LCM | April 2022

Mushrooms NATURE’S SUPER POWER

Birding

AMERICA’S NEW FAVORITE HOBBY APRIL 2022

Coming Home Jim Hoffer “Adapts” His Talents to Create the Lititz Shirt Factory

“HONORED to be the only local provider of Mobi-C.” Perry J. Argires, MD, FAANS, FACS Neurosurgeon Specializing in Cervical Disc Replacement and Spine Care Voted as the Best Surgeon in Lancaster County LNP Readers' Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

WE ARE YOUR CERVICAL DISC REPLACEMENT SPECIALISTS. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBI-C, GO TO WWW.CERVICALDISC.COM Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster was founded by Dr. Perry Argires to provide supreme surgical and non-surgical care to patients suffering from neck and spine pain and injury. The practice has sustained excellence due to the legacy of care in coordination with the team efforts

by Dr. Perry Argires and Dr. Louis Marotti to

create the most award winning spine care team in the county. Dr. Argires specializes in cervical disc replacement and spine care.

Our practice and its professionals will reduce the need for traditional pain medicines and instead promote progressive pain management treatments.

Call us to schedule an appointment today.

OUR OTHER DOCTORS...

Louis A. Marotti, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS Neurosurgeon Specializing in Spine Care Voted as the Best Surgeon in Lancaster County LNP Readers' Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

Steven M. Falowski, MD Neurosurgeon Specializing in Spinal Cord Stimulators LNP Readers' Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

Jarod B. John, MD Neurologist With a focus on elderly care and migraines LNP Readers' Choice Favorite Neurologist

Jack Smith, MD Pain Medicine

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Contents Feature

APRIL 2022 | VOLUME 35 | NUMBER 12

16.

16. Jim Hoffer …

Coming Home Meet Lititz native, Jim Hoffer, who became an award-winning investigative reporter at WABC in New York. Now retired and living back home in Lititz, Jim spent nearly four years restoring a former factory building to create the Lititz Shirt Factory, which combines two of his favorite things in life – craft beer and music.

ON THE COVER: Nick Gould photographed Jim Hoffer at the Lititz Shirt Factory. The art on the walls is from Frederick Swarr’s Musical Celebrities series that was on view in the third-floor gallery from October through early February.

Departments

8.

Gardening Journey

Birdwatching (or birding) is America’s favorite new hobby! Dr. Richard Bitner provides budding birders with information and tips for creating backyard habitats that will attract a variety of Be Scene! winged creatures.

Live music, theatre, art

gallery and museum exhibits, maker shows, outdoor activities and fundraising events are once Foodographer again dotting the calendar. Visit our website, lancastercountymag.com, Learn why mushrooms are to make plans and order considered nature’s super tickets for upcoming power. Jordan Bush provides events. a peek inside the mushroom houses that define parts of Chester and Berks counties.

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36.

Table for Two

Rochelle Shenk visits Agapē Café & Grille in Strasburg.

40. Why We Love Lancaster There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as spring, especially if you’re fortunate enough – as Nancy Myer Witmer is – to have Bluebirds visit your backyard.

Special Advertising Section

23.

Spring Fever

The businesses seen in this special advertising section are ready to help you update your look, remodel your home, transform your backyard, create curb appeal for the front of your house, maintain your lawn and landscaping, pamper your pets, experience farm life, support a local organization, enjoy a night out and relax with a favorite beverage.

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

32.

36.

What’s your Life Lived Forward?

Paul and Cheryl Reid never miss their weekly date night at Willow Valley Communities’ gourmet restaurant, Local Table. Eclectic cuisine, locally sourced and expertly prepared by professional chefs, provides an epicurean delight in an atmosphere that lends itself to a special experience. At Willow Valley Communities, residents have boundless opportunities to define their exceptional lifestyle, all with the peace of mind of Lifecare.

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L ANCASTER’ S

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PUBLISHER Jocelyn Engle EDITOR Suzanne Starling-Long Sue@lancastercountymag.com

YOU’LL LOVE LOMBARDO’S iconic Italian cuisine. It’s been a Lancaster favorite for over 75 years. Offering warm hospitality in an upscale atmosphere, Lombardo’s is perfect for date night, business gatherings, and enjoying time with friends and family. It’s the most authentic Italian cuisine this side of Italy.

Come and try out our delicious Chilled Seafood Salad!

Check lombardosrestaurant.com for hours and to make a reservation.

lunch Tuesday to Saturday 11–2:30pm dinner Tuesday to Thursday 4–9:30pm Friday and Saturday 4–10pm 717.394.3749 216 Harrisburg Avenue

Save some space in your garden for a great cause!

Hospice & Community Care

Plant Sale •• Perennials Annuals June 3 & 4 •• Shrubs Vegetables 685 Good Drive, Lancaster

Friday, 3 – 7 p.m.

Meet Tim Arpin from The Gilded Lily

Sat., 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sponsored by The Gilded Lily

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Proceeds support:

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

• Herbs • House plants • Succulents

ART DIRECTOR Ashley Kendrick Kennedy Ashley@lancastercountymag.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Kaylee Rex Kaylee@lancastercountymag.com MARKETING DIRECTOR Rachel Stebbins Rstebbins@engleonline.com REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS

P H OTO G RA P H E R S

Dr. Richard L. Bitner Jill Brown Rochelle A. Shenk Michael C. Upton Kathleen Wagner

Jordan Bush Nick Gould Kirk Zutell

ADVERTISING INFORMATION 717-492-2525 SALES MANAGER Greg March Gmarch@engleonline.com ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Karen Stoltzfus Karen@lancastercountymag.com Christine Smolenski Christine@lancastercountymag.com PRODUCED & PUBLISHED BY Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. PROUD MEMBER OF:

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Statements and opinions are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of Lancaster County Magazine.

Materials are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Suggestions welcome. Single copy price $2.95 (discounts available on quantity orders).

Subscription price is $16.95 for 12 issues. Use address below.

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Gardening Journey Hosting Feathered Friends

Cindy Schlosser, the artist/ owner of Gallery on Market in Downtown Lancaster, is working on a series of her signature wooden bowls that feature a mix of birds and flowers. The Goldfinch (left) is her most recent edition. For more information, visit galleryonmarket.com.

Last spring our gardening

Attracting Birds to the Home Garden Backyard birding has become America’s newest favorite hobby.

For some, it’s a rediscovered pastime, while for others, it’s a newfound fascination. Regardless, birding – or birdwatching – provides people with a way to disconnect from technology and connect with nature.

BY DR. RICHARD L. BITNER

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

journeys recognized that with many people working and learning from home, households were adopting dogs in record numbers. Sharing the yard with Fido brought unexpected challenges for some gardeners, so I addressed those concerns and provided coping strategies.

A year later, with so many people still working from home, I’ve been fielding yet another animal-related question: “How can I attract more birds to my yard? I love seeing them when I look up from my computer screen.” While birds provide a pleasant diversion from work, people are also discovering that birding can bring enjoyment for the whole family, as birds can provide even toddlers with an introduction to the natural world.

How popular has birding become?

According to Wild Bird Unlimited’s website, 81 million Americans consider themselves to be backyard birders. That equates to an economic impact. For example, the same company’s website estimates those 81 million backyard birders spend $5 billion annually on seed and wildlife food. The number climbs to $7.6 billion for feeders, birdbaths and other necessities. Who would have thought that “eagle cams” would become “must-see” entertainment?

Or, that birding vacations would become a thing?

I can’t think of a more engaging hobby than birding. Birds have held our attention since the dawn of time. As children, we learned that the migration of birds signaled that spring or fall was fast approaching.

Watching Geese in their V-shaped formations heading north or south is still mesmerizing.

Spying the first Robin was cause for celebration, as it signaled that spring was soon to arrive. (Native Americans equated the bird’s red breast to the return of the sun’s warmth.) The fact that the birds now stay put could be an indication of how global climate change is affecting their migratory patterns. Now, they join us in enduring the winter weather.

When buying wire feeders, make certain the metal is strong, as squirrels can destroy weak varieties.

The RollerFeeder is the first design I’ve found that truly confounds squirrels.

A tube feeder is a good starting point for novice birders.

Who doesn’t smile at the sight of a Bluebird? In fact, Bluebird of Happiness Day is celebrated each year on September 24.

Bluebirds, which symbolize joy, happiness and good luck, have been the subject of poetry, art, fairy tales and music. Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café is aptly named, as many country-music stars have gotten their starts there.

Cardinals are also symbolic – they’ve come to represent hope and joy. Hence, the Cardinal is often depicted on holiday greeting cards and takes the shape of ornaments. Mourning Doves are associated with similar sentiments, as they symbolize love, hope and peace.

Finally, all you need to do is visit Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in late winter to observe the fascination humans hold for nature. Thousands of people make their way to Middle Creek in late February and early March to observe the incredible sight of Snow Geese and other water fowl stopping over in Lancaster County during their spring migration.

Attracting Birds The good news is that it’s relatively easy to get started in creating your own little backyard bird sanctuary. Be assured,

The Original Absolute Bird Feeder from Duncraft is made of metal and does a good job of dissuading visits from squirrels.

you don’t have to live in a rural area to connect with this hobby. It is amazing how many birds are found in the least-natural areas of urban development. A great deal of benefit and enjoyment can result from simply providing birds with a tube feeder, a suet holder and a birdbath. After the initial outlay, you’ll need to expect the ongoing cost of feed.

In addition to providing a source of food that they prefer, you’ll also need to supply birds with shelter for nesting and protection, as well as water in all seasons for drinking and bathing. Preferably these necessities would be located within a reasonable distance from one another. In short, you will be providing them with habitat. Preferences will vary from bird to bird.

TO START, THE home gardener must first learn what birds are likely in the area in order to provide suitable plantings or seeds to attract them. If there is a bird enthusiast in the neighborhood, you have a head start.

Keep a bird field guide on hand to begin to learn to identify species you might expect to attract or to identify a new bird that shows up. You will soon learn to look carefully and notice markings. Make notes.

Be aware of your bird’s behavior, which is also a help in identifying your visitor. Do

they feed on the ground, on a perch or at a feeder? Sometimes it’s helpful to observe the flight patterns and pay close attention to the bird’s song. With your ID book, you can compare the geographic distribution of species, male and female differences and migratory patterns. On occasion I’ve taken a photo of a new bird and sent it to a friend who is an avid bird watcher to identify.

There might even be a regional bird club.

Locally, the Lancaster County Bird Club has been in existence since 1937. It does offer a program for beginners that includes field trips to favorite birding areas. The next such outing is scheduled for April 2, with Riverfront Park in Marietta being the destination. Visit the club’s website, lancasterbirdclub.org, for details about membership, events and the beginner’s program.

Bird-Feeding Stations Now that you’ve identified the main species that are already in your locality, you are all set to select the seeds that are most attractive and nutritious for them. With the arrival of spring, now is a grand time to get started on establishing feeding stations. The over-wintering birds will have exhausted the local supply of berries and seeds and will soon discover your new feeding station.

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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Establish a feeding station in a site where you can enjoy watching the birds from inside your house. Be mindful that windows can be a hazard because they reflect the sky and trees, causing birds to fly right into them. In order to avoid a collision, some homeowners put decals on windows or apply a grid pattern with a marker.

Once the birds become accustomed to your handouts, you must be diligent.

If your feeder is not refilled regularly, the birds will suffer. By next winter, the birds will have begun to depend on your feeders for food. Should you take a trip or even go away for several days, have someone in the neighborhood fill your feeder.

You want your birds to be healthy.

Dirty feeders can spread disease, especially feeders that get wet. I check my wire feeders every week or so. Invariably there are seeds that have filtered to the bottom that get moldy. I use a chopstick to reach the bottom crusts and then rinse the feeder with a diluted bleach solution.

I must emphasize that it is extremely important that you accept the responsibility of cleaning your feeders regularly and keeping the water clean. Illnesses have spread among bird populations from foul feeding stations.

Squirrels and Other Predators Figuring out how you can protect the feeders from predators is also necessary.

Ideally there should be nearby trees and shrubs to provide shelter for your birds when Hawks appear above. Hanging feeders need to be positioned high enough so that foxes and raccoons can’t reach them.

Crafty squirrels are definitely the biggest pests in my feeders and unfortunately are difficult to control. My strategy is to use squirrel baffles on the poles of the feeding stations. They work very well and are a good investment.

However, I’ve learned that in a situation where several supporting poles are closer than five or six feet apart, the crafty critters will jump from under the baffle on one pole to above the baffle on the other! But even so, do not position a feeder under a branch, as squirrels can jump onto them easily.

Raccoons have been a particularly annoying pest at my pole feeders. They are able to crawl up and over the squirrel baffle and will empty the feeder. I used a live trap a few times and transplanted the rascals but abandoned that method after catching a skunk! My solution when I spot raccoons is to take the feeders indoors every night and put them out again at sunrise, since raccoons are nocturnal feeders.

Also remember to store your bird feed

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

supply in metal containers to protect it from rodents. Other considerations: Birds like it when trees or shrubs are eight or 10 feet away from feeding stations, which allows them to take cover when predators appear.

Pet cats should always be kept indoors for their own safety and health. Period.

Choosing Feeders There are many design options in feeding stations.

One can provide a simple woodenplatform table feeder on a post or windowsill. These should be four to six feet off the ground. Never put them among shrubbery or under overhanging branches that provide launching pads for squirrels and cats. Table feeders should have a roof to keep the feed dry. Obviously a gusty wind will scatter and waste the seeds.

I prefer metal feeders with a perch design that drops down when a heavier bird like a Blue Jay attempts to feed. While they are advertised as squirrel-proof, I find that the rascals soon figure out they can lean down from the feeder roof and access the seeds without tripping the gate.

My favorite feeder, which can be hung from a tree and is absolutely squirrel proof, is the RollerFeeder (rollerfeeder.com).

Granted, these feeders are rather expensive; however, the cost is quickly recovered because there is no wasted food. In fact, I fill mine with the more high-priced sunflower hearts and avoid the messy seed hulls underneath. Goldfinches line up at this feeder. It’s hilarious to watch the squirrels stymied by the clever design.

Cylindrical all-metal hanging wire mesh feeders are ideal for clinging and perching birds and are easily filled and cleaned. Be sure to get one with good-quality wire or the squirrels will chew right through it. Did I mention that squirrels love bird-feeding stations?

If you refill a small feeder on a daily basis, the best time to put out food is just after sunrise, as it is when birds like to refuel.

What Do Birds Like?

SEEDS The categories overlap, but in general the eating habits of birds are either a diet of insects and small organisms or a diet consisting mainly of seeds. In next month’s GJ, I will recommend plants that will attract insects to your garden and provide nectar supply for Hummingbirds. Keep in mind there will be more insect life in your garden if you do not spray pesticides.

Seeds are offered in various “wild bird” mixtures consisting of a variety of seeds, nuts and dried fruits that attract a diversity

of birds. Read the labels carefully and don’t go for the cheapest bag, as those mixtures often have contents the birds won’t actually eat. Also, the cheaper mixtures of bird seed have a large percentage of millet. I’ve found that birds will not eat millet and it ends up being scratched away and wasted. Perhaps buy smaller bags until you figure out the preferences of the birds you want to attract.

My experience is that black-oil sunflower seeds are the single-best selection. Once I’ve determined that a feeder is completely squirrel and Blue Jay proof, I buy the more expensive sunflower seed hearts (I put these in my RollerFeeder and there is no waste).

The seed covering is allelopathic, meaning that plant growth is inhibited (similar to the well-known effect under a walnut tree).

Some bird enthusiasts report success with supplying chicken feed or cracked corn.

SUET Essential in winter, but a favorite all year is suet, which serves as one of the best energy sources for birds. It is a solidified mixture of animal fat mixed with seeds. Suet cakes – Royal Wing is a typical brand – are readily available at places like Tractor Supply or bird supply dealers in a standard size for wire-mesh feeders. The wire enclosure prevents large and aggressive birds from taking off with large chunks.

You’ll find DIY recipes for rendering fat and molding suet cakes or baskets online. I’ll warn you that it’s a smelly mess and you’ll never do it a second time!

GRIT Sand and crushed oyster, egg or clam shells will supply calcium and provide the grit for the roughage birds need to digest food.

WATER SOURCE For the birds to actually bathe in a “birdbath” rather than just perch on the side to drink, the construction has to provide a gradual depth – from a very shallow half inch to no more than three inches at the middle.

A rough-textured surface is preferable to provide a foothold.

Refilling and cleaning out the birdbath on a regular basis is important. A heater will assure unfrozen water in winter. Look for that old aquarium heater that’s somewhere in the garage and put it to use.

Housing for Your Birds Humans are not the only species experiencing a housing shortage. There is also a housing shortage for the birds, particularly in newly developed areas where woodland has been cut and brush cleared.

New gardens take years to be established and sadly, poor choices – with no benefit

for wildlife – are often made when planting.

Plus, suburban gardens are habitually overly manicured. Hence, it’s become important to make housing available to our feathered friends.

While birdhouses do not have to be elaborate, there are certain building “codes” to ensure they will be occupied. The boxes need to be a certain size, while the holes need to be a certain height from the floor and a particular diameter. Once you decide what birds you’d like to attract to your garden, easy building plans or examples of appropriate houses are readily available on the web.

We might like brightly painted, artsylooking birdhouses as garden ornaments, but they should be as similar as possible to a specie’s natural nesting place. Choose those with natural wood or stain on the outside or materials mimicking settings like tree bark or dense reeds. The diameter of the entrance will be determined by the size of the bird you are wanting to attract. A large hole is an invitation to a predator.

Secure construction is important to provide protection from wind and rain.

Rot-resistant wood will provide housing for many generations of birds. Bald cypress (Taxodium) is especially desirable. Often one can get inexpensive short-end cuttings of hardwoods – ideal for building a bird box – that would otherwise be ground into mulch from a sawmill.

Always put the rough side of the wood on the inside of the house, as it provides footing for the fledging to get out of the nest. Use rustproof hinges and hardware to make one wall removable so that the house can be easily cleaned annually in early spring.

Position the back of the birdhouse to the prevailing wind.

Information on designs favored by specific species is readily available online.

What varies, for instance among common birds like Bluebirds, Swallows, Flycatchers, Robins, Phoebes, Wrens, Chickadees, Nuthatches and Flickers, will be the height of the hole above the floor, the hole’s diameter, the depth of cavity and the height above the ground.

I recommend Cornell Ornithology’s website for reliable information about selecting or building houses your birds will actually use: nestwatch.org/learn/all-aboutbirdhouses.

Of course, not all birds use houses.

Swallows make their nests on open ledges, often under the eaves of outbuildings.

Many birds prefer nesting in tree holes. An example is the Eastern Bluebird. They like to nest in cavities in old trees, either natural cavities or old Woodpecker holes in dead trees. Readers with wooded areas should not

Clockwise from top left: Birds fuel-up at a squirrel-proof feeder.

A metal grid keeps large birds from dislodging big chunks of suet from a feeder.

Each species has housing requirements that include the style of house, as well as the diameter of the entrance hole and its height from the floor of the house.

A Baltimore Oriole visits a feeder.

Baffles help to keep squirrels and other predators from reaching a feeding station.

Don’t get me started on the havoc raccoons can cause …

Or, squirrels for that matter!

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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always rush to remove dead trees that aren’t a risk to property.

Birds of a Feather …

I have had all of the following species at my feeders and am listing them from more to less common. Rest assured, most insecteaters appreciate suet and the seed-eaters will check out all sorts of commercial seed mixtures. Be prepared to start your birding journal soon after you put the first feed out!

NORTHERN CARDINAL: This bird is ubiquitous in our area and feeds on insects, seeds (especially sunflower), fruits and grains. It nests in trees.

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: This bird will readily use a nest box and favors suet, sunflower seeds, peanut butter and insects.

It’s fun to watch them take a single black-oil sunflower seed to a favorite branch, place it between their feet and pound it open with their bills.

TUFTED TITMOUSE: This bird also picks up its favorite food and retreats to a sheltered spot on a nearby tree. Its diet consists of suet, sunflower seeds, raisins, insects in summer and shrub fruits and pine seeds in fall. It’s known to cache seeds and nuts in crevices of bark. It’s a cavity nester.

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: This bird will dart up the trunk of a tree and, just

as easily, turn around and scamper down head first, aided by its sharp, curved claws. It easily finds hidden insects. At the feeder they love suet, sunflower seeds and peanut butter.

They also seek out nutmeats and shrub fruits (elderberries, mountain ash, Virginia creeper and raspberries). It prefers to nest in tree cavities but will use a nest box.

SLATE-COLORED JUNCO: Abundant in this area, they are often called “snowbirds” because they show up just as winter sets in.

They will gather under your feeders to scratch for the seeds kicked off by the Chickadees and Nuthatches. Scatter sunflower seeds, grains and nutmeats on the ground for them.

Or, plant tall amaranths, which will hold their seeds high above snow cover.

MOURNING DOVE: They are present year-round and are tree nesters and ground feeders that favor sunflower seeds and cracked corn.

WOODPECKER (including Flickers): These much-loved winter visitors perch and forage in trees for insects and insect egg larvae. They also love berried shrubs, suet and peanut butter. They will straight away find your suet feeders and return multiple times every day. For use in a wire feeder, Lyric makes a terrific Woodpecker mix (lyricbirdfood.com). They generally excavate their own tree cavity but will use a nest box.

make a choice you can feel good about forever

BLUE JAY: This bird will eat acorns, sunflower seeds, corn and even small mammals, snakes and frogs. They are noisy, aggressive and are known to rob nests of eggs. Don’t encourage them!

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

GOLDFINCH: They love seeds in flower heads, especially sunflowers and dandelions.

A weedy spot is a buffet for them! At feeders they favor seed mixtures. There are often several Goldfinches at the RollerFeeder and others waiting close by. They are resident year-round. Remember, the male changes his bright-yellow and black summer plumage to duller, faded olive in winter.

HOUSE WREN: My favorite bird! I can count on Mr. Wren to arrive April 14 every year to stake out his territory. While he will nest in odd nooks and crannies, I make certain I will enjoy his cheerful persistent songs nearby through providing a simple nesting box with a hole no more than 1.25 inches in diameter (such ready-made boxes are widely available). Wrens don’t care whether it is hanging from a tree or securely nailed to a pole. They prefer insects exclusively and are great for controlling insect pests. They are recognizable for their upright stubby tails.

GRAY CATBIRD: This bird loves thick brushy areas and tangles, as well as lowgrowing shrubs where they uncover insects, spiders, berries and fruit.

Northern Cardinal

Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch Slatecolored Junco

Goldfinch House Wren

Mourning Dove

Woodpecker

Blue Jay

Gray Catbird

DR. RICHARD L. BITNER is a horticultural lecturer and photographer.

He is the author of three books on conifers and teaches a conifers course at the Barnes Arboretum School at St. Joseph’s University. His website is ConifersForGardens.com.

Helping You Welcome Spring Since 1972 Visit us today for veggies, flowers, perennials, shrubs and more!

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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Get Outdoors!

Spring has finally arrived and with it comes opportunities to get outside and enjoy the weather.

BEGINNER BIRDING TRIP April 2, 9 a.m.

Riverfront Park, Marietta Search for spring migrants and scope the Susquehanna River with the Lancaster County Bird Club.

Lancasterbirdclub.org.

BIRDS, NESTS, EGGS AND BABIES

April 2, 3-4 p.m. • Lancaster County Central Park Environmental Center Learn about local birds and their nests that might be found in your yard.

Also, check the nesting boxes around the Environmental Center and then make a bird nest container for your own backyard. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/ public-programs or 717-295-2055.

SHENK’S FERRY WILDFLOWERS

April 14, 10-11:30 a.m. • Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve Enjoy a memorable walk through the preserve as its renowned spring wildflowers bloom. Co.lancaster. pa.us/317/public-programs or 717-295-2055.

FULL MOON WALK: Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs

April 16, 8-9 p.m. • Lancaster County Central Park, Pavilion #21 Parking Lot Take a walk along the wildflower trail under the light of the full moon as wildflowers and trees bud and bloom. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/publicprograms or 717-295-2055.

TERRE HILL EASTER EGG HUNT & FLASHLIGHT HUNT

April 16 • Terre Hill Park Enjoy photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, face painting and egg hunts from 12-2 p.m. For older children, a flashlight egg hunt will take place at 8 p.m. Terrehilldays.com or 717-445-4581.

RIVER TOWNS PLEIN AIR

April 18-27 • Various Locations Artists will paint “en plein air” over a 10-day period on both sides of the Susquehanna River. Watch the artists at work, then visit the resulting art exhibit at Studio 264 in Marietta.

Mariettaartalive.com or 717-314-9551.

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EPHRATA EARTH DAY CLEAN-UP

April 23, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Whistle Stop Plaza Participants will meet at Whistle Stop Plaza and divide into groups assigned to clean up specific areas of Ephrata.

Mainspringofephrata.org or 717-721-6196.

Mockingbird

Rufous-sided Towhee Baltimore Oriole

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

April 22, 6-7:30 p.m. • Lancaster County Central Park Environmental Center Learn about Earth Day, make fun crafts and participate in a nature walk to pick up litter and beautify the park. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/publicprograms or 717-295-2055.

SPEEDWELL FORGE FAMILY HIKE

April 23, 2-3:30 p.m. • Speedwell Forge County Park Enjoy spring wildlife and wilderness with a guided hike along the lowlands of Hammer Creek and a wooded loop trail through the hardwood forest. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/publicprograms or 717-295-2055.

Eastern Phoebe Brown-headed Cowbird

PADDLE IN THE PARK

April 24, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., 12:15-1:15 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m. • Lancaster County Central Park Experience canoeing in the Conestoga River. Three hourly time slots are available. Co.lancaster.pa.us/317/ public-programs or 717-295-2055.

LANCASTER BARNSTORMERS OPENING NIGHT

April 29, 6:30 p.m. • Clipper Magazine Stadium Kick off the 2022 baseball season with a night of ’80s nostalgia, live music, fireworks and America’s favorite pastime as the Lancaster Barnstormers take on the York Revolution.

Lancasterbarnstormers.com or 717-509-4487.

RACE AGAINST RACISM

April 30, 9 a.m. • Musser Park Run or walk in the 24th Annual Race Against Racism, hosted by YWCA Lancaster. Proceeds support the Center for Racial and Gender Equity and community programs for education, training, advocacy and change.

Ywcalancaster.org or 717-393-1735.

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

Cedar Waxwing MOCKINGBIRD: This bird also likes to nest in shrubbery.

It scavenges for insects and caterpillars in warm season, and fruits and berries in winter. At feeders, they favor dried fruits, nutmeats and raisins. They are often pushy.

RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE: This bird is a ground feeder and nester. Don’t expect this chap to stop by if you have a highly maintained landscape. They love tangled thickets and dead leaves full of insects, fallen seeds and berries.

EASTERN PHOEBE: A migrant that returns early to our area, this bird catches insects in flight, builds nests of mud with grass, leaves, hair and feathers often under a bridge or beam. Provide it with suet.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE: A large bird displaying a brilliant flash of black and orange, it likes to rummage in the canopies of trees for insects, grasshoppers, spiders and caterpillars. It will also be attracted by nutmeats and berries; it especially likes apple and

orange halves. They build their nests that hang from the ends of branches in a framework that looks like a long open bag.

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: You can only hope that this parasitic bird does not appear near your garden.

CEDAR WAXWING: This bird eats berries from Eastern redcedar trees (of course, it’s not a cedar nor are they berries), but in spring and summer it favors insects, beetles and crickets.

There’s a chance of attracting them to your feeder with pieces of raw apple and raisins.

Sources READING • What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing – What Birds Are Doing, and Why David Allen Sibley 2020 (Sibley Guides) Knopf ISBN-10 0307957896 ISBN-13 978-0307957894 FEEDERS/NEST BOXES/SEED MIXTURES • Wild Bird Superstore, duncraft.com • Wild Birds Unlimited, wbu.com • Lyric Bird Seed, lyricbirdfood.com WEB INFORMATION SOURCES • • • • •

American Birding Association, aba.org Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, birds.cornell.edu National Audubon Society, audubon.org North American Bluebird Society, nabluebirdsociety.org Purple Martin Conservation Association, purplemartin.org

summer

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Sports & games Exciting STEM activities Arts, crafts, music, dance & drama Field trips & events Kindergarten enrichment program

Locations in Lancaster and Leola ChesterbrookAcademy.com/Camp

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2/9/22 3:14 PM LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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A neon sign in the lobby of the building announces you have arrived at the Lititz Shirt Factory, which has become a modern-day community center, as it is home to a brewery, a music venue, a revolving art gallery and events such as weddings, business meetings and owner Jim Hoffer’s podcast that he hosts with Kim Schaller.

Jim Hoffer

Coming Home

BY MICHAEL C. UPTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

The three-story building that has served many purposes over its lifetime, was sitting empty when Jim Hoffer literally ran past it during a trip home to Lititz, and began considering new uses for it.

Nestled at the back of Zum Anker Alley in Downtown Lititz is an impressive, three-story brick structure dating from the turn of the 20th century. The entrance of the reincarnated Lititz Shirt Factory opens to the one-way section of Juniper Lane and those who venture inside will discover the home of the Collusion Tap Works’ Lititz location and a two-tiered music and art venue within a restored piece of small-town history. “Re”established in 2020, the venture was sparked in the mind of Lititz native, Jim Hoffer.

M

ultiple Emmy Awardwinning investigative reporter Jim Hoffer found his niche by sneaking around Naval bases, was devastated by 9/11 as it unraveled before his eyes, survived personal struggles and then decided to retire back to his hometown of Lititz … to start up a music venue.

Jim took time to talk about his life and his new endeavor over a cup of coffee at Café Arabella.

THE KID FROM LITITZ Café Arabella looks a lot different from when Jim worked here as a kid putting in daily shifts after school at what was then a local pharmacy. The work was as close to a full-time job as a teen could have. Raised by a single mother who worked at many Lititz institutions – including Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer) and Stauffers of Kissel Hill – and raised four boys “pretty much on her

own,” Jim says he was a good kid.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of time to get in trouble,” adds Jim, who spent a lot of time at work, kept his nose clean for the most part and participated in sports at Warwick, specifically running. “If you got in trouble back then, which would have been the late ’60s and early ’70s, someone would call you out on it. And then they’d let your mom know about it, too.”

He had his share of fun sprinkled with just a touch of mischief, but for the most part this community kept itself in check.

He credits Lititz for having a “protective” nature and helping to raise him through his formative years. At Warwick High School, it was Jim’s 11th-grade speech teacher, Mrs. Wanda Shirk, who – impressed with his tone and delivery – recommended he go into radio. The recognition was all it took to set Jim on a career path. He graduated from Warwick, class of 1977, and went on to Temple University.

“I liked Temple a lot. I loved that besides the academic education, I also got a sort-of urban education,” Jim recalls.

“Imagine growing up in Lititz and then all of a sudden living in South Philly. A huge Mafia war was going on at the time I lived there, and I was in the heart of the Italian section.” Shootings were commonplace in his neighborhood. Jim lived not far from Philip Charles Testa, a.k.a. The Chicken Man, who died from injuries sustained when a bomb exploded under the front porch of his South Philly home.

“There was a war going on,” says Jim. “But I loved living in Philadelphia. I still love that city.”

THE PROFESSIONAL For a short time after college graduation, his hometown area filled Jim’s career needs. He started working at WSBA in York as a traffic reporter. He also worked in radio at WLPA in Downtown Lancaster.

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

Jim took a post at WLYH Channel 15 in Mount Gretna, a CBS affiliate at the time, where he anchored local news for the first time. Today, sipping on coffee – one of his top two favorite beverages, the other being craft beer – the nostalgic chat about radio and TV stations of the past leads the conversation to 6ABC Action News out of Philadelphia, where legendary Jim Gardner was anchorman while Jim was going to school for journalism.

The draw of a bigger market lured Jim away from Pennsylvania.“I didn’t start off as an investigator. At first, my favorite stories to tell were human interest and I accidentally fell into the career of investigative reporter,” he explains.

THE “ACCIDENT” STARTED while he was working at an ABC affiliate in New Haven, Connecticut. He remembers how a tip came into the news desk. Naval Submarine Base New London is an hour’s drive east of New Haven and the tip questioned the facility’s security, claiming nuclear-powered subs were left unguarded.

Jim teamed up with a photographer and headed to the base one evening. Sure enough, he drove an unmarked van right onto the base without question.

“This was shortly after the Oklahoma City bombing, which used a U-Haul to blow up a federal building. We wanted to see if we could get a van next to these submarines. We parked there for 30 minutes, and nobody said a thing. We even left it there unattended,” Jim says. The investigative spirit set in. He wondered if he could get a boat up to the subs. “We took this skiff up the Thames River and rode all around these boats, touching the submarines. Nobody said a word to us.”

The story went national. The governor of Connecticut got involved. Jim had found his niche. And then he left for New York City.

“My wife at the time [Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe] got a job at CBS in New York and we both wanted to be working in the same city,” Jim notes.

He took a job at WABC Channel 7 in New York, where he served as an investigative journalist for 21 years. “I had a long, good

LSF’s Facebook page tells the tale of the extent to which the building had deteriorated. Working with the TONO Group to repurpose the building was a nearly four-year process, with the goal being to create specific spaces for designated purposes on all three floors. Sandblasting the interior walls created a patina that only comes with age. Wood was repurposed to create flooring and staircases. Unique lighting from Olde Brick Lighting complements the era in which the building was constructed. Metal elements play into the industrial-modern vibe of the building. The art on the walls is from artist Frederick Swarr’s Musical Celebrities series and was on view from October through early February. LSF was presented with the Achievement Award for Great Spaces by the Lancaster County Planning Commission in 2021.

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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run there,” he says of covering the 2003 blackout when parts of New York City were without power for two days; the American Airlines Flight 587 crash in the Rockaway Peninsula of Queens; and the Harlem Medicaid fraud, as well as other scams and forms of corruption.

Collusion Tap Works, which is based in York, fills the first floor of the building, offering food and brews such as (left to right): Spinning Sounds (pale ale), Vivid River (tart session), Doomfinger (imperial stout) and Old Skool (West Coast IPA). The food menu includes a wide selection of apps/ starters, flatbread pizza, salads, quesadillas, burgers and handhelds.

OUR CONVERSATION turns to 9/11.

On September 11, 2001, Jim headed to work a bit earlier than he usually would on a Tuesday morning. There was a primary election in the city, and he was tasked with fielding any reports of election irregularities.

“That day is indelible. It was the worst day of my life,” Jim says. A call came across the intercom stating a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center and Jim responded like he would for any kind of accident. Except, maybe part of him knew this was not any kind of accident; he was immediately queasy. “When the second plane hit, I realized we were under attack.”

He spent hours on the ground covering the story, dodging pieces of buildings as they fell around him. Billowing ash and debris served as a background to his live reports; a glance at his watch and he marked the time when the World Trade Towers no longer stood on the Manhattan skyline in a clip that can still be found on YouTube today.

“I saw things I hope I never have to see again,” he shares. “It felt surreal, and I don’t know if that is just the mind trying to protect itself, because I knew it was real. It was happening. You had to put it on automatic that day because if you thought about it too much, you would just break down.”

He credits his Lancaster County work ethic for propelling him through the tragedy and through the rest of his career.

EVENTUALLY, THE TIME came to lay down the microphone and step away from the camera lens. So, he left New York and headed back to Lititz. “A series of things happened to me. I realized, ‘Who knows how much time I have on this Earth,’” Jim recalls. He battled through prostate cancer and survived. His brother got cancer and did not. His marriage ended in a divorce.

“I thought, ‘If I’m going to do something else with my life before the sand runs out of the hourglass, I better get to it,’” says Jim, and then gestures over his shoulder. “So, I bought this building behind me.”

THE ENTREPRENEUR Rundown. Ramshackle. Those are the words Jim uses to describe 5 Juniper Lane, Lititz, when he got the idea to buy the building that would become Lititz

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

Shirt Factory. The old factory started making men’s shirts in 1916 as the Tauber Ryttenberg and Company Shirt Factory.

The hum of sewing machines filled the warehouse for decades and the building saw many uses over the years. Recently, for several years, the building sat empty. One hundred years after Tauber Ryttenberg and Company, Jim decided to make it a “shirt factory” once again.

“The building wasn’t for sale, and I just remember running by the old brick warehouse and noticing it was empty. It just kind of spoke to me,” Jim notes. “Here’s this big brick building one block from the square and it’s empty. How’s this possible?

I knew I could work as an investigative journalist until I dropped dead, but I wanted to retire. I needed to find out if I could do something else in my life.”

JIM ULTIMATELY PERSUADED the owner to part with the building. At age 59, Jim left a successful career behind him and followed a path of circumstance and serendipity. He admits he did not really have a plan for the building when he bought it in 2016. He was still living in New York at the time and hopping back and forth between the Big Apple and Lititz on the weekends. Teaming up with TONO Group architects – the same firm that adapted the building in which LUCA is located – Jim transformed the space into something that encompasses two of his life’s passions: beer and live music.

“I thought, ‘Let’s bring these two things that I love together,” says Jim, who started searching for the right brewer to bring into the space. “I wanted to really like their beer if they were going to be my tenant in the building.”

He came across Collusion Tap Works, which opened in York in 2016, and was impressed. The Barnes family, owners of Collusion, could easily manage the operations of a taproom and kitchen. What Jim wanted to oversee was booking and management of a music venue.

The doors of the Lititz Shirt Factory finally opened in 2020, kind of. “My advice would be to not open up a music venue in the middle of a pandemic,” laughs Jim, now that the worst of pandemic closures seems to be behind him. “I mean, what was I going to do? I was already in. I was here full time when the pandemic struck, and I was dead in the water.”

THE WATER HAS receded in the past few months and the Lititz Shirt Factory has hosted the likes of magician and mind reader Brian Curry, Nashville’s New Suede and an album release party for local singer

The Inca Campers performed at LSF during the launch party for Lititz’s 2022 Fire & Ice Festival. Lititz-based Stray Production Services provides the sound and lighting for LSF events.

and Broadway actor Max Bartos. The venue also helped Venture Lititz kick off the Lititz Fire & Ice Festival in February. This month, master magician, Chris Capehart, is slated to appear on April 9.

Beyond music, the Lititz Shirt Factory is home to rotating resident artists who use the third floor as a working space and a gallery. The upper floors are also used to host weddings, class reunions, yoga classes, business meetings and other events.

Looking ahead … more music. Jim likes all genres of music and books acts personally. “The only thing that I am looking for is that it be memorable, that the people who come to the Lititz Shirt

Factory are wowed,” he says.

Jim’s love of Lititz (and beer and coffee) are wildly evident. He is as much a natural at promoting the venue in the town he loves as he was reporting on the hard news in front of a camera. In fact, he’s come full circle in a modern sort of way, as he is partnering with Kim Schaller, whose marketing career includes 30-plus years with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, to present podcasts via a show they call Shirt Factory Center Stage.

For more information, visit lititzshirtfactory.com.

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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A Fresh Opportunity!

The Priority List for Homestead Village’s new line of stylish, luxury apartments is now open, and we have the perfect spot for you.

Call 717-923-5532 to learn more or request a brochure.

1800 Marietta Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603

New Luxury Apartments www.HomesteadVillage.org/retirement-living

info@hvillage.org 717-923-5532

Friday, May 6 7:30 PM Saturday, May 7 3:00 8:00 PM Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring will wrap audiences in optimism through depictions of simple family life. Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, conjures sweet childhood memories framed by loss. Broad in its emotional scope yet wellgrounded, Brahms Symphony No. 2 closes the program with assurance and achie ement.

ALL PERFORMANCES AT FIRST PRES TERIAN CHURCH

For tickets and more information, visit: www.lancastersymphony.org or call (717) 291-6440

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

Chelsea Gallo Music Director Finalist

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Spring Fever COMPILED BY KAYLEE REX

Spring is a reawakening. The season adds life to a world that was cold and gray. It invites you to get organized, get outdoors and get moving. Spring welcomes you to feel the warm rays of sun on your face again and enjoy a picnic, spend a day at the park or out in the yard with the kids.

It

is the season for spring cleaning and starting a clean slate. It’s the perfect time to shake things up and redecorate a tired-looking room or an outdoor patio.

Whether it’s shopping for an updated look, new kitchen lighting or patio furniture, Lancaster County is blooming with retailers, landscape artists and other friendly businesses waiting to help you “spring” forward this season.

NOAH F. BOYLE CABINETS, located in Elizabethtown, has been manufacturing and installing their custom cabinets since 1993.

Noah F. Boyle has the ability to create quality kitchen and bathroom cabinets that complement any budget and style. From design to installation, Noah F. Boyle provides excellent customer service and attention to detail through every step of the project. “The cabinets are a work of art,” says one satisfied customer. Call 717-944-1007 to find out how Noah F. Boyle Cabinets can help create your dream kitchen or bathroom.

SHOWCASE LAWN WORKS, based in New Holland, does things a little differently than the other lawn-care companies out there. For the past 20 years, Showcase Lawn Works has combined modern approaches to traditional services, revolutionizing the lawn-care industry in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Each yard is unique, requiring different methods to achieve optimal results.

Showcase Lawn Works believes communication with customers

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FA M I LY F R I E N D LY GRUB L AW N C A R E FREE CONTROL • • • •

Locally Owned Tree & Shrub Maintenance Perimeter Pest Control Landscaping Services

with purchase of Showcase standard lawn care program

Whether you are in need of a quick touch-up, glamorous blowout or blissful body treatment, a visit to GLAMOUR ROOM will make you feel brand new. Glamour Room is an Aveda salon featuring vegan and cruelty-free products. Located on North Duke Street in Downtown Lancaster, it is the premier salon for bridal and special occasion hairstyling, skincare, esthetic services and makeup. Update your look with the latest beauty trends, including balayage hair coloring, HaloCouture extensions or a lash lift.

Owner Bobbi Nicole Bentzel has been making people feel their best since 2004. “After going to school, taking extensive classes and working in Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia, I wanted to bring what I learned from the big cities back home,” Bobbi Nicole says. Visit lancasterglam.com to book your appointment or purchase a gift certificate to pamper a loved one.

717-354-3226 SHOWCASELAWNWORKS.COM B A L AYA G E COLOR CORRECTION HAIR COLOR HAIR EXTENSIONS HALO EXTENSIONS MAKE UP LASH LIFTS FA C I A L S (13 different kinds) WA X I N G We Use Natural & Organic Products

420 N Duke St., Lancaster 717-299-4349 • Lancasterglam.com

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

every step of the way is crucial in creating family- and pet-friendly lawn-care solutions. They take pride in being on the cutting edge of the industry by using the best products, machines and techniques.

Their services include lawn, tree and shrub care, perimeter pest control, landscaping, aeration/overseeding, lime application and grub, mosquito, flea and tick control. Call 717-354-3226 or visit their website, showcaselawnworks.com, to request a free estimate and turn your yard into a “showcase.”

JURA is the innovation leader in automatic coffee machines, offering a true bean-to-cup experience that is freshly ground, not capsuled. JURA machines produce the finest high-pressure-brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino and more, cup by cup. Thanks to the introduction of the Cold Extraction Process, the JURA Z10 is the first to prepare both hot and cold brew specialty coffees. Additional JURA innovations include Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.®), which optimizes extraction time to develop the full flavor of espresso and ristretto – plus the Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.®) and integrated cleaning and maintenance systems. JURA’s app, J.O.E.® (JURA Operating Experience), allows users to easily operate selected machines from their smartphones or tablets.

Visit SPOOKY NOOK FARM for a perfect spring day in Lancaster County. Hang out with their many llamas and alpacas, as well as their Valais Blacknose sheep, and learn all about the beautiful creatures and how they are cared for. The farm breeds, shows and sells the animals, so they will be sure to answer any questions you may have. The farm offers tours of the property and llama walks. To visit Spooky Nook Farm, you will need to schedule an appointment, which they can personalize to your needs. They welcome schools and small groups, as well as birthday parties and special events on the farm. Be sure to visit their farm boutique, Pamela’s She Shed, for alpaca clothing, candles, fiber and yarn and much more! Call 717-4593414 to schedule your visit and discuss how Spooky Nook Farm can make your experience unforgettable.

Concerned about your loved ones tripping on your uneven sidewalk, patio or pool deck? KEYSTONE GUN-KRETE specializes in concrete solutions for commercial, residential and agricultural needs. Owner Richie Zook says, “Lifting sunken concrete using our Poly Foam equipment is generally a fraction of the cost of replacement. When homeowners see the cost savings from lifting sunken concrete instead of tearing it out and starting over, they are delighted. Plus, there is no mess.” Keystone Gun-Krete simply drills small holes through the slab and injects their expanding foam below to raise the concrete back to its original location. The holes are then filled with mortar so the concrete is ready for foot traffic immediately. He adds that homeowners “will generally lift sidewalks to make them look great again; however, at Keystone Gun-Krete,

Z10 for hot & cold The new

coffee specialties

Freshly ground, not capsuled.

A world first, the groundbreaking Z10 prepares both hot and cold brew specialty coffees – freshly ground, not capsuled. At the touch of a button, it brews the full spectrum of hot drinks, from intense espresso to on-trend flat white. It also opens up a whole new dimension in coffee enjoyment with the introduction of cold brew specialties, thanks to the Product Recognizing Grinder (P.R.G.) that recognizes the chosen specialty and adjusts the grind accordingly. Experience a completely new way to enjoy coffee.

The JURA Hospitality Center is right here in Lancaster County. Family-owned and operated, it is one of the few places on the East Coast where you can experience the latest JURA machines first hand. You are welcome to stop in and enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee.

JURA Hospitality Center • 134 Shellyland Road, Building 6a, Manheim 717.492.4433

shopjura.com LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

we are passionate about safety, and once our work is complete and we’ve eliminated the trip hazards, our customers and their guests will be much safer.”

• FARM STORE • PRIVATE EVENTS • FARM TOURS • LLAMA WALKS

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Celebrate the spring season at three of Lancaster City’s most revered restaurants!

THE BELVEDERE INN simply has it all – great food, creative cocktails, stunning décor, a knowledgeable staff, outdoor dining, musical entertainment and a touch of history. Open since 1998, The Belvedere Inn has focused on locally grown and raised ingredients since day one with entrées such as grilled lamb rack, crab cakes, seared sea scallops, veal Oscar and more.

C’EST LA VIE and JOSEPHINE’S DOWNTOWN are located in the heart of Lancaster City across the alley from Central Market.

Inspired by European bistros, C’est La Vie offers a casually elegant atmosphere and menu that includes hors d’oeuvres, sandwiches, brick-oven pizzas and entrées. Downstairs, Josephine’s offers a refined dining experience reminiscent of a swanky supper club. The menu features elegant French-inspired cuisine, including entrées such as lamb tenderloin, crab cakes, duck breast, braised short ribs and more.

KREIDER’S CANVAS SERVICE, INC. has been installing awnings in Lancaster County for more than 40 years. Leslie Kreider shares that Kreider’s Canvas offers an option that makes outdoor decks and patios more useful, more comfortable and a lot cooler.

“Our experience with observing the life of a canvas roof is that dark-colored fabrics last three to five years (or more) longer than light-colored fabrics. The main downside to a dark-fabric roof is that it’s warmer under them, especially when the top area is closed to seal out rain. We have developed a ‘Roof Vent System’ that can be used on the flat back wall of a deck or patio canopy. This increased venting

LIFT & LEVEL YOUR EXISTING CONCRETE

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DON’T REPLACE. LIFT & SAVE! We Lift Commercial & Residential: • Sidewalks • Pool Decks • Patios • Porches • Garage Floors

717-768-3641 KeystoneGun-Krete.com 26

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

Three distinctive Lancaster city dining experiences An exceptional

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Enjoy The Outdoors ... Rain or Shine!

Call Today To Reserve Your Place on the Summer Install List!

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AWNINGS & CANOPIES HANDCRAFTED WITH PRIDE IN LANCASTER COUNTY 73 W. Main Street, Leola, PA 17540 • KreidersCanvas.com • 717.656.7387

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

area provides more natural air flow and minimizes trapped hot air,” Leslie says.

What’s trending? “Side curtains around porches, pavilions and outdoor kitchens are increasing in demand. The main trend has been the increased use of curtains to block wind when needed, while still having the ability to open up to full view of the outside.”

In 1954, the late George Grove Sr. started what later became GEORGE J. GROVE & SON, INC. The business moved from George Sr.’s home to a shop on Cabbage Hill, incorporating in 1973. Five years later, it moved to its present location on the Manheim Pike. George J. Grove Jr. had joined the business at a very young age, assisting with installations; in keeping with family tradition, George Grove III also became involved in the business.

The Groves have built their business on a firm belief in a quality product and installation and in maintaining professionalism, integrity and fairness in their relationships with their customers. George J. Grove & Son, Inc. provides all types of home improvements. Their product lines include windows and doors, roofing, vinyl siding, spouting, gutter protection systems and patio enclosures. They also carry skylights, shutters, railings and retractable fabric and metal awnings.

PLAYFUL PUPS RETREAT is a premier pet resort committed to providing a clean, healthy, fun and nurturing environment for your dog at their two Elizabethtown-area locations. Playful Pups Retreat offers dog boarding at their Milton Grove Road location and dog daycare and training at their Hershey Road location.

When you’re away from home, have peace of mind knowing that your furry family member will receive attention, love and high-quality care, as well as enjoy tons of fun at Playful Pups Retreat. Their team members are dog lovers who are chosen for their knowledge of

FOOD TRUCKS & LIVE MUSIC

CINCO DE MAYO

THURSDAY, MAY 5 • 5-7 P.M. Walk-O Taco Lanc.

Dough Head Stuffed Waffles Wes’s Italian Ice Stroopies What’s for Supper

Live Music by Sound of Roses Donation Boards Proceeds benefit Anchor Lancaster

First United Methodist Church, 29 East Walnut Street, Lancaster

Our Mission: To be a good neighbor by providing a hot breakfast and warm showers every weekday while aiding with other essential needs.

Our Vision: To love, serving God and our neighbors in practical, concrete ways, remembering the words of Jesus, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).

VOTED #1 NONPROFIT

ANCHORLANCASTER.ORG

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Add a Loft, Workbench or Handy Pegboard to Your Shed!

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717-626-9560 | CUSTOMIZE & ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.FOXSHEDS.COM

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

dog behavior, dependability and exceptional attitudes. The Playful Pups team gets to know each dog and provides individualized care, enriching activities, socialization and of course, a lot of belly rubs and snuggles. For more information, visit playfulpupsretreat.com.

ANCHOR LANCASTER, located within First United Methodist Church in Lancaster City, aims to be a good neighbor by providing a hot breakfast and warm showers to their guests every weekday.

Voted the #1 nonprofit in Lancaster County, Anchor Lancaster served 29,920 meals and provided 3,271 showers last year. Every weekday, everyone and anyone is welcome to enjoy a free breakfast served from 8:30-9:45 a.m., featuring a nutritious menu including hot, protein-filled food items, juice, milk, cereal, toast, fruit and coffee. Before and after breakfast, unsheltered guests are also able to take free showers. Thanks to a grant from CommunityAid, Anchor Lancaster was able to add a Warming Center during the winter months for unsheltered neighbors to read, color, puzzle, rest, charge their phones, use the restroom and connect with other guests. All visitors are received with dignity, respect and compassion and are regarded as individuals of sacred worth, reflecting the image of God. For more information, visit anchorlancaster.org.

T H E A R E A’ S L A R G E S T S E L E C T I O N O F

outdoor furniture

Since 1972, GARMAN BUILDERS has earned its reputation through building homes with exceptional workmanship, attention to detail and customer service. Whether you want to build a new home or renovate or restore the home where your fondest memories were made, Garman Builders will work closely with you to build a home with the personal choices and style you want and within a budget that is right for you. Garman Builders also offers an award-winning design studio to help homebuyers see, touch and experiment with the myriad of fixtures, finishes and other elements that make a house a distinctly personal home.

From consultation to project completion, Garman Builders considers every detail, using only high-quality materials to create homes and additions that are made to last for generations. When you work with Garman Builders, you’ll know you’re getting a home that’s solidly built and carefully constructed for the way you live.

The addition of a backyard shed from FOX COUNTRY SHEDS, available in a variety of sizes and styles (and budgets), is the perfect solution to your storage needs. Organizing your cluttered garage to make room for your car that has been left in the driveway all winter? Consider a beautiful backyard shed for that lawn equipment.

Or, perhaps convert your new shed into a much-needed home office as you continue to WFH, just steps away from the bustle of the household. The Rancher Shed’s extra-tall height is the perfect solution for overhead and out-of-the-way storage, or the swimming pool equipment for the staycation your family has been planning.

Whatever your current storage needs are, adding an attractive “Fox Shed” will not only add valuable storage space to your home but will enhance the exterior of your property, as well.

BOWMAN’S STOVE & PATIO, located in Ephrata, has noticed a major increase in demand for outdoor furniture since people are spending a lot more time at home. They have a large selection of in-stock furniture to choose from, for those that want their furniture right away. You can still custom order exactly what you want, but you’ll probably have to wait longer than normal for your furniture to arrive. Bowman’s Stove & Patio recommends shopping as early as possible, so that you have furniture in time for the spring/summer season.

Popular this year are gas fire-pit chat tables paired with curved cushion sofas and cushion swivel rockers. Large dining tables are also popular, such as rectangular extension tables that seat eight to 10 people or octagon- and hexagon-shaped tables that seat six or eight.

S I N C E 197 7

10 6 0 D i v i s i o n H i g hw ay (R o u te 32 2) | Ep h r a t a , PA 717-733 - 4973 | w w w. b ow m a n s s tove . co m

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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Foodographer Fabulous Fungi

Mushrooms

Nature's Super Power For the last decade, scientists, chemists, researchers, environmentalists, universities, physicians, manufacturers, bio-tech companies and food producers have been studying and creating new ways to make the world a better place. How? They are utilizing mushrooms in ways that extend way beyond pizza!

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS

BY JORDAN BUSH

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One

of the more unique places my camera has taken me is to mushroom houses. You’ve probably “caught wind” of these concrete block structures around Kennett Square, Avondale or north of Reading. In fact, the area around Kennett Square leads the nation in mushroom production. FYI: Kennett Square’s 37th annual Mushroom Festival is scheduled for September 10-11. If you’re ever in the Kennett Square area, be sure to visit The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms, which features an all-things mushroom store and a museum.

Needless to say, mushrooms are readily found on the menus of area restaurants.

A FASCINATING HISTORY, Kennett Square’s mushroom industry traces its origins to the Quakers. Seeking to utilize the space beneath the carnations they grew, the Quakers turned to mushrooms. Sharing

knowledge with one another started out of necessity and soon created communities of mushroom growers. Culturally, Italian and Mexican workers have contributed to the long success of mushroom farming in that area of Chester County. Today, families of growers are connected and even related to one another.

Mycelium A term you’ll hear often in the mushroom kingdom is mycelium. Growing underground, the secret to mushrooms lies beneath the surface. Starting life as a single spore, mycelium spreads in decaying wood or underground through soil or compost, forming a hidden network of fungi that sprouts mushrooms above.

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon are

Clockwise from opposite left: Mushroom houses, also known as “doubles,” offer climate-controlled environments with compost beds on tiered growing racks.

Mycelium, the fungal network growing through compost, is what produces mushrooms above the surface. Keeping compost at an even depth helps maintain consistent size and growth.

home to the largest organism in the world.

Colloquially known as the “Humungous Fungus,” this single mycelium network has spread to cover over three-square miles.

The variety is defined as the Armillaria fungus, or the Honey Mushroom, and, based on its slow growth rate, is estimated to be thousands of years old.

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION of mushrooms typically happens in grow rooms and mushroom houses – also known as “doubles” – where compost offers ideal conditions for mycelium to grow and spread throughout the loosely packed medium.

Often made of hay, nitrogen and corn cobs, you might be surprised – as I was – to learn local compost might even include cocoa shells from Hershey Co., which maintains a goal of zero-waste-to-landfill (ZWL). To prevent other organisms from taking over in

a mushroom house, compost is pasteurized in mushroom beds before being inoculated with mushroom spawn, then cased with peat moss, limestone and water.

Kept dark, humid and at temperatures around 60-65 degrees F, mushroom beds can first be harvested within a few weeks to months later depending on the variety.

Illuminated by headlamps attached to their hard hats, workers hand-pick mushrooms early in the morning, after which they are immediately cleaned and packed.

When mushroom beds are exhausted, spent compost is removed. Still rich in nutrients, the mushroom compost is resold as mulch.

Mushroom Apps The mulch represents just the tip of the iceberg in how mushrooms are being

Portobello mushrooms are the most mature and largest of the same variety as younger (below) White Button and Baby Bella mushrooms.

White Button mushrooms, shown here in a growing rack, account for 90% of commercially grown mushrooms in the United States, according to The Mushroom Council.

studied and used to better the world. For example, the London-based company, Biohm, has created a mushroom-based building insulation – Mycelium Insulation – that, according to the company’s website (biome.co.uk) outperforms the thermal qualities of standard insulation. The company’s other mushroom/agriculturalwaste-based product, Organic Refuse Biocompound, is 100% biodegradable, vegan and renewable and can be used in a variety of applications for building purposes.

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Still other companies such as furniture and home décor giant IKEA are experimenting with mycelium to create eco-friendly replacements for plastic, Styrofoam and other packaging. While such products resemble Styrofoam and recycled pulp cardboard, they are biodegradable.

Products to fight pollution – including oil-absorbent booms used to clean up oil spills – are being developed using myceliumbased technology.

TWO YEARS AGO, The New York Times asked whether mushrooms are the future of wellness. Indeed, the health benefits of mushrooms have been long touted by Eastern medicine since they are low in calories and are packed with vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants.

Mushroom extract and powder, made into capsules or mixed with hot water to create a mushroom broth or “tea,” are popular forms to increase mushroom intake.

Mushrooms – notably the Cremini – are an excellent source of the new-favorite nutrient, zinc, plus they stimulate the production of macrophages, which boost the immune system. They are also sources of potassium, copper and magnesium.

Mushrooms also help to absorb and eliminate waste in our systems.

As Peter McCoy, the author of Radical Mycology: A Treatise on Seeing and Working With Fungi, aptly put it: “Fungi are nature’s greatest chemists.”

Varieties and Cooking Mushrooms In Asia, mushrooms are considered a “fifth taste” or “umami,” as they impart a savory, woodsy flavor to food. There are thousands of varieties of mushrooms in the world, but domestically, the most commercially produced mushrooms center around three variants: White Button, Baby Bella (Cremini) and Portobello. What might come as a surprise is all three are the same variety of mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) but are harvested at different stages. Each has a different use in the kitchen.

Top to bottom: From root 11 bistro in Bloomsburg: Grilled Shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions and kale on Italian bread comprise a meaty yet vegan-friendly sandwich.

A Lion’s Mane mushroom grows high up in a decaying tree. Desirable for cooking, Lion’s Mane mushrooms are safe and easily recognizable, plus no known poisonous look-alike varieties exist.

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BEING THE MOST MATURE, the Portobello has the least moisture content, is the most expensive of the three and is often used as a protein substitute. Baby Bellas and

Jordan Bush is a commercial photographer. His work has allowed him to discover and document cultures and food across five continents. A graduate of Garden Spot High School and Millersville University, Jordan and his fiancée, Jessica, reside and cook together in Ephrata.

DIY homegrown mushroom kit assembly. Holes are drilled into wooden logs (left) into which wooden plugs inoculated with mushroom spores are hammered (top right). Openings in the log are sealed with melted wax to protect the mycelial network from infestation (bottom right).

White Buttons are higher in water content, so when frying, water is released as steam as soon as they start to cook.

A hot pan with a pinch of salt aids in the release of water, helping the moisture to evaporate. Reducing the temperature and frying mushrooms for 15-20 minutes after removing moisture will caramelize them to a golden brown. Rich in color and flavor, they are perfect for soup.

Mushrooms can be roasted in an oven or on a grill with oil and salt. For a party appetizer, larger mushrooms can be battered and fried like poppers or a blooming onion using Maitake. Caps can be stuffed with cheese, butter, oil, seasoning, sausage or bacon.

Dry varieties of mushrooms can be used as a direct meat or even bread replacement. Shiitake mushrooms are an excellent meat alternative. MyForest Foods Co. (myforestfoods.com) has developed MyBacon® Strips, a bacon alternative using mycelium. The company promises that “from the sound of the sizzle to the snap of that first bite – we satisfy every aspect of the bacon-eating experience.”

Blending chopped mushrooms with ground beef in burgers adds flavor and texture while being a useful recipe tip for portion control and to stretch ingredients.

When basted in butter with thyme and onions, thicker mushrooms can be prepared like a steak.

Shaved black truffles and truffle butter or oil pair nicely with pasta or potatoes, gnocchi, eggs and cheese. The bitter, earthy flavor is acquired and coveted for its satisfying umami characteristics, for which I’m still developing an appreciation.

If you’re not going to use store-bought mushrooms immediately, keep them in an open paper bag in the refrigerator. If left in airtight packaging, they will not be able to breathe, will bruise quickly and develop a wet, slimy film.

Foraging When it comes to foraging for mushrooms, knowing what varieties are safe to pursue is critical. Wild mushrooms can be toxic, even fatal, but there are safe, choice-edible varieties to be found.

According to the PA Department of Agriculture, “There are over 200,000 wild mushroom species in this region of the country, of which about 200 are edible

and only 25 worth eating and normally sold.” Some poisonous look-alike varieties also exist, so it might be best to forage with someone who definitively knows what to look for. Look for varieties of wild mushrooms that you can determine with certainty are safe.

Lion’s Mane, Oyster, Chicken of the Woods, Hen of the Woods and Morels are some choice varieties to look for in our region. Lion’s Mane, which has no known poisonous look-alikes, is a good place to start. Compared to commercially grown mushrooms, Morels are practically unobtanium, being difficult to cultivate and highly prized by foragers and restaurateurs.

Grow Your Own A safe, controlled way to harvest mushrooms in your backyard (or closer) is to purchase a grow kit. Mushrooms can be grown via inoculated wood plugs inserted into a decaying log outside, or by using wood shavings stores in a bag or bucket and kept outside. North Spore Mushrooms in Maine (northspore.com) sells a variety of mushroom grow kits online. Early spring is an ideal time to start, but summer and fall are also suitable.

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Table for Two Agapē Café & Grille

Burgers are made with 100% USDA choice Angus.

Avocado Toast: Mashed avocado, cherry tomatoes, bacon, feta and basil on sourdough toast with balsamic vinegar.

The Charcuterie Board is a perfect choice for those who want to share a menu item.

Seating is available at high-tops, tables and booths.

In addition, Agapē Café & Grille offers a space for private events and a covered patio for outdoor dining.

Dining & Shopping Under One Roof Agapē Café & Grille’s warm and inviting vibe is instantly felt upon entering. Staff members offer friendly smiles and warmly welcome guests to the Strasburg-area restaurant that opened its doors in October 2020. In addition to the café, the complex includes the Beautiful Home Interiors store.

BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

“W

hen people walk in the front door, we want them to feel welcome,” says Ruthie Stoltzfus, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, JR. Having grown up on a Strasburg-area farm, she is happy to have a restaurant in Lancaster County. “We love Central Pennsylvania, and I always talked

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Clockwise: The menu also features an array of coffee, tea and other beverages, as well as Agapē’s signature macarons.

Operating a restaurant in her hometown of Strasburg has always been a dream of Ruthie Stoltzfus, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, JR. Like its sister restaurant in Germantown, Maryland, Agapē adjoins a home décor store, Beautiful Home Interiors.

have patio heaters for the cooler shoulder months,” Ruthie notes.

about having a restaurant here,” she explains. “We’re excited to be here in our hometown.”

This is the Stoltzfuses’ second restaurant, as they’ve owned and operated Dutch Family Restaurant in Germantown, Maryland, for over 15 years. Ruthie started working there when she was 16; she and JR bought the restaurant in 2005. They also own Beautiful Home Furniture and Design, which is located adjacent to the Germantown restaurant. Ruthie explains that the home-design and furniture store grew out of the spring and fall showcase design events they once held at their home.

The couple also incorporated a similar retail store – Beautiful Home Interiors – adjacent to Agapē Café. In addition to furnishings and home décor, the store also features specialty items made by local artisans, as well as seasonal items for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other holidays. The two spaces are open to one another, allowing guests waiting to dine at the café to browse the store.

When the couple knew they would finally be opening a restaurant in Strasburg, Ruthie says coming up with a name wasn’t easy. “I prayed on it and came up with the name ‘agapē’ which is the highest form of love – it’s unconditional love,” she explains.

AGAPĒ SEATS ABOUT 120 inside, with seating consisting of a combination of high-tops, tables and booths. There’s also a private event space at the rear of the restaurant that seats up to 20 people.

Outdoors, the tables on the covered porch can accommodate about 25 guests. “People really enjoy the outdoor dining area; we

A DISPLAY CASE INSIDE the front door sets the tone, as it features an array of tempting house-made pastries and desserts.

Menu items are crafted using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Breakfast is served until noon and features such popular items as avocado toast and the western omelette, as well as platters such as creamed beef; sandwiches and wraps; waffles, including the popular Red, White & Blue waffle; pancakes and French toast.

Lunch and dinner items include homemade soup; appetizers such as fried pickles and sweet potato fries; hot and cold sandwiches and wraps and fresh salads. Burgers are made from 100% USDA choice Angus, which is freshly ground in-house.

Barbecue/smoked items include a smoked-meat sandwich (pork, brisket or pastrami) and a smokey brisket burger (burger, smoked brisket, smoked Gouda cheese, BBQ sauce and spring mix on a toasted brioche bun). Smoked burnt ends are on the appetizer menu, and there’s even a smoked brisket salad. Smokedmeat platters that include ribs are also available. Smoked meats are made with Agapē’s recipes and are smoked on the premises.

Seafood platters entail crab cakes, fish or shrimp.

Boards such as the snack board, smokehouse board and charcuterie board are available for sharing.

Menu items are also available to go.

Agapē Café also offers a variety of coffees, hot teas, frappes and affogatos (a scoop of ice cream and espresso.) There’s also a variety of refreshing herb-infused fruit spritzers.

Agapē Café & Grille is located at 366 Hartman Bridge Road (Route 896) in Ronks. Hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Note: Reservations are not available, although call-ahead seating is offered. Online orders may be placed via the website. For more information, call 717-687-7590 or visit agapecafeandgrille.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

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In the Neighborhood HONG KONG GARDEN CHINESE RESTAURANT

JOHN A. ZERN & SONS BEVERAGE

Our chefs have been serving Lancaster Countians their favorite entrées for 42 years. To add variety, they are always creating new and exciting specials. Vegetable entrées and children’s menu available.

We offer lavish lunch and dinner menus, made with quality, fresh ingredients, for dine-in or take-out.

John A. Zern & Sons Beverage specializes in beer and beverage sales and service and has been serving the Lancaster region since 1948. They provide beverage setups for weddings, banquets and other events and work with a number of venues across Lancaster County and surrounding areas.

1807 Columbia Avenue, Wheatland Shopping Center, Lancaster. 717-394-4336.

202 South Charlotte Street, Manheim. 717-665-2233.

Zernsbeverage.com.

CASEY JONES’ RESTAURANT

DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE

All aboard! Join us in our two original P-70 80-ton dining cars that once rode the rails of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Featuring 175 seats, this unique property offers indoor dining, outdoor deck seating with train and farmland views, and take-out. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, Casey Jones’ Restaurant is a one-ofa-kind experience for all ages!

312 Paradise Lane, Ronks 717-687-5000 CaseyJonesRestaurantPA.com

MOUNTAIN REALTY ERA POWERED Catesby Gilbert of Mountain Realty ERA Powered offers SUPERIOR real estate services to his clients whether they are relocating to or moving within the Lancaster County area or outlying areas. The goal of ALL Mountain Realty ERA Powered agents is to be an ADVOCATE for you through the entire process of Buying, Selling and/or Investing.

Catesby Gilbert • 717-572-1672 (cell)

catesby.gilbert@eramountainrealty.com License #RS355709

2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 602, Lancaster. 717-390-8701. www.eramountainrealty.com.

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Come to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater for dinner and a show! Head chef, Alex Rosario, creates a specialized buffet experience for each show. Upcoming productions include Rock of Ages, The Little Mermaid, Chicago and more!

Learn more about show and menu options at www.DutchApple.com.

510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster 717-898-1900

CERTIFIED CARPET A local family-owned flooring company in business for over 70 years, Certified Carpet has earned the trust of their clients. “When It’s Certified, You’re Satisfied!”

• New flooring sales and installation • In-home carpet and furniture cleaning • Oriental and area rug cleaning • Entrance mat sales and service www.certifiedcarpet.com

ATTITUDES HAIR & NAIL SALON For over 20 years, our mission is helping you LOVE your hair and nails! We specialize in trendy and traditional hair design, refreshing color, brightening highlights and perms for added style. Rejuvenate your hands and feet with relaxing manicures and pedicures. Thank you for trusting us to help you look and feel your best and voting us ‘Among the Best’ salons in 2021.

798A New Holland Avenue, Lancaster. 717-295-0836.

In the Neighborhood HALDEMAN MECHANICAL INC. Founded in 1939, Haldeman Mechanical Inc. has been providing plumbing, heating, cooling and water conditioning services to residential and light commercial customers for three generations. We are a certified Rheem ProPartner offering sales and 24-hour service as well as service agreements to keep your equipment running at peak efficiency. Free estimates are available by calling 717-665-6910 or visiting our website at haldemanmechanical.com.

(PA#007777)

LUSK & ASSOCIATES

Sotheby’s International Realty Anne M. Lusk has over 25 years of real estate experience. Anne’s mission is to provide world-class service to each and every one of her clients. Supporting local charities allows her the chance to be a difference-maker in the lives of others. By collaborating with some of the finest agents in the area, Lusk & Associates was formed with the goal of bringing a shared vision for world-class service to a broader base of homeowners and buyers.

100 Foxshire Drive, Lancaster 717-291-9101 • AnneLusk.com

MEN OF IRON: TONY DUNGY Men of Iron is proud to present the Iron Sharpens Iron Dinner, featuring keynote speaker Tony Dungy, who is a best-selling author and led the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl victory in 2007. The dinner will take place on April 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Marriott.

Purchase tickets at menofiron.org/dungy.

GALEBACH’S FLOOR FINISHING, INC. Galebach’s Floor Finishing, founded in 1924, is the oldest floor finishing company in Lancaster County. We specialize in residential wood floor refinishing and have extensive experience with historic restorations. Our dust containment system keeps your home as clean as possible while our workers are on-site sanding and finishing. (#PA019030) 202 Main Street, Landisville 717-898-9680 Galebachsfloorfinishing.com

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022

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Why We ♥Lancaster

Nancy and her dog, Jasper.

Spring!

Bluebirds remind us that happiness comes in small packages.

Nancy Myer Witmer, who is a regular contributor to the Lancaster County Photography Facebook page, agrees with that sentiment, as she loves to “capture” the Eastern Bluebirds that visit her East Hempfield Township property.

Bluebird Questions for Nancy: Q. How long have the Bluebirds been visiting your property?

A. I’ve had Eastern Bluebirds raise nests of babies on my property twice in the last eight years. Actually, they come and check out the nest every spring, but the very aggressive House Sparrows usually chase them away.

I’ve been at war with the House Sparrows forever and haven’t been very successful at keeping them away from the Bluebirds.

Q. Are the Bluebirds year-round visitors?

A. This was the first winter that I’ve seen Bluebirds in my yard. It’s also the first year I’ve put out mealworms – the Bluebirds love mealworms. For our 2021 family Christmas gift exchange, I asked for mealworms as my gift. I know it doesn’t sound very glamorous, but the mealworms brought the Bluebirds and the Bluebirds bring me joy every time I see them.

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Q. How large is the flock?

A. I’ve seen 10 to 15 Bluebirds at one time

in the yard or in my tree. They don’t get along very well at the feeding dish so they usually eat individually or in small groups. They are interesting to watch. They patiently wait on each other until the feeder is vacant and then the next one flies to the dish and eats.

Q. Do other birds visit your property?

A. When I have bird seed or suet cakes out, I have lots of other birds visit. Cardinals show up but they don’t like my camera; I have a difficult time getting photos of them. I also have Woodpeckers, Finches of all varieties, Carolina Wrens, Dark-eyed Juncos and the ever-pesky House Sparrows. In February, Robins showed up; they discovered my mealworms and have been chowing down on them along with the Bluebirds.

Q. What’s your strategy for photographing the Bluebirds? How close do you get? Are they accustomed to seeing you?

A. The Bluebird house is about 25 feet from my home office window. When they

are nesting in the summer, I keep an eye on them and take photos while I’m doing bookkeeping for our small family business.

Their feeding dish is on my deck railing and I can watch them and take photos from my living room. The Bluebirds aren’t tame but they don’t seem to be afraid of me.

I’ve changed out their feeding dishes to add some variety to my photos. They cooperate and eat from any dish or cup that I set out as long as it’s filled with mealworms.

What type of camera/lens do you use?

A. My camera is a Canon SX60 with an incredible zoom lens.

Compassion is Contagious One morning, 51-year-old Kenneth Leslie woke up in his car in the parking lot of a Walmart and realized he needed to take steps to transform his life.

After ending a toxic relationship that forced Kenneth to leave a comfortable two-bedroom apartment he had shared with his partner, combined with an inconsistent income as a full-time DoorDash driver, he found himself homeless. Kenneth knew he had a choice, “You either go further down or you strive to get up, so that’s what I decided to do.” Kenneth took his first transformational steps by becoming a resident of Good Samaritan’s men’s shelter program.

Good Sam provides a full spectrum of services to men, women and children who are experiencing or who are at risk of homelessness in Lancaster and Chester Counties. We believe in meeting those we serve wherever they may be

in their journey towards stability with compassion to help restore hope and transform their lives.

After working on a personalized success plan with a Good Sam counselor, Kenneth has made strides towards stability and has now moved into transitional housing.

“This whole experience has completely changed the way I think about people,” says Kenneth. “I have been supported basically for the last two months by people I don’t even know out of the kindness of their heart.”

Kenneth now feels called to share the same compassion with others.

He recently took a job as a shift manager at Ann’s Heart, a code blue, emergency overnight warming shelter in Phoenixville.

“Just being kind to someone and showing compassion and caring and love for another human being… right now is the most rewarding time in my life I think I’ve had in a long time,” Kenneth says. “I feel like I have a purpose again. I’m getting up this morning to make a difference in my life and someone else’s.”

Save the Date Thursday, May 5, 2022 a gala benefiting Good Samaritan Services

At Excelsior Tickets & Sponsorships available at goodsamservices.org/events

WWW.G O O D S A MS E RVIC ES.O RG

@GoodSamServ

- John A. Weierbach II, D.M.D.

- Loren N. Genetti, D.M.D., M.S.

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