Lancaster County was organized in 1729, Warwick was one of its original townships. Wheelwright Richard Carter, one of that area’s first settlers, named the township in honor of his English birthplace, Warwickshire.

Lititz grew out of a Moravian settlement that was founded in 1754. However, the town’s roots extend back to the 15th century’s Bohemian Revolution, whose cause was religious freedom. Despite the demise of its leader, John Huss, in 1415, the revolution’s fervor lived on. By 1457, his followers – primarily from Bohemia and Moravia in Czechoslovakia – had found refuge on the estate of the king of Bohemia, whose palace was called Lititz.

In the early 1700s, Count Zinzendorf had become the leader of the movement, which had spread to England and North America. The faithful became knowns as Moravians.

Zinzendorf visited Warwick Township in 1742, which led to plans of building a settlement there. Land was secured in 1754, when John George Klein and his wife donated nearly 500 acres to the church. Building lots were laid out three years later. The settlement was named Litiz (the postmaster added the second “t” a century later).

Supporting the Cause for Independence

By the early 1770s, the seeds of independence from England were being sown in the colonies. From the beginning, Pennsylvania was regarded as the “keystone”  of the colonies due to its geographical, political, cultural and social significance. (In architectural terms, the keystone – or the central wedge in an arch – is the piece that all the other elements depend upon for the arch’s strength.) Pennsylvania, for example, sent nine delegates to the Continental Congress. One, John Morton, cast the deciding vote for independence. His vote was referred to as “the keystone vote.”

 

When the Revolution began, Lancaster riflemen were among the first to make their way to Boston. George Ross, William Henry and John Hubley were delegates to the Continental Congress. General Edward Hand led a group of volunteers who fought in New York and New Jersey. Hand, who later became Washington’s adjutant-general, is depicted in the famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware River. James McMichael, a native of Scotland, who settled in Lancaster County, enlisted in the Pennsylvania Militia and served at Brandywine, Germantown and Valley Forge. Valley Forge Historic National Park includes him among General George Washington’s inner circle.

The Conestoga Wagon

Historians can’t explain the reason for the red, white and blue color scheme of Conestoga wagons, but considering that they were the transportation “workhorses” of the American Revolution, it’s very appropriate. According to the U.S. Army Transportation Museum, investing in a Conestoga Wagon in the 18th century was costly: $250 for a wagon and $1,200 for the special horses that pulled it. In 21st-century terms, that equates to the cost of a modern-day tractor-trailer. This wagon was photographed at the Conestoga Area Historical Society’s museum.The fact that Lancaster County was a hub for agriculture, manufacturing and commerce made it a major contributor to the Revolution. According to Lancasterhistory.org, “Large quantities of supplies for the patriot army were shipped from Lancaster – cannons, ammunitions, rifles, camp kettles, as well as grain, shoes and uniforms.”

Transporting the goods was not a problem thanks to a Lancaster-made product, the Conestoga Wagon. Developed by Mennonite-German settlers in the early 18th century, the wagon caught the attention of James Logan, secretary to William Penn, who established an irregular freight line between Philadelphia and the Conestoga Valley with the purchase of one wagon (eventually adding two more). He called the wagons “Conestogas” due to their destination. Historians speculate the name could refer to the river, the town or the Indian tribe that all bear the name Conestoga.

The boat-like wagons were built to withstand the rugged terrain they had to negotiate. Their design also ensured that loads would not shift.

By 1775, 10,000-plus Conestoga wagons were traveling the roads of Pennsylvania (and beyond). It was not uncommon for a single wagon train to consist of 100 wagons. One of the major thoroughfares was Route 322, which at the time was the primary route between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. What is now the Brickerville House Family Restaurant was a popular stopover for teamsters to take a break and feed their horses.

Conestoga wagons departing from Lancaster County were a major source of supplies for Washington’s encampment at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. In the spring of 1778, a Conestoga Wagon delivered $600,000 in silver – a loan from the French government – from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to York, Pennsylvania.

By the Civil War era, the Conestoga Wagon had become obsolete. They were replaced by canal systems and the railroad.

Lititz and the American Revolution

Hessian POWS lived in several outbuildings on the Coleman Estate at Elizabeth Farms. Taken prisoner following the Continental Army’s successful surprise attack on the night of December 25, 1776, the Army bartered them as laborers for Elizabeth Furnace in exchange for cannonballs and other munitions. They ultimately were given the task of digging what came to be known as the Hessian Trench.Several monuments mark the final resting place for the 110 soldiers who died in Lititz during the American Revolution. Wounded and ill soldiers were sent to Lititz during the winter of 1777-78, where the Moravian Church’s Brethren’s House served as a hospital. The men buried in Lititz are regarded as being among America’s first unknown soldiers.

The Lititz area has two significant connections to the Revolutionary War. Following the battles of Brandywine (September 11, 1777) and Germantown (October 4, 1777), the Moravian Church’s Brethren’s House in Lititz became a hospital for injured soldiers. More than 500 soldiers arrived in Lititz between December 1777 and August 1778, 110 of whom died. Their remains were buried on the outskirts of town. The exact location remained a mystery until 1932, when a cellar that was being excavated revealed the burial site.

Ultimately, the remains were reinterred in the cemetery along East Main Street. A memorial sign declared them as being among the first of America’s unknown soldiers.
The winter of 1777-78 also took its toll on the troops who were encamped at Valley Forge. According to LNPs Jack Brubaker (The Scribbler), more than 2,000 soldiers died there that winter. Soldiers suffering from wounds, illness and starvation were ultimately cared for in Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. However, the largest contingent were nursed back to health in Lancaster County, namely in Lititz, Lancaster, Ephrata, Manheim, Reamstown and Brickerville.

A year earlier, troops of another sort arrived in the Lititz area. In the winter of 1776, the Continental Army was on the run following their defeat at the Battle of Long Island.

Morale was low. The Army had retreated to eastern Pennsylvania, while the British and their hired troops, Hessians from Germany, were encamped on the opposite side of the Delaware River near Trenton.

General George Washington hatched a plan that would ultimately win battles and raise morale: an attack on the Hessian camp that would be launched late on the night of December 25. Knowing the Hessians would be celebrating Christmas, the Army took them by surprise. The ploy met with success: Not a single Continental Army soldier was killed. However, 30 Hessians lost their lives, while 900 were taken as POWs.

Hessian and British POWs were problematic for the Army. Prison camps were almost nonexistent due to the lack of food and manpower. Instead, Washington would barter their services for munitions. A contingent of Hessian POWS was sent to the Elizabeth Furnace in Brickerville to serve as laborers. The foundry, which produced munitions for the Army, agreed to trade cannon balls and other items for Hessian laborers. They were housed in buildings that still stand on the Coleman Estate/Elizabeth Farms.

The Hessians were assigned the task of digging a trench that would carry water from Seglock Run to a newly constructed waterwheel that would add to the foundry’s efficiency. What came to be know as the Hessian Trench was dug over a six-month period starting in early 1777.

Following the war, many of the Hessian soldiers elected to stay in Lancaster County due to the already large German/Swiss population that resided here, religious freedom and the availability of land.

The Lititz Spring

The tradition of illuminating Lititz Springs Park with candles on the Fourth of July dates to 1843. At one time, as many as 12,000 candles illuminated the park, but liability issues reduced the number to the present-day count of 7,000.Prior to the arrival of settlers, the swampy area located on the western edge of Lititz was used by Native Americans as a place to take the waters. The Moravians sought to beautify it and transform it into a park. In 1780, Tobias Hirte, a music teacher, attempted to improve the area by planting willow trees. Flooding carried them away.

Twelve years later, townspeople added fill to the swampland, planted trees, built a wall around the spring, erected structures and constructed a bridge over Lititz Run. Once again, the project met with disaster. The only trees to survive were the locusts, and area farmers were miffed that their cows no longer had access to the spring.

By 1846, John Beck, the principal of the Lititz Boys Academy, was put in charge of the park. Not willing to give up, he and the town’s residents launched yet another beautification project. Fencing materials were purchased through a fundraising effort. A new wall was built around the spring, and more trees were planted. This time, the trees thrived.

It wasn’t until 1957 that another beautification/modernization project was conducted thanks to a $100,000 grant from Warner-Lambert. While the land is owned by the Lititz Moravian Church, the park is operated by a board of trustees and is supported by civic groups and businesses.

A Celebration Is Born

The Fourth of July was commemorated in Lititz as long ago as 1778, when Tobias Hirte and an orchestra organized a concert for soldiers who were recovering from injuries and illnesses in Lititz. Impromptu celebrations continued into the early 1800s. However, the Moravian Church did not condone the events, as is reflected in the minutes from the Board of Overseers’ meeting that was held on July 22, 1811: “By this opportunity came up the offensive conduct of many of our young people on the Fourth of July (Independence Day), who not only associated with the neighboring military company, which had paraded here during the day, but made merry with music at the Spring, and greatly disturbed the village late into the night, thereby giving the cause for criticism from our outlying neighbors.”

By 1818, the Moravian town fathers had adopted a new viewpoint; not wanting to appear unpatriotic, they bestowed their approval for Fourth of July celebrations. In 1822, Lititz Springs Park was named the official home of the town’s Fourth of July activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Sources
Interview with Ron Reedy: June 1992 issue of Lancaster County magazine.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: A History by H.M.J. Klein
Lancasterhistory.org.
Explorepahistory.com
Colonialsense.com
Lancaster County magazine, June 2009 issue: Lititz Past, Present & Future
Lancaster County magazine, December 2006 issue: Elizabeth Farms
U.S. Army Transportation Museum
Lititzspringspark.org
Valley Forge National Park: nps.gov/vafo

A Morning Ritual

Each morning students across the nation begin their day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. We dropped by Wanda McKonly’s first grade class at Lititz Elementary School to hear their rendition of the pledge. Afterwards, we asked each student for his or her definition of happiness. For many of them, it’s the simple things in life that make them happy: family, friends and playtime. It struck us that there was no mention of computers, video games or super heroes.

First graders in the Warwick School District play a role in the Queen of the Candles pageant, with a girl serving as the flower girl and a boy as the crown bearer. Each elementary school in the district nominates two candidates and a committee then makes a final selection. This year’s flower girl will be Taylor Bonano from Kissel Hill Elementary. Riley Thomas from Lititz Elementary will be the crown bearer.

 

 

 

An Udderly Good Cheese Story

Howard Field has always loved to cook. He is such a good cook that Angela, his wife of 40 years, let him take the reins in their kitchen. It’s only natural that this avid cook devours the food section of the newspaper.

About seven years ago, Howard came across a recipe for Fromage Blanc cheese. As it was a snowy Sunday morning in February, he thought, why not try it? He grabbed a carton of Turkey Hill milk from the refrigerator and fearlessly proceeded with the recipe. He found the process interesting and began searching for other cheese recipes. Over time, family and friends willingly became his taste testers. He had some great successes in the beginning (and some not so great), but in time he honed a skill for making cheese.

One day he came home from work and announced to Angela he had left his sales job of 35 years in order to make cheese on a full-time basis. With four daughters, all Angela could envision was college and weddings in their future. She nearly hit the floor at his news of walking away from one career and launching a new one. But, with faith in Howard’s cheese-making skills and his sales expertise, she promised she’d be with him all the way.

Thus began the advent of Farm Fromage – a farm-to-table cheese company whose mission is to share the fresh local cheeses of Lancaster County with markets and customers wherever possible and, at the same time, support sustainable small dairy farms. Essentially, Farm Fromage helps farmers and their families thrive and survive on their farms.
In the beginning, Howard would drive around the county in search of signs that read, “Raw Milk.” Once found, he would stop and talk with the farmer. “I never had any problems striking up conversations with people,” he says, crediting his sales experience for this talent.

He liked the idea of using raw milk because it produced a more flavorful and finer cheese. And, it’s a proven product, as raw milk cheese has been around for over 7,200 years! “Anything our grandmothers and great-grandmothers ate is probably the way we should be eating today,” he remarks. “People were a whole lot healthier then.”

 

According to howard, two different kinds of cheeses are available today. “We have crafted cheese,” he says of artisan varieties that are handmade in small batches, “and krafted cheese,” which is made by large corporations and doesn’t have the benefits or flavor sensations raw milk provides. In his opinion, raw milk contributes to wonderful cheese flavors, helps local farmers and aids the local economy. Another plus is free probiotics.

Cheese can be made from any milk – cow, sheep, goat, water buffalo or even a camel. Howard is aware of people in the county who are now raising camels. The most expensive cheese in the world is made from the milk of the Balkan donkey and can cost as much as $600 a pound.

Every cheese is basically made of milk, cultures (for flavor – either natural, freeze-dried or made from yogurt or buttermilk), enzymes (rennet, which causes the milk to coagulate) and salt.

Artisan cheese is handmade in small batches – always with love, but not always from raw milk. “The flavor difference can be incredible between raw and processed cheeses,” he notes.

When asked who makes the best cheese, Howard is quick to say  Lancaster County. In his opinion, great cheese no longer has to come from foreign lands. “Nowadays, if you want a really good foreign cheese, you can get it in Oregon, Vermont or New York. If you want great local cheese, you get it in Pennsylvania,” Howard informs.

 

Farm Fromage began with just two farms, one cheesemaker and six cheeses. Today, the company is associated with 15 small family farms and six cheesemakers from across Pennsylvania. The selection has grown to more than 30 world-class cheeses made from raw cow, goat and sheep’s milk (as well as a raw cow and sheep’s milk blend). The company also offers a pasteurized cow’s milk cheese, Angela’s Pillow, which Howard describes as “a real crowd pleaser.”

“The definition of a great cheese is one you want another taste of,” Howard maintains. He likes to say he sells a 5-mile cheese – you’ll be down the road 5 miles and you can still taste the wonderful cheese on your tongue! A great cheese will have you wanting more.

Having no storefront, Howard conducts much of his business online, which allows him to stay in the field and personally work with his suppliers and many contacts. Farm Fromage products are also available at farmers markets (Green Circle Organics at Central Market, and as far away as Philly and D.C.), specialty stores (Lemon Street Market), restaurants (Lancaster Brewing Company and Federal Taphouse) and wineries (Waltz Vineyards).

It was through a farmers market that Howard acquired his first famous client: celebrity chef and Food Network star, Emeril Lagasse, who owns Emeril’s Chop Shop and Emeril’s Fish House in Bethlehem. He is also proud of the fact that  Junto in Chadds Ford (modern farmhouse cuisine) and The Forebay and Fire & Grain, both at the Hershey Lodge, feature cheeses from Farm Fromage.
In addition, Farm Fromage cheeses are sold at art & craft shows, wine events and garden expos.


For a complete list of Farm Fromage products, as well as a list of where you can find them, visit farmfromage.com.

Make a Splash!

Summer has arrived, and we’re ready to make a splash! My family is no stranger to Lancaster County’s waterways – 1,500 stream miles exist, not to mention destinations such as Speedwell Forge and Middle Creek  – as we spend many hot summer days with kayak paddles in hand. And, we have plenty of company since kayaking is the fastest growing water sport in the country. Initially, we found our sea legs on the more mild Conestoga River, but it wasn’t long before we found our way to the Susquehanna River, the Chesapeake Bay and even the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

Fritz Schroeder, the director of Urban Greening at Lancaster County Conservancy, has a deep appreciation for our waterways and understands the problems they face. One day, Fritz and Spike Brant from Nimblist had an idea to celebrate our waterways while educating the public about the problems we face as a community, as well as how to get involved. These waterways connect us all: We rely on them for drinking water and recreation, and they are vital to the local economy. Unfortunately, 47% of those waters are too polluted to support their natural species.

With that vision in mind, Lancaster Water Week was born. The Lancaster County Conservancy has partnered with a number of local organizations to create events and activities throughout the week of June 3-10 to celebrate our waters. These partners have also created two grant funds – equally $30,000 – to support local water-based initiatives.

Water Week events: For details, visit lancasterwaterweek.org.

JUNE 3 Pedal to Preserve:

Proceeds from the rides of 6, 20 or 51 miles benefit Lancaster Farmland Trust. National Trails Day: Explore the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. Sponsored by Susquehanna Riverlands.

JUNE 4 Conestoga River Cleanup:

Help clean the river of debris on Lancaster’s south side.

JUNE 5 3rd Annual Clearwaters Golf Tournament at Conestoga Country Club:

Proceeds benefit the Lancaster County Clear Water Consortium. The Water Landscape and YOU @ WETi: Millersville University students will be conducting an on-site stream study during this family-friendly event.

JUNE 6 Healthy Water Film Screening:

Short films relating to the importance of healthy water will be screened at Tellus360. Sponsored by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.

JUNE 7 Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance Expo:

A family-friendly event that promises to be educational, motivational and fun. Manheim Farm Show Complex.

JUNE 8 Green Infrastructure Bike Tour:

Presented by the City of Lancaster and The Common Wheel, the ride ends at The Fridge.

JUNE 9 Guided Tour of Big Spring Run Restoration Project:

Water Science Institute is hosting this tour of the West Lampeter Township revitalization project. Native Plant Sale/Screening of Hometown Habitat: Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and the Native Plants in the Landscape Conference are sponsoring these activities at Millersville University.

JUNE 10 Make-Take Earth-Friendly Cleaning Products:

Sponsored by LCSWMA, the event will be held at the Transfer Station on Harrisburg Pike. Mill Creek Tree Planting: Sponsored by the Lancaster Conservation District. Picnic on the Preserve: Climbers Run Nature Preserve in Pequea will be the site of this event sponsored by the Lancaster County Conservancy.

 

 

Factory Tours

Many local manufacturers — both large and small — have opened up their doors and now allow visitors to take a unique look at what goes on behind the scenes; from farm equipment to snack foods, musical instruments to handcrafted furniture, factory tours provide a fun way to learn about what people are making in the Susquehanna Valley.

Pennsylvania is no stranger to world-famous manufacturing. Lancaster’s Armstrong World Industries has been supplying homes with flooring since 1891. Crayola has provided kids with colors since 1885. Pittsburgh is a city whose entire identity is based around the steel industry.

There’s a reason why cable channels such as History and Discovery run seemingly endless loops of shows like How It’s Made and Modern Marvels. Humans are curious animals. It’s not just enough to wonder what is inside a Twinkie, but how did it get in there? So, if you’re looking for something interesting to do this summer, take a factory tour.

Herr Foods

As proud members of group “barbecue,” my family and I stepped into a small theater attached to the Herr Foods visitor’s center for a short film on the history of James Stauffer Herr. With the assistance of his wife, Mim, Mr. Herr started the snack company by purchasing a small potato chip company and the one vehicle that was used to supply local Lancaster purveyors. This was in 1946. Herr Foods now goes beyond potatoes, and on our tour we learned about sourdough pretzels, tortilla chips and some of their newest products like Veg-ables!

Walking the tour, we moved from building to building, first stopping at the pretzel facility where thousands of crunchy snacks rolled past on conveyor belts. Our vantage point from above the production floor allowed us to see the entire operation and the seemingly endless collection of packaging materials ultimately bound for places all over the East Coast. Once in the potato chip packaging area, my mouth started to water. Employees oversaw bag after bag of freshly filled chips that featured an array of flavors (hot sauce, Old Bay, salt-and-pepper, etc.). Our tour guide donned safety gear, opened the door to the frying room and pulled fresh, warm chips from the belt and deposited them in our cupped hands.

Depending on the amount of questions the group poses, tours take just over an hour and come with a to-go snack.


Herr’s Snack Factory Tour. 271 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham; 1-800-63-SNACK or herrs.com/SnackFactoryTours.html. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday, 9-11 a.m. (Production not guaranteed on Thursday or Friday.) Cost: Adults $4; Children 4-17 $3; Children 3 and under are free.

New Holland Agriculture

New Holland Agriculture’s Survivor Tractor – a fully restored 9N purple tractor – is touring dealerships around the country this year. The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness and funding for cancer research. The initiative kicked off last year when New Holland purchased the tractor from the owners of Wolgemuth Auction in Leola. Together, the companies donated the proceeds of the sale ($32,000) to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. The tour is also being held as part of New Holland’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the first mass-produced tractor.

As much an American icon as its big green competitor, New Holland Agriculture has been supplying hardworking men and women with farm equipment since 1895. While New Holland tractors have been featured in music (Backroad Song by Granger Smith) and spotted on CBS’ The Amazing Race, most Lancastrians associate the big, blue machines with their tiny namesake borough in the eastern part of the county.

At the age of 26, Abe Zimmerman – described by the factory tour guide as a mechanical genius – opened New Holland Machine Company, which became the foundation for the global giant New Holland Agriculture. Zimmerman started with a wind-powered, stationary corn cob mill, which sold for $18 in 1899. Not satisfied, he went on to develop a hit-and-miss engine and patented a tapered water jacket in 1903, which made the machine “freeze proof.” Along with a dozen other pieces of early equipment, an example of the engine is on display at the start of the tour where visitors don reflective jackets, safety glasses and headsets.

Following the blue lines painted on the floor and led by a retiree from the plant, guests are led through the baler assembly line – the tractor-pulled piece of gear, which packs hay into manageable rolls for transportation and storage – from start to finish. Every piece of the baler is manufactured on-site. Computer-aided lasers cut thick sheets of metal. Employees hand-feed powerful brakes to bend and form pieces. Powder coating rooms turn raw materials into lustrous, finished pieces.

The tour takes over an hour, and there are no stops. Today, red and yellow New Holland balers come in all shapes and sizes, the hallmark of the agricultural industry in Lancaster County … and beyond!


New Holland Agriculture Factory Tour. 500 Diller Ave., Building 30, New Holland; 717-355-1588. Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. (The accompanying gift shop is open even when tours are not running.) Cost: Free

George’s Furniture

Technically located in Lancaster County, but still a participating member of the York Factory Tours program, George’s Furniture is off the beaten path in Marietta. This informal tour provides a behind-the-scenes look at the family business’ woodshop and how George’s Furniture creates its beds, tables and chairs.

Our tour started off with a demonstration of strength as owner Chris Horst lengthened a section of a large dining room table and promptly sat on the metal and wood guides suited for expansion leafs. I expected to at least pick up a few pieces of shattered wood – if not Chris himself – but the table easily held his weight. Flipping over this and every piece of George’s Furniture reveals the signature of the craftsman who created it. It is a mark of pride and dedication to quality not often seen anymore.

The short tour concludes in the showroom where visitors can see some of the earliest pieces created by founder George Martin, who started the business in 1970.


George’s Furniture Inc. 9 Reichs Church Rd., Marietta; 717-426-1004 or georgeswood.com. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Free

Bluett Bros. Violins

Across the river, York holds the self-proclaimed moniker of Factory Tour Capital of the World. Who knew? I’d always known the Harley-Davidson factory tour was a big draw, but after learning children under the age of 12 are only able to visit the Tour Center and are not allowed on the factory tour, I decided to go another route with the family.

I found Bluett Bros. Violins on the York visitor’s guide website and gave a call to schedule a visit. On-site we were met by Mark Bluett, who has been running his business as a Master Luthier since 1984. A personable soul, Mark let us in on his history of instrument-making from his first attempt that was scuttled into his mother’s fireplace at the age of 12, to his recent Peabody Institute contest-winning violin, which beat out the sound of classic, collectable violins.
Mark’s hands have fashioned over 1,600 instruments to date. Not limited to violins, his shop produces guitars, cellos and many other unique stringed instruments. On display was an ornate Bouzouki, an instrument with ancient roots now popular with Irish folk music (see the “Tartan Terrors”).

Bluett Bros. Violins is a small shop, and it seems the tour lasts about as long as you want to stay and listen. As our tour was ending, Mark asked if we wanted to see his stock of horse hair used for making bows. From a cardboard tube he pulled out a long horse tail blonder than any I’ve ever seen on anyone’s head. It was a highlight of the day for the kids.


Bluett Bros. Violins. 122 Hill St., York; 717-854-9064 or bluettbros-violins.com. Hours: By appointment. Cost: $5 per person.

 

#LanCoTizer

Over the last four months, Uptown & Down writer Michael C. Upton has been scouring the county in search of the best appetizers Lancaster area restaurants have to offer. He’s been posting to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #LanCoTizer. Join in the fun! Take a photo of the appetizer you order, post and tag with #LanCoTizer. The September edition of Uptown & Down will take a closer look at some of these amazing eats. Instagram.com/p/BTolQmbDoIB

Damage Control

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

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.