Lancaster County Magazine | Fall Issue | September-October 2026

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

Yes, C󴁨e󳁦!

On the job with Chef Max Fanton and his staff at KōLE Chophouse and Cavolo! Pizzeria Bar

SENIOR LIVING

How seniors are staying engaged and involved in their own communities and beyond

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AT HOME

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Variety is Everything at Southern Market.

You can have it all here. From live bands and entertainment, to weekly trivia and karaoke, Southern Market has everything you want for a fun night out with friends or family. Enjoy a variety of food options from 13 chef stations, plus Bar 1888, featuring specialty cocktails, wine, and a rotating beer selection.

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southernmarketlancaster.com LAN C ASTE R CO U N T Y MAG A Z IN E | S E P TE MBE R- OCTOB ER 2026

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PUBLISHER Jocelyn Engle EDITOR Suzanne Starling-Long Sue@lancastercountymag.com ART DIRECTOR Ashley Kendrick Kennedy Ashley@lancastercountymag.com SOCIAL MEDIA Shaun Lucas Slucas@engleonline.com REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS

Jill Brown Jeff Falk Cathy Molitoris Rochelle A. Shenk

Michael C. Upton Kathleen Wagner P H OTO G RA P H E R S

Jordan Bush Nick Gould

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Contents SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | VOLUME 40 | NUMBER 3

32.

68.

On the Cover: Jordan Bush photographed

Features

32. Max Fanton …

Fanning the Flames

Chef Max Fanton at KōLE Chophouse in Lititz.

48.

Jordan Bush shadows Chef Max Fanton and his staff at KōLE Chophouse and Cavolo! Pizzeria Bar, both of which make their home in The Wilbur in Lititz.

41. Life … At Home Discover how Paradise Custom Kitchens, the TONO Group and Cocalico Builders have made life at home a pleasure for their clients.

42. LIFE IN BALANCE: Alyssa Hayes of

Paradise Custom Kitchens designs a periodmodern primary bath for her clients’ 19th century home.

48. LIFE ELEVATED: Treetops, a “mountain modern” custom home designed by the TONO Group, takes its inspiration from nature.

Special Sections

54: LIFE OUTDOORS: Cocalico Builders

designs/builds an outdoor living area for clients who love spending their time outdoors.

66. Uptown & Down

Departments

Michael C. Upton takes you to Goose Day festivities in the Juniata River Valley.

10. Event-Full

68. Table for Two

Fairs, festivals, fundraisers and other events fill September’s calendar.

12. Life of a Party The Fulton Theatre’s annual gala introduces patrons to the 2026-27 season.

Rochelle Shenk visits Norbu in Downtown Lancaster.

72. Neighbors Meet Civil War historian Cindy Beaston.

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21. Annual Senior Living Advertorial Discover how residents of area retirement communities are playing active roles in their own communities, as well as in the wider community.

Also learn how many communities are involving the public in events and activities on their campuses.

15. & 60. Fabulous Fall The holidays are right around the corner! The advertisers on these pages are at your service for shopping, home improvement, entertaining and dining needs.

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Event-full

It's September!

THE FA IR EST

MON TH OF ALL Fall is in the air, which means fair season goes into full swing and theatres and music organizations are kicking off their 2026-27 seasons. Community events and festivals are also on the agenda, as are benefits for nonprofit organizations. For a full listing, visit lancastercountymag.com. October’s events will be posted online later in September.

PHOTOS: FACEBOOK PAGES AND LCM FILES

Fairs

THE DENVER FAIR September 15-19 Denver Known for its competitions, food and emphasis on community, the fair is also heralded for its special events (this year’s include a hot wings eating contest for first responders on Tuesday; the Miss Denver Fair Queen contest on Wednesday; and a 5K race on Saturday). Music will be provided by The Uptown Band (Wed.), Jess Zimmerman Band (Fri.) and Vinyl Rush (Sat.). Fireworks will close out the fair on Saturday. Times vary. 801 Main Street, Denver.

Information: Thedenverfair.com

SOUTHERN LANCASTER COUNTY FAIR September 16-18 Solanco Fairgrounds The fair honors the tradition in which it was founded in 1950: fellowship, food and friendly competition. There’s also an expo through which

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businesses, churches and organizations acquaint visitors with the services they offer. The food is amazing! Special events include tractor pulls, an Iron Man competition, and a celebrity milking contest. Plus, there’s a parade. Hours vary. Park Avenue, Quarryville. Information: Solancofair.org

EPHRATA FAIR September 22-26 Ephrata In Ephrata, you get three extravaganzas in one: the festivities kick off with a massive parade, the downtown area is transformed into the largest street fair in Pennsylvania, and Thomas Grater Park becomes a tent city dedicated to all things agriculture. There’s plenty of competitions, a Family Fun Night, exhibits, live music (Jess Zimmerman Band, Bad Sneakers and Easily Amused) and, of course, delicious food. Hours vary. Main Street and Thomas Grater Park. Information: Ephratafair.org

WEST LAMPETER COMMUNITY FAIR September 23-25 West Lampeter Fairgrounds During the fair, which emphasizes friendly competition and educational events, visitors can take in the All Western Horse Show and parades that feature the Fair Queen candidates, babies and tractors. Food is also a star of the fair. Hours vary.

851 Village Rd., Lampeter. Information: Westlampeterfair.com

Community Events/Festivals

LONG’S PARK LABOR DAY ART FESTIVAL September 4-6 Long’s Park Long’s Park transforms into a beautiful outdoor gallery that has continued to garner national recognition since making its debut in 1979. The juried show features 200 exhibitors whose whose work spans 25 unique categories. Proceeds benefit the park’s Summer Music Series. Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster. Information: Longspark.org

HEART OF LANCASTER ARTS & CRAFT SHOW September 5 & 6 Roots Country Market Now in its 38th year, the show features talented artists and craftspeople from Pennsylvania and neighboring states, all offering a unique selection of quality art and crafts.

A variety of food and treats will also be available. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission/parking. 705 Graystone Rd., Manheim. Information: Hlcshow.com

LANCASTER AIRSHOW September 19 & 20 Lancaster Airport The aviation-filled weekend will include daily aerobatic performances, static aircraft displays, aircraft/helicopter/ balloon rides and more. A variety of food trucks will also be onsite. Note: This is a ticketed event.

500 Airport Rd., Lititz. Information: Lancasterairport.com

BIRD-IN-HAND HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL September 25 & 26 Bird-in-Hand The Bird-in-Hand Corporation is partnering with Balloon Shows USA to bring an all-new balloon festival to Lancaster.

Enjoy a weekend of spectacular hot air balloon glows and laser light shows, music, family activities, food trucks, craft vendors and more. At 8:30 each evening, massive tethered hot air balloons will illuminate the night, while state-of-the-art laser displays will paint the sky with brilliant colors. Note: This is a ticketed event. 3-10 p.m. each day. 320 N. Ronks Rd., Bird-inHand. Information: Bird-in-hand.com

of the role the city played in the quest for independence, a festive event will take over Downtown Lancaster that will include food/drink vendors, local artisans, music, dance, historical reenactments, architectural and history tours, family-friendly activities and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Penn Square area. Information: Lancastercapitalday.org

Benefits

HOSPICE LABOR DAY AUCTION September 5 & 7 Quarryville

Now in its 42nd year, this annual event has raised more than $40 million for Hospice & Community Care since 1984. Thanks to generous donors, the auction offers just about anything you could name.

Specialty auctions feature art, vacations, sports memorabilia, quilts, jewelry, plants, tools and more. A Day of Caring enables the public to contribute toward a hospice patient’s day of care. There’s also a raffle for a Chevy Trax. The Amish-made food has also become a big drawing card. 7:30 a.m.-approx. 5 p.m. each day. Solanco Fairgrounds, 101 Park Avenue, Quarryville.

Information: Labordayauction.org

LRS L ANCASTER RETINA SPECIALISTS Thank You, Lancaster! We continue our tradition of providing state of the art care in a friendly and compassionate environment.

LANCASTER CAPITAL DAY September 26 Penn Square On September 27, 1777, Lancaster served as the nation’s capital. In recognition

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L AN C ASTE R CO U N T Y MAG A Z IN E | S E P TE MBE R- O CTOB ER 2026

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Life of a Party The Beat Goes On!

Hairspray cast members (left to right) Eden Franco, Charis Leos, Tarra Conner Jones, Eileen Ray Brady and Lawrence Flowers also performed a matinee on the day of the gala and were back at the Fulton Theatre for a performance that evening.

FULTON THEATRE’S GALA GOES

Revved-up and Retro

Give Lancaster’s theater-loving crowd a theme and get out of the way! When the Fulton Theatre announced its 2026-2027 season of productions to its most ardent supporters – the Producer’s Circle – and community member patrons, the vibe was totally 60s: The Beat Goes On!

BY JILL BROWN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

W

ith flashy, nostalgic Hairspray serving as the Fulton Theatre’s kickoff to its new season, a ’60s-driven party was a natural for generating electrified excitement among its nearly 200 guests.

The Ware Center for the Arts atrium was transformed into a retro dance party that put the teased-up bouffant front and center, thanks to costumed and lacquered Hairspray cast members.

The fun vibe put Fulton Theatre’s patrons in the mood to celebrate, bid generously at live and silent auctions

and twist the night away.

“The energy in the room made it feel like a giant party,” says the Fulton’s executive artistic producer, Marc Robin.

The exuberant musical Hairspray, which premiered two weeks before the gala, “felt like a party itself, and the gala felt like an extension of that celebration.”

Flanked by a 10-foot-tall Ultra Clutch hairspray prop, guests locked in their selfies at a balloon-laced photo opp backdrop of Hairspray-inspired artwork. Guests were seated at place settings of vinyl LPs and centerpieces

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featuring throwback hair curlers, combs, hairsprays and a reminder of a Broadway show from days gone by.

In a culinary collaboration, Lancaster’s TFB Catering, Cracked Pepper and GEM’s Catering teamed up to serve hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and decadent desserts, followed by an auction to capstone the event’s fundraising mission. Just as live theater promises the unexpected, the evening’s live auction brought a moment of magic. Prompted by a “sell your jacket” shout-out from the crowd, Marc

Clockwise from top left: The vibe for the Fulton’s annual gala encouraged guests to have fun, as was evidenced by …

Laura Schanz being twirled by Fulton Theatre board of directors member Marshall Snively.

Let’s twist again, to an all-vinyl set – provided by DJ Major Vibes – covering the late 1950s through the 1960s!

Executive Artistic Producer Marc Robin, who declared, “Producer’s Circle members are the heart and soul of the Fulton Theatre. Without that community, we couldn’t do what we do at the level we’re doing it.” He then auctioned his bedazzled, one-of-a-kind jacket to the highest bidder.

Sixties-inspired fashions as worn by Jeff and Angie Vasser and Dominique and Darryl Gordon.

The Fulton’s board of directors celebrating the evening’s success with Marc Robin.

Owner of Jill Brown Publicity, Marketing & Events, Jill brings highlights of Central Pennsylvania’s social scene and special events to Lancaster County Magazine’s readers. Do you have an event that you would like to have covered by Life of a Party? Contact her at jillianbrown@live.com.

Clockwise from top left: Fulton Theatre board president, Dave Groff, offered accolades to the honoree of the evening, High Companies, represented by its chief human resources officer, Darryl Gordon.

Each place setting was a unique LP from the ’60s.

Hairspray-themed centerpieces decorated each table.

Lighting and other decorative elements added a “theatrical” element to the atrium of The Ware Center for the Arts.

Zach Haines, Andrea Glass and Ken Martin

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David and Renie Beidleman

Robin donated his vibrant blue-andrhinestone-bedazzled jacket – which he had had custom-made for Hairspray’s opening night – as a live auction item.

Time to dance! Fun-loving guests in white go-go boots, varsity sweaters and Pucci-inspired prints crowded the dance floor to twist and shout to all-vinyl oldies spun by DJ Major Vibes.

“There are so many nonprofit organizations’ galas in one short time, and many people attend more than one,” said Fulton Theatre’s major gifts officer and event committee member Rebecca Fowler. “The ‘not black-tie-serious’ theme was a refreshing take on the community’s fundraising gala season.”

“The night felt like everything the arts should be. Happy. Fun. Collaborative,” recalls Marc Robin. “The arts are meant to make you feel alive!

When you leave a show at the Fulton Theatre, we want you to feel moved, inspired, your mood lifted and perhaps even your life changed.”

The Fulton Theatre’s 2026-2027 season opens with the powerful, Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime, September 25 – October 18, and the charmingly timeless Annie, November 20 – December 31. And there’s so much more ahead in 2027 at this national historic landmark theatre at12 N. Prince Street! For more shows and information, visit TheFulton.org.

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Resident photos by Vinny Tennis

COMMUNIT Y E N GAG E M E N T ADVERTORIAL

Intergenerational event hosted

by Homestead Village.

Homestead Village photo

Social and active lifestyles, community engagement, intergenerational relationships and family ties are terms that define retirement living in 2026. All relate to the role they are playing in helping residents of local retirement communities stay healthy (both physically and mentally), live longer lives, be socially active, retain relationships and give back to their communities, whether it’s the one in which they now live or the one that exists beyond their environs. Research demonstrates that seniors who embrace such a lifestyle enjoy a renewed sense of satisfaction and purpose in life.

Clubhouses, outdoor living areas, game rooms and fitness centers esearch also indicates that encourage social interaction. Volunteer opportunities also exist. Clubs enable maintaining strong family residents to continue favorite hobbies or bonds is vital to making become involved in new ones. a successful transition to retirement As for family connections, many living. It’s also been proven that interacting with younger generations is communities are now providing residents and their families with areas beneficial to the lives of older adults. where they can visit with one another.

As a result, senior living Private rooms are available to celebrate communities are no longer entities life’s milestones such as birthdays and unto themselves. Events are held that anniversaries. Communities are also welcome the public to campuses. hosting family-friendly events.

Many are home to restaurants that invite the public to enjoy a meal out.

Residents are encouraged to support Explore Retirement Living the community at large by volunteering October 17 their time, talents and expertise.

You’ll be able to see for yourself the Campus involvement also keeps ways in which Lancaster’s retirement residents active and engaged. communities have embraced this PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

R

philosophy, when they open their doors to prospective residents during the annual Explore Retirement Living event on October 17. The Open House-style event will involve 17 communities, including those profiled in this special section.

To take full advantage of the event, it’s suggested that you choose two to four communities to explore, wear comfortable shoes, and bring along family and friends. Once you’ve narrowed your choices, you can then schedule appointments with the communities.

Date is Saturday, October 17. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

For more information, visit Exploreretirementliving.org.

L AN C ASTE R CO U N T Y MAG A Z IN E | S E P TE MBE R- O CTOB ER 2026

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ADVERTORIAL

QUARRYVILLE PRESBYTERIAN RE TIREME NT COMMUNIT Y Type of Community: Providing for the spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs of our residents, Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community offers the full continuum of care associated with a Life Plan Community (or Continuing Care Retirement Community), meaning that regardless of what the future holds, you won’t have to start over.

Range of Services: Residential Living; Personal Care; Memory Support and Skilled Nursing Care; as well as Rehabilitation/ Respite Care. Services related to podiatry, auditory and therapy are available. We also provide transportation to appointments, and have a salon, bank and general store on campus. A chaplain is also on campus.

Residential Options: Apartments and cottages are available. The final phase of our Residential Living cottage community, Great Rock, is under construction and offers five models.

Population: Approximately 460

Community Engagement On and Off Campus

Q

uarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community’s philosophy of engagement is centered on helping residents experience fun, faith and fulfillment – both within our campus and in the broader community.

On campus, engagement occurs naturally through shared experiences, meaningful spaces and a culture that encourages connection. Resident-led clubs and spaces like the wood shop, greenhouse and model train room reflect a community where people continue to create, learn and invest in what matters to them.

A full calendar of concerts, outings, educational programs and social gatherings ensures there is always something that warrants your participation. That philosophy extends to mealtime. Meals are rarely eaten alone here. From the

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moment you sit down, you’re part of something – conversation that comes naturally, neighbors who become friends, and delicious, healthy food prepared and served with genuine care.

From a quick breakfast to an afternoon coffee or something sweet, Sunnyside Café is the kind of place that fits whatever your day calls for, with a varied menu and welcoming atmosphere.

The Bistro offers lighter fare in a relaxed setting – perfect for gathering with others or enjoying a quiet break. Windows on Park, our formal dining room, provides a more traditional experience, where thoughtfully prepared meals and shared conversation make everyday dining feel special. At The Joyful Scoop, residents can enjoy ice cream and lighthearted moments with family and friends.

Our community also prioritizes whole-person wellness. At the Great Rock Wellness Center, residents come

Opposite: Residents and their families can take advantage of amenities such as the lake that offers fishing and is surrounded by a walking path and gardens.

Here: Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community’s spacious apartments and cottages are perfect for entertaining family, friends and other residents. Dining options range from an ice cream parlor to fine dining.

together to stay active and healthy in a setting that fosters both physical wellbeing and social connection. The Wellness Center also provides for community interaction, as memberships are available to the public for individuals age 55 and over. The center offers a variety of programs led by qualified staff, including aquatic exercise, group fitness classes, balance and mobility training, strength training, personal training and flexibility sessions, all of which are designed to support active, healthy living.

Our approach is deeply shaped by our faith-based heritage. Since its founding in 1949, Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community has been grounded in a tradition through which worship and spiritual life are a natural and meaningful part of the community experience. Biblical principles have always guided life in this community, and today that foundation continues through worship, fellowship and everyday moments of care and encouragement.

Faith is not separate from community life – it is woven into it.

In support of those principles, this community offers regular on-campus faith-based opportunities and spiritual care. Residents can attend weekly Sunday worship services rooted in the Reformed tradition, along with Bible studies, vespers and small-group fellowship throughout

the week. A dedicated chaplain also provides pastoral care, offering personal support, prayer and visitation.

Beyond campus, we value being an active, caring presence in the surrounding community. Through events, partnerships and outreach, we foster relationships that extend connection and service beyond our campus. Together, these elements create a community where engagement isn’t just offered – it’s lived, every day.

625 Robert Fulton Highway Quarryville, PA 17566 717-786-7321 • Contact@quarryville.com Quarryville.com

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Intergenerational interactions at Pleasant View take place via visits from Manheim Central School District’s Life Skills curriculum and OneLife that sees gap-year students live and volunteer on campus. Pleasant View photos.

PLE ASANT VIE W COMMUNITIES Type of Community: Life Plan/Continuing Care Range of Services: Independent Living; Personal Care; Memory Support; Skilled Nursing; Rehabilitation Services; In-Home Care Residential Options: The community offers 152 apartments (including studios, one and two bedrooms) and 138 cottages.

Population: 500 residents across all levels of living

Community Engagement On and Off Campus

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ince opening its doors in 1955, Pleasant View has enjoyed a close-knit relationship with Manheim. As the community has expanded over the years, the greater Manheim area has been thoughtfully taken into consideration in the planning and building of amenities and services.

At Pleasant View, community engagement takes place on many levels.

For example, memberships to the PVFiT fitness center and pool are made available

to the public. The restaurant, Hearth and Harrow, also welcomes the public to enjoy its services.

The Kreider Farms Cultural Center is the new home of the Manheim Community Library and features a large event space that is not only utilized by the library for events but is also made available to the public for weddings, sports team banquets, community events, etc.

Intergenerational programs are also valued by residents, as they provide them with the opportunity to interact with younger generations. That will soon begin with the youngest members of the community. Construction is underway to transform a former nursing floor into a childcare center that will offer muchneeded services to the Manheim area.

On the high school level, groups from the Manheim Central and Manheim Township school districts visit often, whether to give musical performances or deliver Christmas cards. The Manheim Central Interact Club has planned many dances and other events for residents, while the Manheim Central Life Skills class has been a blessing, as they volunteer around campus and, through doing so, learn important skills.

Pleasant View also partners with a

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Christian gap-year program, OneLife, that sees college-aged students live, study and volunteer on campus.

Family interaction also thrives at Pleasant View, where there truly is something for everyone of all ages. From stopping for a bite to eat at Hearth and Harrow, to checking out a book from the Manheim Community Library, to visiting the Hoffer Farm animals, Pleasant View is a destination for families, not just seniors. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available for individuals or families. Pleasant View also hosts frequent family-friendly events that are open to all, including the annual spring Community Day and the Christmas Celebration event.

544 North Penryn Road Manheim, PA 17545 717-665-2445 • Info@pvcommunities.org Pleasantviewcommunities.org

Last spring, Homestead residents designed and hosted a day-long, ecofriendly experience for fifth-graders from Rohrerstown Elementary School.

Homestead Village photo.

H OMESTE AD VILL AG E Community Engagement On and Off Campus

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omestead Village is a nonprofit “Life Plan Community” designed for adults aged 62+ who want to live actively, independently and with confidence … today and in the years ahead. Everything we do is guided by one idea that sets us apart: THRIVE WHERE YOU ARE®.

This philosophy guides how our community is designed, how services are delivered, and how residents experience everyday life. Rather than asking people to fit into a rigid care model, THRIVE WHERE YOU ARE® means we strive to bring support, opportunities and services to residents, thus enabling individuals and couples to remain in the homes they love as long as it is safe, supportive and dignified to do so. When needs change in ways that call for a different level of care, we partner closely with residents and families to ensure thoughtful transitions are made that continue to honor comfort, dignity and quality of life.

At Homestead Village, residents don’t simply enjoy volunteer opportunities, they create them! From the Library Committee to the Gift Shoppe, The Auxiliary and Community Way partners

such as Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, there are many ways to get involved. For example, earlier this year, a group of 23 Homestead Village residents brought learning to life by organizing and hosting a memorable field trip at Rader Park for Ms. Aubree Lockard’s fifth-grade class from Rohrerstown Elementary School. What made the day especially meaningful was that it was entirely resident-driven and served as a reflection of the creativity, passion and lifelong commitment to learning that continues to define life at Homestead Village.

The field trip was thoughtfully structured to blend exploration, science and fun. Students began with a bus tour to visit the nearly 400-year-old Grant Noll Sycamore tree on Old Tree Drive, then followed the path of Brubaker Run as it winds through the community.

Upon arrival at Rader Park, they rotated through interactive learning stations, including Stream Studies, Water Quality Testing, and Nature Walks and Crafts.

After lunch at the pavilion, the group gathered for a special presentation by Lisa Sanchez of Lancaster County Parks, who shared stories about local wildlife and introduced students to animal pelts from the region.

Opportunities such as this are communicated through our traditional

calendars and message boards, as well as the online “APP” to communicate with residents. From daily menus, events and calendars, to meeting minutes, forms and directories, the UniGuest app is a one-stop location for a wide variety of information!

Type of Community: Life Plan Community (Continuing Care Retirement Community) Range of Services: Independent Living; Personal Care; Secure Personal Care Memory Support; Short- and Long-term Skilled Nursing Care; Rehabilitation Services (including physical, occupational and speech therapies); and Home Care Residential Options: Apartments, Cottages, Villas and Carriage Houses Population: 575

1800 Village Circle, Lancaster, PA 17603 717-397-4831 • Info@hvillage.org Homesteadvillage.org

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L ANDIS H OMES Type of Community: Continuing Care Retirement Community Range of Services: Residential Living; Personal Care; Healthcare; Dementia Support Residential Options: Apartments, Cottages, Hybrid Homes, Suites Population: 900+

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Landis Homes, healthy living is about continuing to participate fully in life. That is achieved through movement and fitness, friendship, confidence, fresh experiences and the encouragement to try something new.

One of the ways this philosophy comes to life is through Wellness Excursions. These off-campus adventures are designed to give residents opportunities to be active, challenged and engaged in ways that go beyond a traditional fitness class.

The Wellness Excursions came about after members of the Wellness Team received positive feedback to an indoor skydiving experience at iFLY. Seeing how much residents enjoyed activities

that offered both physical challenge and mental stimulation, the Wellness Excursions program continued to grow.

Recent trips have included snow tubing, an escape room, pickleball instruction with a professional, a visit to Knoebels Amusement Resort and an e-bike outing.

Upcoming excursions include ziplining, disc golf, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and more. For some residents, these experiences are brand new. For others, they are a chance to revisit something they have not done in years.

Another activity that takes residents off campus is Trekkers trips, which take them to trails and nature preserves for one- to two-mile hikes. These outings combine exercise with communing with nature and relaxed conversation.

The benefits of both these experiences often go far beyond the activity itself. Residents encourage one another, share stories from past adventures and get to know each other along with the Wellness Team in a more laid-back setting. As one resident shared, the excursions have offered a chance to test physical and mental abilities, develop new interests and sometimes the opportunity to “act like a kid again.”

This approach reflects the broader Landis Homes philosophy that healthy living should be enjoyable, meaningful and accessible. Whether someone is using the fitness center, taking part in aquatic

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The Leaman Woods Trail, which is located on the Landis Homes campus, enables residents to get some exercise, commune with nature and interact with other residents.

exercise, joining a hiking group or heading out for a new adventure, the goal is to help residents stay active, connected and open to what is still possible.

Beyond fitness, residents at Landis Homes enjoy many opportunities to connect, build friendships and stay involved. On campus, social connection happens through dining venues, gathering spaces, art exhibits, volunteer opportunities and cherished seasonal traditions such as the annual Strawberry Social. Group activities, educational programs, music, worship services, service projects, resident-run clubs and committees, lifelong learning classes and special events also help residents stay engaged and connected.

Residents can also enjoy off-campus outings to local restaurants, concerts, theaters, shopping, historical walking tours and other destinations throughout Lancaster County and beyond.

1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543 717-569-3271 • Info@landishomes.org Landishomes.org

Members of a hand-working group often gather around the fireplace in the social area of United Zion’s newest apartment building to work on knitting and crocheting projects and socialize.

UNITE D ZI ON RE TIREME NT COMMUNIT Y Community Engagement On and Off Campus

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nited Zion Retirement Community carries out its nonprofit mission of providing superior quality service in an environment based on doctrinal teachings of the United Zion Church. As a loving and caring community, United Zion strives to encourage independence, promote wellness and preserve human dignity.

On campus, residents can engage with each other through activities such as Book Club, Bible Study, a hand-working group (knitting, crocheting, etc.), Walking Club and other fitness activities, games and more. Volunteer opportunities enable residents to assist with events, clubs or visit with other residents. Pets such as dogs and cats further promote interaction among residents. Bonds are also created

through daily devotions and Sunday service that are offered.

Residents can also stay engaged through the Icon app, an interactive program that is designed to streamline all communication.

Interacting with the wider community is achieved through offcampus volunteer opportunities and through outings made to Central Pennsylvania restaurants and shopping destinations, as well as far-flung adventures such as a cruise to Bermuda.

Residents can maintain strong ties to family and friends by having them visit and dine with them. Events such as our annual Easter Egg Hunt provide for intergenerational fun. Family, friends and the public are welcome to take part in special events such as the Chocolate Stroll, Car Show and Christmas Bazaar.

Type of Community: Faith-based nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Range of Services: Independent Living; Personal Care and Nursing Care (which is equipped with 12 Rehab rooms) Residential Options: A variety of apartments and cottages Population: 220

722 Furnace Hill Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-2071 Marketing@uzrc.org Uzrc.org

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FAIRMOUNT Community Engagement On and Off Campus

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Fairmount, community engagement is an essential part of living well and aging well. We believe people thrive through meaningful relationships, purposeful involvement and connection to something larger than themselves.

On campus, we encourage residents to participate in social, educational, spiritual, volunteer and wellness opportunities that foster friendship, belonging and personal growth. Volunteers support our mission in many ways, including visiting with residents, assisting with activities and events, helping with worship services and Bible studies, participating in singing groups, supporting administrative and hospitality functions, growing vegetables that are freshly served in our café and maintaining our flower beds throughout campus. They also assist at community events such as concerts, health expos and blood drives. In addition, volunteers share their unique talents and skills through educational presentations, creative programs, seasonal events and intergenerational activities.

Beyond our campus, we seek to remain actively connected to the broader community through relationships with churches, schools, businesses and local organizations. Fairmount regularly hosts a

Fairmount resident Edith Gehman (left) tends to the flower beds that surround one of the gazebos on campus. Assisting her are (left to right) her daughter, Denise Trupe, her great-grandsons, Mason and Colter Rutt, and her granddaughter, Katie Rutt.

variety of events, workshops and seminars that are open to residents, families and members of the broader community. We believe that meaningful connections enrich lives, and we welcome opportunities to engage with neighbors and friends both on and off campus.

Throughout the year, Fairmount offers community events such as our popular outdoor summer concert series, healthy-living expos, blood donation drives, educational presentations, wellness sessions and weight loss classes. We also provide opportunities for spiritual growth and support through worship services, Bible studies, singing groups and GriefShare support groups.

In addition, community members are welcome to participate in many of our social and service-oriented activities, including game nights, volunteer opportunities and access to our campus libraries.

Fairmount also serves as a gathering place for important life events, including weddings, reunions, funerals and memorial services.

Our goal is to be more than a retirement community – we strive to be a vibrant community partner where people of all ages can learn, connect, serve, worship and build meaningful relationships. We view community not simply as a place where people live, but as a network of relationships that strengthen, encourage and support one another.

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Type of Community: Continuing Care Retirement Community Range of Services: Residential Living; Personal Care; Health Care/Skilled Nursing Care; Short-term Rehabilitation. The Rehab Center provides physician-directed programs including physical, occupational and speech therapies. Fairmount also offers a Plain Community Rehabilitation Program for those who do not have insurance due to their religious beliefs.

Residential Options: Residential Living accommodations include 52 cottages, with 16 additional cottages currently under construction. Cottages range in size from one to three bedrooms, all with at least a one-car garage. Fairmount’s 103 apartments range in size from studio to two bedrooms with two full bathrooms.

Population: Nearly 400 residents across all levels of care

333 Wheat Ridge Drive, Ephrata, PA 17522 717-354-1800 Mailbox@FairmountHomes.org FairmountHomes.org

Type of Community: Life Plan Community Range of Services: Residential Living; Assisted Living; Personal Care; Nursing Care; Rehabilitation (physical, speech and occupational) Residential Options: Apartments, Cottages, Carriage Homes and Townhomes Population: 600 MMC’s Stitching for Hope members create comforters that are distributed (via the Mennonite Central Committee) to people across the world who are impacted by war and natural disasters.

MORAVIAN MANOR COMMUNITIES On campus, MMC offers many volunteer opportunities, from serving on a On and Off Campus committee to helping transport residents residing in care neighborhoods to Moravian Manor activities. Residents stay actively involved Communities (MMC), through committees such as Education, engagement includes Community Life and the Lamplighters more than programming. It is part of who Auxiliary. The Lamplighters have been we are. Residents and staff are encouraged lighting the way since 1985 with ongoing to stay connected, contribute their gifts, fundraising and awareness efforts for and remain active not only on campus, MMC’s Benevolent Care Fund that aids but throughout the wider community. residents who are unable to pay for their That philosophy is one reason why care through no fault of their own yet many residents choose Moravian Manor continue to receive the quality care and Communities in the first place. Nestled support they need. Residents also share in the borough of Lititz, with downtown their compassion through programs like just a short stroll away, MMC offers the No Resident Dies Alone, whereby trained rare opportunity to enjoy campus life volunteers sit vigil with residents near while remaining closely connected to the the end of life when family members are character, events and relationships that unable to be present. make Lititz special.

Residents are deeply engaged in the local community through volunteer work with the Lititz Welcome Center, Matthew 25 and Meals on Wheels.

They also support organizations such as Blessings of Hope and Stitching for Hope, an initiative through which residents extend their impact well beyond Lancaster County by For the past 40 years, members of Lamplighters Auxiliary have

Community Engagement

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creating handmade comforters for people displaced by war and natural disasters.

These comforters are distributed worldwide through the Mennonite Central Committee.

Our partnership with the Lititz recCenter further reflects that commitment, creating even more ways for residents to stay active, involved and connected. Staying engaged is vital to healthy aging. Meaningful involvement supports emotional well-being, encourages movement, stimulates the mind and fosters a strong sense of purpose. Just as important, it reinforces the bonds between MMC and the local community that supports us in so many ways. When residents and staff participate beyond our campus, they help create a culture that is vibrant, generous, and outward looking.

To learn more about the Lamplighters Auxiliary and the Stitching for Hope program, visit our website at moravianmanorcommunities.org/blog.

300 West Lemon Street Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-0214 Info@moravianmanor.org Moravianmanorcommunities.org

been raising funds for MMC’s Benevolent Care Fund.

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ADVERTORIAL

LUTHERCARE Community Engagement Type of Community: Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) with locations in Lititz (Luther Acres) and Columbia (St. John Herr’s Estate) Range of Services: Independent Living; Supportive Personal Care; Memory Care; Skilled Nursing Care; Rehabilitation; Inhome Care Residential Options: Our communities feature thoughtfully designed Independent Living cottages and apartments in a variety of sizes and layouts to suit different tastes and budgets. We also offer beautifully updated private Rehabilitation rooms, private or companion Personal Care suites, and private and semi-private Skilled Nursing rooms.

Population: Approximately 605 residents at Luther Acres, and 170 at St. John Herr’s Estate

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Luthercare, we believe community engagement is vital for healthy, purposeful living. At the heart of our approach is a commitment to creating opportunities and experiences that support every dimension of wellbeing. We strive to provide opportunities for residents to build meaningful connections, share their talents, pursue lifelong interests and remain actively involved in causes that matter to them.

On campus, community engagement is fostered through a vibrant lifestyle program focused on each resident’s wellbeing journey that includes social, emotional, physical, spiritual, volunteer and intergenerational opportunities. Many residents take part in clubs, committees, resident-led initiatives and programs that help shape community life. We believe a strong sense of belonging comes from actively pursuing your passions and connecting with others.

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Residents also have many opportunities to enjoy off-campus experiences with friends and neighbors.

From restaurant outings, shopping excursions and local sightseeing to hiking adventures, theater performances, concerts and cultural attractions, there is something for every interest.

Opportunities range from local excursions to multi-day trips to destinations such as New York’s Finger Lakes wine country and the Jersey Shore, among others. Residents may also participate in international travel experiences, creating opportunities for adventure, lifelong learning and meaningful connections along the way.

We also believe that thriving communities create better environments for older adults and future generations alike. Therefore, we encourage residents to look beyond our campuses and remain active participants in the greater community through volunteer service, local partnerships, educational opportunities, civic engagement and intergenerational experiences.

Opposite: Spacious residences promote social interaction and the formation of new friendships at Luther Acres in Lititz.

Here (clockwise from right): Residents who take part in the Wittel Farm Growing Project plant, tend and harvest crops in an effort to alleviate food insecurity in the wider community.

Luthercare photo.

Staff and residents take part in community events such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Luthercare photo.

Supporting the wider community extends to shopping locally. Luthercare photo.

As a longstanding supporter and sponsor of organizations such as Venture Lititz and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Luthercare actively invests in initiatives that promote economic vitality, community development and leadership growth. These partnerships help strengthen the places where our residents live while fostering meaningful connections between generations, businesses, nonprofits and community leaders.

Through opportunities like these, residents continue making a positive impact while building connections throughout Lancaster County and beyond.

Our residents will contribute more than 13,000 volunteer hours alone this year, supporting dozens of organizations throughout Lancaster County. One

such opportunity exists with the Wittel Farm Growing Project – a ministry of the Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central Pennsylvania through which crops are harvested and donated to those in need.

The Project has created opportunities for residents to plant, tend and harvest produce while supporting local food security efforts and participating in meaningful, purpose-driven activities.

Luthercare’s senior living communities also welcome visitors to their campuses by hosting events that are designed to bring residents, families, friends and community members together. Throughout the year, our communities offer a variety of educational, cultural and seasonal events, including a Book Fest, Strawberry Festival,

storytelling programs, educational speaker presentations, Community Attic Treasures and Fall Fest sales, Holiday Bazaar and other special events. These gatherings reflect our commitment to fostering meaningful connections and creating opportunities for engagement both within our communities and throughout the broader community.

That welcoming spirit is also reflected in our chef-inspired dining venues that have the feel of your favorite full-service restaurant with delicious made-fromscratch items, including signature dishes and regional favorites. All are open to the public, including Coffee & Cork, a cozy gathering place offering specialty coffee drinks, handcrafted cocktails and a creative bar menu, and Chophouse 300, where premium entrées are complemented by expertly selected wine pairings.

Ultimately, our goal is to create a community where people feel connected, valued and encouraged to continue making a difference – living with purpose, building relationships, serving others and contributing to the wellbeing of our campuses and beyond.

600 East Main Street, Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-1171 Info@luthercare.com Luthercare.org

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Foodographer

Chef Max Fanton

Sous Chef Morgan Wilson and Executive Sous Chef Quincy Young watch as Chef Max Fanton slices meat for a new sampler at KōLE. The restaurant specializes in premium cuts of beef, notably Japanese A5 Hyogo Prefecture Kobe and Takamori drunken wagyu, sourced from cattle-fed spent sake mash.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS

BY JORDAN BUSH

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Executive Sous Chef Quincy Young heats the Josper wood-fired ovens using a propane igniter and a handheld leaf blower.

There are fires burning in downtown Lititz; some have flames, while others have souls.

At restaurants KōLE Chophouse and Cavolo! Pizzeria Bar, you’ll find both. Bringing staff on the journey is Chef Max Fanton, the French-born Italian who has worked shoulder to shoulder with some of the most acclaimed chefs in the world. Maximizing genuinely fantastic culinary experiences, Chef Max has spent the past few years bringing a single team together in an effort to achieve excellence in Lititz.

Chef Paul Sawyer tends the flames in the Fiero Forni wood-fired ovens at Cavolo! Pizzeria Bar. The fires are started around 7 a.m. to reach 750 degrees by lunchtime.

he journey of young Maxime Fanton began in the Champagne region of France.

When his parents first met, their families – who hailed from different regions – did not approve of their relationship. Eventually, they and 3-yearold Max moved to Italy, where Max’s father had family. “They started their new life with nothing,” Max reports.

His father was a viticoltore – essentially a grape farmer working at a vineyard for a winery. Working in agriculture turned out to be fortuitous, as housing was often provided. Home turned out to be a grand house called Azienda Agricola, which Chef Max Selected cuts of choice meat sizzle on the aromatic Josper wood-fired grill in KōLE’s kitchen for the Meat Stravaganza that evening.

describes as “15 acres of manicured, beautiful property with this major house. Dad was taking care of the vineyards and the nature of it. Mom was hosting dinners and lunches for the wine company to represent their wines. If the wine company organized a vintage Porsche rally, my mom would be making sure that we had table settings ready, the food was ready.

Sometimes we had up to 150 people having really nice dinners.”

Wine and hospitality became second nature to Max. “Wine was always a big component in their lives, and so I grew up with that,” he notes. “I think hospitality grew deep in the house from the very beginning, because my mom loved to do it. My L AN C ASTE R CO U N T Y MAG A Z IN E | S E P TE MBE R- O CTOB ER 2026

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Clockwise from above: Chef Max Fanton rallies Maître d’ Daniel Arauco ahead of the Friday evening service.

Chef Max Fanton walks KōLE’s staff through menu additions, including Japanese sake, and discusses the finer points of producing A5 Kobe and wagyu beef.

Chef Max (center) leads a joint “pre-shift” meeting for KōLE and Cavolo’s staff. From left to right, Cavolo! manager, Devin Hurst; Chef Paul Sawyer; Sous Chef Morgan Wilson; Executive Sous Chef Quincy Young; Beverage Coordinator Dallis Broderick; and Maître d’ Daniel Arauco.

Line Cook Lea Tolentino starts the next order through KōLE’s “pass” or passthrough.

Chef Max Fanton slices the last of the strawberries with Line Cook Lea Tolentino in KōLE’s kitchen.

KōLE’s Meat Stravaganza, a “rotating selection of wood-fired meats with seasonal accompaniments, house pickles and chef’s sauces” served on a bed of herbs.

mom was exceptionally good at hosting people, making people feel good. My dad was always really passionate about landscaping, making sure things look good,” he says.

During Easter and Christmas, the Fantons would travel back to France to visit family. “That was always rich in food, especially having an uncle as a baker,” says Chef Max. While visiting his uncle, he found himself “literally sleeping next to the pastry area where they would be making bread and chocolate croissants,” he explains. “I would wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning during the Christmas season; you have carts of chocolate croissants that just came out of the oven, and you’re stuffing your face! Then, eventually, grandma’s making all these cheese boards. So, food was always a big component, and it was always very generous.”

Despite the storybook setting, life

for a young boy on a rural vineyard was isolating, explains Max, especially during the summer break. The owner of the wine company would visit the property and catch up with Max’s dad.

His arrival in a beautiful Mercedes-Benz was exciting, and he would strike up conversations with Max. They became friends and started going out for lunch together. Max would jump in the car in his rubber boots, and off they would go. “My mom always taught me good manners, how to eat, and how to be at the table, so he enjoyed going out with me,” he recalls. Still, his mom “would be embarrassed, knowing that I was going to this nice restaurant, wearing work clothing and boots.” The lunch excursions served as an introduction to dishes Max had never experienced.

“In our area, it was always about grilled meats and traditional and regional cooking,” he explains. “We were very

close to the Alps and the Adriatic, so the cuisine is very diversified.”

When Max turned 14, he wanted the independence that a motorcycle could offer. The hills of the Prosecco region are beautiful, but difficult to pedal on a mountain bike, Max lamented. He needed transportation, so his parents advanced him a loan for a 50cc motorcycle. The newfound freedom came with the responsibility of a summer job as a dishwasher at a restaurant. “I think I earned €300 the entire summer,” he reports.

The creative and bustling restaurant atmosphere suited him, prompting him to pursue a culinary path.

Michelin Stars Aligned Max worked his way up to a job at Chef Karl Baumgartner’s Michelinstarred restaurant, Schöneck. “He was my first true mentor. He was very

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German, very, very tough,” says Max. “But it was an awesome experience; so that’s when I dropped [out of] school, and started working there.”

With a talented staff, the learning opportunities presented themselves in new ways. “That made it easy for me to chase. I wanted more,” says Max. He befriended a colleague, Chef Yukiro Takamora, who taught him how to butcher fish using Japanese knives and techniques. When Chef Yuki moved back to Japan, Max visited him, sleeping on the floor of a tiny apartment and falling in love with the culture.

Comfortable in his role at Schöneck, Max aimed higher, wanting to work in three-star Michelin-rated restaurants to learn more advanced cooking techniques. Inclusion in the Michelin guides is considered the pinnacle of culinary acclaim, so Max bought guides for Italy, France and Spain. Equipped with a list of three-star restaurants, he mailed his résumé to his top choices. A lone, albeit a three-star reply, came from the Basque region of Spain. It offered a three-month unpaid internship called a “stage,” which is now illegal in Spain and is considered exploitive. Housing would be provided, and with the money he had saved for the unpaid duration, Max was ready for his next adventure.

From Spain’s Basque Region to Shanghai, China In 2007, with an offer in hand, the young chef booked a flight to Barcelona.

From the coastal Mediterranean city, an eight-hour bus ride took him northwest into the mountains. “I didn’t speak Spanish. I had no clue. I was just in Spain, living the dream,” he recounts.

“I remember we were getting closer to the Basque Country, and all of a sudden, we went through a tunnel and [on the other side] there was a storm.

Mountains, green and dark, and I’m [thinking], this doesn’t look like Spain.

This doesn’t look like Spain at all!”

Chef Martin Berasategui’s eponymous restaurant’s kitchen was held to the highest of expectations.

“Chef Martin Berasategui was considered the toughest chef in Spain,” Max shares. “We were the number 20 restaurant in the world by San Pellegrino at the time,” he says, referring to the sponsoring company that ranks the 50 best restaurants in the world.

“The pedigree of that restaurant was amazing,” he says.

Having developed superb skills with fish at Schöneck, Chef Max quickly advanced to chef de partie of fish. The leadership position put him in charge of the fish station. “You want to be competitive in a kitchen. You want to elbow somebody to just go and do your thing, so that you can pour yourself into your work, to have the opportunity to take the product and do things under that type of supervision. It shows a lot of character,” he says.

After nearly three years in the Basque region, a weary Max gave notice of leaving to Chef Berasategui, who immediately refused it. Instead, he wanted Chef Max to open a restaurant for him in the rapidly growing metropolis of Shanghai, China. So, in 2009, Max moved to China. In addition to French, Italian and Castellano, he now needed to learn English. “I was watching HBO’s The Wire, with subtitles. That’s how I learned English.” Living in China until the end of 2016, Chef Max got to cook for the former NBA superstar Yao Ming, as well as at the Automobile Museum of Shanghai. He frequently traveled to Japan to import fish and kitchen knives, which eventually led to a side business.

An App of Another Kind In the mid-2010s, a work trip took Max to New York City. Free of the bounds of China’s censorship, he logged into a dating app and matched with a beautiful young woman named Lauren. They started a conversation that continued after Max returned to China.

The 12-hour time difference was perfect for saying good morning and goodnight, explains Max, recalling the time when they’d talk about their days using a Chinese messaging app.

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It wasn’t until six months later that the two would finally meet in person.

Max flew from China to Los Angeles to have dinner with Lauren. Their relationship grew, and ultimately, it was easier for Max to move to the United States than for Lauren to relocate to China. They started life in Boston, later moving to Philadelphia. On June 17, 2026, they welcomed their son into the world, a beautiful baby boy named Silvio.

During the pandemic shutdown, Max thought it prudent to update his résumé, which later led to a recruiter calling about a job in Lititz. Lauren had grown up near Bucknell, so the opportunity seemed like a chance to achieve a perfect work-life balance. The reality turned out to be just the opposite.

KōLE Opening in 2018 as Blackworth, the restaurant has gone through a tumultuous journey. Chef turnover was high, the menu lacked focus, offering everything from wood-fired pizza and wings to steak. But it had potential. “I was supported by the owners, because when I came in 2020, I saved the place basically,” says Max. “I was determined to put my soul into it and make it work.

It was tough, but it happened, so I had a lot of credibility, even when I burned the restaurant. We rebuilt it better; it only took us four months. There was a lot of talent being displayed at that time,” he says.

While rebounding from the kitchen fire, Max reached out to marketing agencies in 2023 to explore rebranding, but ultimately refrained from making a change. A pivot was needed two years later when the ownership reorganized due to Daryl Heller’s ATM debacle.

They had a week to completely reorganize, prompting Max to reach back out to an agency in Philadelphia.

They landed on the name KōLE, coming from the Pennsylvania Dutch word meaning coal, a nod to the local heritage and charcoal cooking.

Their “Trojan Horse,” as Chef Max describes it, was a new point-of-sale system to start a new entity. On the

Clockwise from top left: Pizza in one of two wood-fired Fiero Forni ovens at Cavolo! The exterior of the ovens are covered in green Venetian tile.

Chef Max Fanton carries a tray of pizza from Cavolo! to KōLE’s dining room for a private event.

Riley Beears (left) finalizes an order, while Ada Wilbert tops a pizza with freshly grated Parmesan before serving.

Chef Paul Sawyer tosses pepper roasting in a cast iron skillet, hot out of the Fiero Forni ovens.

Executive Sous Chef Quincy Young switches from his duties at KōLE’s to Cavolo! to make pizzas for a private event.

morning of March 5, 2025, this step allowed Blackworth to close in the morning and for KōLE to open that same afternoon, ensuring employees retained all their hours.

As it turned out, Max’s childhood lunches in Italy’s Prosecco region, and learning from the top chefs in Italy, Japan, Spain and China, all came full circle. At KōLE, Chef Max is leveraging those experiences.

Holy Smokes!

The goal of opening a second restaurant existed for years before Cavolo! opened. In Italian, its name translates to “cabbage” and is slang for “holy smokes.” As the adjacent Market at Wilbur came to a close, an opportunity arose. Chef Max’s vision entailed a restaurant with a clear Italian identity, one that would complement KōLE’s live-fire cooking, while honoring the building and community. Co-owner Eric Hoover originally wanted to offer wood-fired pizza at Blackworth, so opening a wood-fired Italian pizzeria would be a natural fit.

As a second restaurant, Cavolo! enables employees to pick up additional hours in a culture they know, with some variety in tasks, providing for a better work-life balance. “It’s one team at the end of the day,” says Chef Max. Cavolo! Pizzeria Bar is approachable with a locally seasonal menu. Wine is supplied by Vine Bar Collective, an importer of organic Italian wine, with a tasting room in Downtown Lancaster.

Make no mistake, the cooking at Cavolo! is every bit as delightful as at KōLE. Where Cavolo! stops and KōLE begins, the team is “all hands on deck,” says Chef Max. A narrow corridor connects the two restaurants in the back of house for a team that is able to fill multiple roles. It takes training,

experience and trust in those abilities, with “aces in their places,” adds Executive Sous Chef Quincy Young, whose culinary background started with a high school career-and-technology program. His initiative and drive have grown his skills to assume a position of leadership in both restaurants.

Teamwork Just before opening, staff gather for a 3:30 “pre-shift” meeting at the bar.

Staff members review additions to the menu, asking questions, taking notes, digging deep into specifics; it’s a culinary classroom. Meanwhile, Maître d’ Daniel Arauco updates the menu, printing as many as several hundred, all in-house.

Among the kitchen staff, Garde Manger Derek Reist will work the franticpaced gravy station this evening; he worked at a Five Guys just over a year ago.

Helming KōLE’s Josper charcoal ovens is Sous Chef Morgan Wilson, whom Chef Quincy describes as a “bullet.” Point the proverbial gun at a target, and she goes flying with precision and focus. On the other end of the line is Line Cook Lea Tolentino, who earned a journalism degree in Puerto Rico and loves writing.

She is as focused as she is meticulous. At Cavolo!, Chef Paul Sawyer commands the flames of two wood-fired ovens. At any given time, they can all be found guiding staff, deepening skillsets and creating outstanding dining experiences. Even here, several languages are spoken in the kitchen, as a diverse group of workers brings their skills and experiences to both restaurants.

Where fire is concerned, heat in the kitchen is part of the job, but their culture is developed to handle it together.

KōLE Chophouse is located at 52 N. Broad Street in Lititz. Cavolo!

Pizzeria Bar is located at 54 N. Broad Street. Websites are Kolelititz.com and Cavolo.pizza

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Above, top to bottom: Tanya Simenchenko salts house-made chips next door in KōLE’s kitchen, the primary ingredient in Cavolo’s Italian Loaded Chips that are served with dry-cured coppa, castelvetrano olives, shaved parmesan and hot honey.

Bartenders Dallis Broderick and Sara Blankenstein helm KōLE’s bar.

Maître d’ Daniel Arauco expediently delivers exceptional cocktails and experiences with personal care.

Clockwise from top left: The Wilbur building, home of KōLE Chophouse and Cavolo!

Pizzeria Bar in Downtown Lititz, dressed for the United States Semiquincentennial.

Marrakesh Lamb Chops with carrot puree, mint, and pomegranate ready at the pass, as Sous Chef Morgan Wilson and Line Cook Austin Cheadle work in the background.

Flame-kissed Ribeye sizzles over Quebracho charcoal .

Sous chef Morgan Wilson and Alex Radicone plate Fillet Oscar with Maine lobster salad, béarnaise, espelette and chive olive oil.

Tuna Tartare with limoncello sauce, Calabrian pepper and chive oil.

Line Cook Alex Radicone is greeted at the start of his shift by Chef Max in KōLE’s kitchen.

A NEW SEASON OF

ARTS Awaits!

2026-2027 SEASON

AT THE WARE CENTER FOR THE ARTS Exceptional arts from around the world and around the corner. Inspiring films and meaningful conversations. Creative learning experiences for all ages. Built for the community, right here in Lancaster.

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5 thoughtprovoking films plus filmmaker Q&As and community dialogue.

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View all 40+ events, dates, and details at ARTSMU.COM

Bathroom Addition: Paradise Custom Kitchens

LIFE

at Home

BY SUE LONG

Outdoor Living: Cocalico Builders

Custom Home: TONO Group

As Dorothy repeated,

“there’s no place like home,” over and over again in The Wizard of Oz, most of us adhere to those same sentiments where our own homes are concerned.

Whether we live in a city row home, a suburban mid-century, a modern condominium, a country farmhouse or a historic structure in a small town, home is where we raise children, entertain friends, celebrate the holidays with family and simply enjoy puttering around. Our homes reflect who we are.

Taking pride in our homes is something Lancaster has long been known for. A friend and I used to laugh over her memory of having to pull weeds from the cracks in the sidewalk in front of her Cabbage Hill home. “My mother was adamant that no weeds would grow on her section of the sidewalk!” she recalled of her Saturday morning assignment. As for me, I

remember that it drove my mother nuts that my dad insisted on mowing the lawn at least twice a week.

Fortunately, the county is blessed with talented architects, designers, tradespeople, builders and remodelers who have been making dreams a reality since the first settlers arrived in Lancaster County. That tradition continues. On the following pages, you will meet Alyssa Hayes, a designer with Paradise Custom Kitchens, who created a primary bathroom in an attic for clients whose home dates to the 1840s; members of the TONO Group, whose modern marvel, Treetops, is nestled on a hillside in Southern Lancaster County; and Dwight Graybill of Cocalico Builders, who created an outdoor living area for clients using barnwood that is over 100 years old.

Incredibly, all three companies are celebrating significant anniversaries this year.

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Life

in Balance

With only one bathroom to serve a family of five, the homeowners sought to remedy the situation by incorporating a primary suite into the attic area of their 1840s home. Alyssa Hayes of Paradise Custom Kitchens retrofitted a bathroom and walk-in closet into a relatively small space, thus creating a suite that offers privacy and modern conveniences, all while it complements the era in which the house was built. The frosted-glass pocket door leads into a vestibule and beyond, the primary bedroom.

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You’ve bought the house of your dreams. It dates to the 19th century and needs some TLC and updating. The question is, do you pay homage to its time period or go full-out modern? Alyssa Hayes, a designer with Paradise Custom Kitchens, maintains “the goal should be to achieve a healthy balance without stripping away what you love about old houses, which in most cases is their charm.”

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PARADISE CUSTOM KITCHENS

P

eriod-inspired kitchens and baths just happen to be a specialty of Paradise Custom Kitchens. “We’ve done work on many period homes over the years – some of them pre-Civil War – in Lancaster and Chester counties, the Philly area, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey,” says Alyssa of the reputation the company has built over the past 40 years.

Paradise Custom Kitchens has a little history of its own. It was founded in 1986 by Ruth Doutrich, who was a revolutionary in her own right, as she and her husband launched the custom home building company Doutrich Homes in 1959, when women were a rarity in the industry.

Twenty-plus years later, Ruth, who passed away earlier this year, deemed it was time to launch a complementary business specializing in kitchens and baths. She and co-founder Leslie Rickenbach headquartered the business in the home of Ruth’s son, Tim Doutrich, with the basement serving as the office and the kitchen as the showroom. A year later, both companies moved to the present location in Paradise. Since then, the building has been expanded nine times, including the addition of a 13,000-square-foot cabinet shop.

Along with the building, the design staff grew in size, as well. The seven designers now include Michael McCullough, one of the company’s founding partners, who has been designing kitchens and baths for more than 40 years and still prefers to execute designs by hand (he is in the process of attempting to semi-retire). Other designers include Mike Katz, who also has 40-plus years in the business and is a fan of traditional design; Brandy Beiler, a veteran of 30 years, whose expertise is designing efficient spaces; Andrew Baker, a new addition to the team, bringing 20 years of experience in the industry; Stacy Nass, a literature major who found design to be her calling, with transitional being her favorite look; and Alyssa, who progressed into design 12 years ago and names matching design aesthetics to each client's taste and their home as her specialty. Finally, Tim Doutrich, who is the company’s president and CEO, is still designing and has gone on to become an Aging-In-Place specialist.

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Opposite, left to right: Alyssa knew she could do better than just having a door separate the bedroom from the bathroom and incorporated a “vestibule” to transition the spaces. In this case, the space is large enough to accommodate a cabinet whose top is used as a coffee/drink station.

The vestibule also provides passage into the walk-in closet.

Alyssa Hayes has been a kitchen and bath designer for the past 12 years.

Top: The eight-foot-high wall perfectly accommodated the double-sink vanity and a shower. The question was how to use what would be considered wasted space under the sloping roofline. The clients’ request for a soaker tub was the perfect solution.

Right and above: The furniture-look vanity reflects the newfound popularity of natural wood, as it was fashioned from rift-cut oak.

The use of wood accents also comes into play with the barn-beam accents and wainscoting.

Stone veneer was used to create the brick-look flooring.

A walk-in shower features creature comforts such as multiple shower heads, a wall niche and a floating bench. Design elements include a linear drain, brass fixtures, glass, a barn beam, five-inch-square zellige tiles on the walls and a mosaic pattern on the shower floor.

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Strategizing Whether a house is from 1776 or 1926, Alyssa is of the opinion that respect needs to be paid to the era in which it was built. That means working with the original features and not against them. “You don’t want to strip away the character of a house,” she says. “That’s probably what attracted you to it in the first place.” She also likes to see original layouts be respected where possible. All too often a homebuyer is ready to tear down walls and create a modern and open floor plan. “I hate to see that happen when the implications aren’t properly considered,” she says. “It can throw off the scale and proportion, especially in a really old home.” Another “rule” is to refinish and not replace, especially where floors are concerned.

“You just can’t easily replicate that look and feeling with new flooring,” she points out. Avoiding trends is also encouraged.

“In the case of an old home, it’s preferable to go with timeless, natural materials such as marble, brass and wood,” she says.

However, such guidelines don’t mean you have to live like its 1776. “You can easily incorporate ‘creature comforts’ into a design like heated floors, smart technology and hidden storage,” she notes.

The old saying – what goes around comes around – seems to be driving design in 2026. Covid taught us that open floor plans foster a little too much togetherness, hence we’ve gained a newfound appreciation for spaces that offer a semblance of separation and privacy. Wood is back … leaf through the major décor publications and the evidence is there as far as furniture and cabinetry are concerned.

Thrifting has become a word to live by in making a personal decorating statement. Shades of beige have replaced gray (Alyssa says “griege” is a happy medium). Natural elements such as quartzite, granite, soapstone, slate, butcher block and marble are in high demand.

With that said, no matter which direction a client chooses to take, Alyssa says it’s the designer’s job to respect their wishes and make their vision a reality. For those who elect to take the period route, research will ensure that the specific period is captured.

An Attic Getaway Alyssa’s expertise in complementing period architecture with modern design Is seen in a bath she designed for her clients’ primary bedroom that had been created in the attic space of their home. Now, they were ready to expand the space and create a primary suite, complete with a bath and walk-in closet. “The house, which dates to the 1840s, only had one bathroom and they were sharing it with their three kids,” she says of the need for another bath.

The project was not without its challenges. As the proposed bath would be in the attic, the available space with sufficient headroom was a concern. The space restrictions ruled out the expansive spa-like retreats that are associated with the 21st century. Therefore, the options were to build an addition or to work within the space that was available.

“An addition would have detracted from the exterior of the house,” Alyssa says. In addition, the attic area was devoid of mechanicals and needed to have that remedied.

The wish list included amenities such as a walk-in shower, a soaking tub and a double-sink vanity. “I knew I needed an eight-foot-high wall for the shower and vanity. With careful planning we were able to design a space that maximized use of the highest point in the room.” The sloped roofline made the opposite wall all but unusable … however, the soaker tub proved to be the perfect solution for that area. Alyssa also L AN C ASTE R CO U N T Y MAG A Z IN E | S E P TE MBE R- O CTOB ER 2026

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Paradise Custom Kitchens’ Tim Doutrich and Stacy Nass designed this period-look kitchen that features a black-and-white color scheme, refinished floors, exposed ceiling joists, period lighting fixtures and barnwood accents. Modern elements include a large island, plenty of storage, a plethora of windows, a beverage station and even a built-in feeding station for the family pets. The dark appliances complement the color scheme.

reserved space to create what she calls a “vestibule” that provides the bath with some separation from the walk-in closet and the bedroom. “I knew we could squeeze more out of the space,” she says. Vestibules can also serve as anything from a coffee bar to a charging station for electronics.

Once the design elements were in place, Alyssa’s concentration shifted to creating a look for the space.

The double-sink vanity was built using rift-cut white oak.

“It delivers a furniture look for the space,” Alyssa notes.

The brick-look floor is real brick made thinner for flooring applications. Brass plumbing fixtures and other accents lend themselves to a period look. Wood also alludes to the age of the house. Barn beams (from Sylvan Brandt) were used in place of classic crown molding, while the lower walls exhibit wainscoting.

As for modern creature comforts, the shower exemplifies that. The floor of the shower is tiled in a mosaic pattern, while the walls deviate from the subway tile look and utilize five-byfive-square-inch zellige tiles that according to Alyssa “deliver the look of handmade tiles and provide a softer look.” Finally, a floating bench made of quartz provides the ultimate place to find that moment of Zen. “The house called for a certain aesthetic, and I think we achieved that,” Alyssa says. “The renovations ‘fit’ into the home, making the new bathroom look like it has always belonged there.”

For more information, visit Paradisecustomkitchens.com.

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ADVERTORIAL

Best HELOC Lenders in Lancaster for Homeowners Lancaster homeowners looking to tap into their home’s equity have excellent local options. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) provides flexible access to funds for renovations, debt consolidation or major expenses. Credit unions offering HELOC in Lancaster, PA, provide competitive rates and personalized service to help you achieve your financial goals.

1. Members 1st Federal Credit Union

2. Lanco Federal Credit Union

Among credit unions offering HELOCs in Lancaster, PA, Members 1st Federal Credit Union stands out as the top choice.

Our Home Equity Freedom Line of Credit features an introductory rate of 1.99% APR for six months. Members can draw funds, repay and borrow again throughout the draw period for renovations, debt consolidation, education expenses or other financial goals.

We also offer a Member Loyalty Rewards program with exclusive perks.

Lanco Federal Credit Union serves Lancaster County residents with locally focused lending solutions. The lender offers fixed-rate home equity loans and flexible HELOCs with a 10-year interest-only draw period followed by a 15-year repayment period. Qualified borrowers may finance up to 90% loan-to-value.

Key features: • Variable-rate HELOC and fixed-rate options: Choose the structure that fits your financial strategy.

• Introductory rate offers: Competitive promotional rates for flexible borrowing.

• Extensive Pennsylvania network: Large branch and ATM network throughout the state.

financing for homeowners looking to fund renovations, consolidate debt or cover major expenses. The credit union focuses on competitive rates, lower fees and personalized service. Borrowers can choose between a revolving HELOC for ongoing projects or a fixed home equity loan for onetime expenses.

Key features: • Home equity loans and HELOC options: Flexibility to choose the right product.

• Member-focused pricing: Competitive rates and tailored customer service.

• Robust digital banking: Online and mobile banking for convenient account management.

Key features: • Local Lancaster County focus: Personalized service from a communitybased credit union.

• Flexible financing options: Fixed-rate loans and revolving HELOCs available.

• High loan-to-value availability: Financing up to 90% LTV for qualified borrowers.

3. Citadel Credit Union Citadel Credit Union offers home equity

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Finding the Right Lender for Your Financial Goals When comparing credit unions offering HELOC in Lancaster, consider your financial situation, repayment structure and service needs. Each option offers unique advantages to help you leverage your home equity effectively.

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The living area, which essentially is on the second floor of the house, is privy to unsurpassed views of the surrounding woodland and watershed that come courtesy of custom floor-to-ceiling windows. The stone fireplace anchors the open-concept design.

Life

Elevated

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Twenty-five years ago, TONO Group’s founder, D. Hunter Johnson, was conducting business out of his basement office. What began as a boutique architectural firm has since moved its headquarters to West James Street, where a host of complementary services to the design-build process operates under one roof. A custom home, christened Treetops, demonstrates TONO’s collaborative, streamlined and efficient process.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TONO GROUP

T

en years after making its debut, TONO, which is derived from the word “autonomous,” added construction-management services (PROTO, inspired by prototype) to its portfolio. That was soon joined

by Interiors by DECO (from décor). RETRO Development (from retrofit) then joined the fold; it’s charged with reimagining spaces and places that may be abandoned, past their prime or in need of new purposes. Finally, RELO Real Estate rounded out the company. But TONO wasn’t quite finished, as it expanded to West Chester in 2018.

The goal was to create a multi-disciplinary firm whose focus is making the process more streamlined, beginning with the design phase and following through to tasks such as choosing a lamp and the table on which to position it. The aim was to take a client’s vision and make it come to life without the stress of working with a multitude of other contractors and vendors.

TONO became a commonly recognized name 10 years ago, when it put its business philosophy to the test by buying a warehouse on West James Street. TONO carved out a portion of the building for its offices and worked with LeeAnn and Taylor Mason to create the restaurant LUCA, which is sleekly modern in design yet conveys the vibe of an Old World eatery. What had been a nondescript warehouse became a jewel for the West End neighborhood. The project earned a number of accolades, including an Urban Award from the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County.

Earlier this year, the firm celebrated its silver anniversary by inviting clients, partners and community members to tour CrossNet Ministries’ reimagined facility – designed, built and furnished by TONO – that is now located in a 27,000-squarefoot former warehouse in New Holland. Spanning a city block, the facility was designed to function as a welcoming and efficient hub for the variety of services CrossNet provides.

TONO’s projects cover the spectrum – corporate, healthcare, education, commercial, hospitality and residential. Well-known projects include Lititz Shirt Factory (whose owner, Jim Hoffer, says, “TONO struck the right balance between cost consciousness and refined restoration while never compromising the soul of this historic building.”),

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The sleek and modern kitchen features an island with a waterfall counter, a subway-tile backsplash and commercialinspired appliances.

The dining table was custom made from a slab of black walnut.

The island multitasks, as it offers seating on one side and storage and appliances on the other side.

and various offices for Lancaster General Health and Penn Medicine. Other projects have included updating Manheim Pike Veterinary and Lancaster Cupcake. The design of Harvest restaurants is accredited to TONO. A more recent project near Lititz saw a historic farmhouse and barn transformed into an events venue, Kissel Valley Farm. Owner Jay Garber credits the team at TONO for taking his “one-dimensional ideas” and turning them into “three-dimensional reality.”

Treetops The Southern End of Lancaster County is dominated by farms, rolling hills and small towns. The ultra-modern home designed by TONO added a new element to the landscape.

“I grew up in that area, so yes, something very modern is different,” says architect Drew Hohenwarter. But, wait. If you really study Treetops, a very modern version of a classic

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bank barn might pop into your head. After all, like bank barns, the lower floor of the house is dedicated to more utilitarian purposes, while the upper floor caters to modern living. “It is reminiscent of a bank barn in that the entry leads into a living area that appears to be on the second floor,” agrees architect Kyle Solyak, “We prefer to describe it as ‘mountain modern,’” he says.

TONO relished the opportunity to transform the site of a former machining business into a 22-acre retreat. “It was the homeowners’ vision to build a custom home with modern concepts and aesthetics,” says Kyle. “They gave us the freedom to come up with the design.”

The colors of nature resonate throughout the house.

The TONO team gathered at Crossnet Ministries’ new headquarters (designed by TONO) to celebrate the firm’s 25th anniversary. Founder D. Hunter Johnson is front right. Architects for Treetops, Drew Hohenwarter (front left) and Kyle Solyak (back, 6th from left), are also pictured.

The project was not without its challenges. Despite the size of the property, it offered limited amounts of flat areas, which prompted the decision to cantilever the house off a hill.

The challenge ultimately evolved into an advantage in that the wooded hillside that was chosen utilizes southern exposure and maximizes the panoramic views of a watershed. “The intent

was to work with the topography,” says Kyle. Still, according to Drew, the process involved “more than simply situating a home on land that offers a pretty view. Angles of the sun were studied in order to take full advantage of the natural warmth it provides and to eliminate glare and hot spots.”

The name “Treetops” alludes to the fact that situating the living area on the second floor allows the homeowners to enjoy the tree canopy as opposed to the forest floor and tree trunks. Through a design that features a series of cantilevered forms and a mono-pitch roof that rises northward, Treetops becomes a part of the natural world. Kyle points out that the floor-to-ceiling windows (custom built by Marvin Windows) that provide unsurpassed views of the surrounding woodland and water help to further connect the house to the natural world, as well as provide a floating sensation.

Fold-away glass doors blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, resulting in the living and the pool/fire pit areas becoming one. Kyle points out that the large-format tile flooring was carried from the indoors to the outdoors, creating a “seamless transition.”

The fireplace also marries the indoors with the outdoors, as it was designed to utilize the same manufactured stone that is featured on the home’s exterior. “It essentially anchors the indoor living areas,” Kyle notes.

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Credits

The primary bedroom is a retreat unto itself, thanks to natural light, beautiful views, rich wood accents and a fireplace.

• Architect: TONO Architects; Kyle Solyak, AIA, Hunter Johnson, AIA; and Drew Hohenwarter, AIA • Interior Design: Angelique Miller, Interiors by DECO • General Contractor: PROTO Construction • Surveying & Civil Engineer: Rettew • Structural Engineering: Eisenhauer Engineering • Site Excavation: B&N Excavating • Electrical/Tech Provider: RMS • HVAC/Plumbing: Ranck Heating, Cooling & Plumbing • Landscaping: Knustsen Landscaping • Fencing & Gates: Integrous Fences & Decks • Pool System: Goodall Pools & Spas • Concrete Slabs: DSC Concrete • Precast Concrete Foundation Walls: Superior Walls • Wood Framing: Lezzer Lumber • Wood framing/Carpentry: Harrison Greene Carpentry • Dry Wall: First Rate Drywall • Exterior/Interior Stone: Steve Groff Masonry • Siding/Exterior Trim/Metal Roofing: Weaver Construction • Composite/Wood Windows/ Patio Doors: Marvin Windows • Painting: Two Dudes Painting • Metal Elements/Railings: DS Iron • Fireplaces: H2, LLC • Cabinetry/Closet System: 3D Custom Cabinetry • Flooring: Martin’s Flooring For more information about the TONO Group, visit Tonogroup.com.

Opposite, clockwise from top: Treetops stands atop a hill in Southern Lancaster County.

Indoor and outdoor spaces are seemingly one at Treetops.

The home’s bathrooms offer different looks, all of which employ interesting tile treatments.

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Designing and executing a gabionstyle fencing system was a new venture for TONO.

Sustainability was addressed through building materials such as a precast concrete foundation; engineered wood framing; exterior siding created from recycled rice hull that will not rot or decay; and a ground-source geo-thermal heating and cooling system that is paired with a high-efficiency boiler and combination forced air with radiant hydronic heating.

Operable windows pair with the sliding glass doors to create cross ventilation, helping the house stay cool naturally. Roof overhangs and automated shades provide added protection from the weather. The roof is prepped for solar panels. A Lutron lighting system allows for seamless control with the touch of a button.

Indoors, the design hearkens to contemporary living in that the living area is open concept. The kitchen is sleek and modern and features an active wall that provides a pass-through connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The integrated custom table was crafted from a slab of black walnut.

TONO also furnished the home. Because the homeowners are art collectors, TONO helped them hang the art and properly light it.

TONO also fielded a first-time request by the owners that provided them with a unique opportunity. The homeowners

had seen gabion fencing systems in California and expressed an interest in installing them on the property. Often used as retaining walls, the systems, which are made using wire-mesh baskets filled with stones, are durable and eco-friendly. The design team created a fence that is made of galvanized steel baskets that were filled with landscape stone. Composite wood separates the baskets, creating a unique design.

Kyle was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a project that was “new and different and allowed the firm to fully utilize its multi-disciplinary and collaborative philosophy. It’s the avenue we like to go down,” he says. “We love this kind of work; it’s what we do. Treetops is 100% custom, a true one-off.”

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Life“ I ’d

After careers in teaching, technology, brewing and hospitality, not to mention raising three sons, Denise and Bob Harter decided it was time to retire. But the project-loving Harters weren’t ready to sit and watch the cows graze from their front-porch rocking chairs. They’ve been busy remodeling their 19th-century farmhouse … inside and out.

Outdoors

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

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estimate that we spend 80% of our time outdoors,” says Denise, noting that time spent in nature is a year-round phenomenon.

However, much of the property to the rear of their new home left a lot to be desired. Kids and dogs had left their marks. “It was basically a little grass and a lot of weeds. When it rained, it was a muddy mess,” Denise says. The desire for an outdoor

The view includes farmland, pastures and the Welsh Mountains.

Space constraints dictated the size of the outdoor living area at the home of Bob and Denise Harter. Working with Dwight Graybill of Cocalico Builders, they were able to achieve their desire to create a family-friendly entertainment area.

living area moved to the top of their to-do list and they knew who to call, Dwight Graybill of Cocalico Builders. The company, which Dwight acquired in 2004, is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year.

The relationship between Dwight and the Harters extends back to 2019, when the Harters were making plans to expand their Black Forest Brewery in Ephrata, which they launched in 2014 and sold earlier this year. Bob discovered Cocalico Builders via a Google search. Because the proposed brew pub would be located on the grounds of the historic 1777 Americana Inn (a former Doneckers property), which the Harters operated as a bed-and-breakfast, it needed to complement the architecture of the property. Such projects are Dwight’s forte, as three of his remodeling/adaptive reuse projects – the Fichthorn residence near Adamstown, Bear Mill Estate in Denver and a repurposed barn in West Cocalico Township – have won C. Emlen Urban awards from the

Remnants of the Harters’ family business, Black Forest Brewery, were used to decorate the space.

Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. “He just gets it,” says Bob of the direction such projects need to take in order to complement period architecture.

Completed in early 2020, the brew pub was slated to have its grand opening on March 14. “Covid ruined that,” Bob recalls. Because they didn’t qualify for any grants, the Harters had to pivot. “We made it through with honesty, integrity and hard work,” says Denise of surviving the pandemic from an economic standpoint.

Two years ago, they made the decision to retire. They hoped their son, Reese, would take over the business. Instead, he and his wife, Helen, purchased the Fireside Tavern in Strasburg. “They wanted something bigger,” says Denise, noting that the property not only includes dining space but also an events venue. (Bob lends a hand at Fireside when needed.)

So, Black Forest Brewery and the 1777 Americana Inn went on the market. “It took two years to sell it,” Denise reports.

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In the meantime, they began shopping for a new home, which took them east from Ephrata, where the scenery includes the Welsh Mountains and farmland. “We liked living in Ephrata, but being on Main Street, it was noisy,” says Bob. “Here, it’s quiet and peaceful.”

It Will Build Itself Because of space restrictions, the Harters’ outdoor living area would need to incorporate a list of must-haves into a relatively small area, as the backyard is bordered by an addition to the house, a stream and a pasture for grazing cows, who make their way to the property line as the sun sets each evening.

The must-have list included an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace, ample lighting, a comfortable seating area and a television (the Phillies, Eagles and Notre Dame football are must-see TV in this house). “Most of all, it had to be family friendly,” says Bob, noting that a grandson has joined the fold.

Treasured gifts such as this plaque – courtesy of Father John McLoughlin – were also incorporated into the décor.

The space limitation was augmented by another hiccup – a pool was being added to the project, which would dictate the timeframe of both projects.

As with many of his outdoor projects, Dwight came up with a design and then began shopping for materials. One of his sources was able to provide the remnants of a barn that had been razed. “It’s probably 100 years old or more,” he says of the yellow pine beams and other material that were purchased. “In this case, we were looking to connect the look of the new structure with the integrity of the house and even the surrounding farmland. You just don’t walk into a lumberyard and buy new wood – this property is deserving of something that has character connected to it,” he says of the patina old wood delivers, as well as the nail holes and other notchings that define it. “Something modern just would not have looked right,” he says.

The two entities – the pool and structure – are connected

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Barnwood that is more than a century old was used to construct the structure that Dwight designed. The structure satisfied the Harters’ must-have list, including a kitchen, sitting area, ample lighting, and a television for watching Phillies, Eagles and Notre Dame football games.

The stone used in the outdoor structure echoes the stone construction of the original house.

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Credits • Design: Dwight Graybill,

Cocalico Builders, Denver • Build: Cocalico Builders, Ben Graybill, foreman • Barn Wood: Leid’s Reclaimed Wood Paneling & Flooring, Reinholds • Concrete: Steffy Concrete, Reamstown • Electrical Contractor: Ceiling fans help to keep the structure cool and bug-free. Note the notches, discolorations and nail holes that give the wood character.

Fichthorn Electric, Denver

• Plumbing Contractor: The kitchen area includes a sink, grill, smoker and refrigeration.

Dwight and Ben Graybill of Cocalico Builders.

Fox Plumbing, Lititz • Granite Counters: LappTops, New Holland • Pool: Anthony & Sylvan Pools, Lancaster • Stacked Stone:

Lancaster Stone Veneer, New Providence

• Lighting Fixtures:

Amazon

For more information, visit Cocalico-builders.com.

Denise loves the notchings that define the beams.

The Harters’ outdoor living area grew from a pile of barnwood that Dwight purchased from a favorite source.

by concrete that extends across the back of the house and creates a dining area, as well as provides for additional seating.

Denise put her love of decorating to use by outfitting the structure with comfortable furnishings and accessories that range from treasured gifts (including Father John McLoughlin’s wooden plaque that reads “I feel a sin coming on”), mementoes from Black Forest Brewery and fresh flowers from the gardens she has curated.

“We’re content,” says Denise. “We’re enjoying life.” That’s not to say their to-do list is complete. “I want to remodel the kitchen,” says the former home economics teacher (32 years) who also loves to cook. “And I’m thinking of turning Bob’s office into a summer kitchen and ...”

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increased use of clear drop curtains around porches and pavilions to block the cold, wind and rain when needed.

The clear inserts in the curtains block the cold, but not the view,” he notes.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, a holiday celebration or a corporate meeting, BRICK GABLES in Lititz can provide the perfect setting for your event. Let our team help you create an unforgettable event. The iconic barn, with its unique brickwork, soaring ceilings

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and rustic beams will set the scene for your décor. Our in-house catering company, Country Home Catering, will create a menu that will make your event a standout. Beverages can be handled by our certified Bar Services Team. As for other elements, we can help there, as well, as Brick Gables can provide a list of preferred vendors.

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Does your home need some sprucing up before the holidays? If so, stop by GRAUER’S PAINT & DECORATING to see their unique selection of paint, window coverings, wallpaper and other products. Check out our newest location – 136 S. Centerville Road in Lancaster – or any one of our five other locations in Lancaster, Lititz, Mechanicsburg, Carlisle or West Lawn.

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Let KEN’S GARDENS help you welcome the autumn season. Since 1972, Ken’s has been the place to go for mums, asters, flowering kale and everything fall! Did you know that fall is a great time to plant shrubs for next year? Stop at one of our two locations (Smoketown or Intercourse) today for a great selection.

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The Byler Amish of Mifflin County are known for their distinctive yellow buggies.

Uptown & Down and all around

Yellow Buggies and Goose Day Come along with me as I discover both the familiar and the unique as a tourist in Pennsylvania’s other Amish country.

BY MICHAEL C. UPTON

It

is well known that Lancaster County is the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

With approximately 40,500 Amish residents, Lancaster is home to the oldest and largest continuous Old Order Amish and Mennonite settlements in the country.

However, Lancaster is not the only area in the state with Anabaptist (Amish, Mennonite and Hutterites) communities.

With that said, if Lancaster is number one, where is number two? Curiosity got the best of me, so I took a two-and-a-half-hour drive west to find out.

Known as Big Valley, the fertile Kishacoquillas Valley in Mifflin County stretches between long mountain ridges where the Kishacoquillas Creek flows toward the Juniata River. Amish families settled here in 1791, making it the thirdoldest extant Amish settlement in North America. The roads in the valley follow the property lines of large family farms.

Laundry lines string from farmhouses. Old maples and pine trees line the small-town streets. I am not even out of the car, and I am already seeing the similarities between the Big Valley and Lancaster County.

The New Holland Connection I started my visit by stopping at Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society

Museum, where I met Molly Bourg, the walking encyclopedia of all things Big Valley history. After a quick discussion about the different Amish sects in the Big Valley, she led me to a collection of memorabilia in and around a glass-top cabinet.

“Belleville used to have a wonderful business called Hertzler & Zook; then it was sold to New Holland, which of course you’ve heard of,” says Molly. In 1899, Israel Zook Hertzler and Thomas E. Zook established a machine shop specializing in buggy repair. Moving into manufacturing, the company developed a product line of items like corn shellers, water pumps and even small tractors. “They made all kinds of farm equipment,” Molly notes.

In 1942, New Holland – the agribusiness, not the town in eastern Lancaster County – bought Hertzler & Zook and moved many product lines to Belleville, freeing up the New Holland plant in Lancaster County to focus on its bread and butter, the hay baler.

Buggies Pulling into Allensville on my way to the historical society, I made a sudden stop at the Good Ole Cheese House.

Yes, I like cheese, but in the parking lot I spotted an Amish buggy with a yellow roof! I had to get a picture. Here I am, a tourist from the heart of Amish country taking a picture of a buggy!

“The most conservative are the white tops, known as the Nebraska [Amish],” explains Molly. “The most progressive are the Byler, which are the yellow top. The insides of their buggies are just beautiful

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with dashboards and things that pull out.”

In the middle of these Ordnungen are the Peachey/Renno Amish, whose buggies look most like what Lancastrians would expect – all black, no frills and solid. The Nebraska Amish buggies are the simplest of conveyances, barely sided and without a windshield or screening from the elements.

Antiques And Animals Another similarity between Lancaster County and Big Valley is the shop-local experience. The 40,000-square-foot Big Valley Antique Center features nearly 150 vendors on two floors. Artwork hangs on wood-paneled walls and the aisles are wide. The center has everything a picker would expect, especially Penn State memorabilia and furniture from regional makers.

On Wednesdays, the popularity of the Belleville Livestock Auction and Farmers Market spawns flea markets, yard sales and pop-up roadside stands. We shopped at Peight’s Country Store, an Amishowned general store (similar to Good’s Store); tasted one of the state’s bestkept secrets, Allensville Donuts (think Sunnyside Pastries); and got down on the farm with Belle at Hameau Farm (like a boutique Oregon Dairy). Hameau is French for hamlet and is also the name of the famous farm at Versailles, “Hameau de la Reine” (The Queen’s Hamlet), built for Marie Antoinette in 1783.

By the end of the day, the big similarities of Big Valley made me feel at home and like a tourist.

GOOSE DAY: A Revolutionary Tradition When I first heard the words “Goose Day,” I was immediately intrigued. So, I planned my trip to Big Valley around one of Pennsylvania’s oldest – and least-known – traditions.

In 1786, landowner Andrew Pontius was traveling to Lancaster County to hire a tenant farmer for his land in the Juniata River Valley. In Harrisburg, he met Archibald Hunter, a British sailor who jumped ship for freedom in Philadelphia and was working his way west. Impressed, Pontius hired Hunter, with accounts to be settled annually on September 29. The following year, Hunter arrived with the accounts, carrying a goose under his arm. English tradition, he explained, called for eating goose on St. Michaelmas Day, September 29, which is celebrated as the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Archangels and, as is traditional in England, marks the start of autumn. It was also one of four days on the fiscal calendar on which rents were collected, etc. Eating goose is believed to bring good financial luck in the year ahead.

Over time, the custom grew into a community celebration.

TODAY, GOOSE DAY is embraced by nearly every business, organization and resident in the Juniata River Valley. From Boy Scouts to bakeries, restaurants to retailers, the communities of Lewistown, Mifflintown and surrounding boroughs all join the festivities. The celebrations run all weekend. This year's celebrations run September 25 through 29. The List – a highly anticipated guide to events, goose dinners and activities – is released annually on September 1 via Jrvvisitors.com/goose-day.

Two main events kick off the weekend in Lewistown.

Lucky Friday, a lively, mini-street fair fills downtown with vendors, children’s activities and live entertainment. The evening is capped by a massive drone light show.

Saturday became a progressive Goose Day feast for me and my family. We headed over the mountain ridge to Brookmere Winery for brunch and sampled Tears of the Goose, a blush blend (think tinted white Zin) created to complement roast goose. Later, along the boutique- and eatery-lined Main Street, we grabbed a bite at Reedsville Creamery Ice Cream Stand where the Goose Day special was goose poutine – fresh-cut fries, local cheese curds, brown gravy and tender shredded goose. It made me wonder how much goose the valley consumes during the celebration.

“Our restaurants serve around 3,000 roast goose dinners [on September 29]. But that doesn’t include other types of goose meals like goose pizza, goose stew, goose tacos, etc.,” says Buffie Boyer, communications director at the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau.

During our stay, we found ourselves pulling over each time another 3-foot-tall painted goose from The Feathered Frolic appeared beside the road. We located six of the 12 – short of earning a prize. But with 14 pages of events, meals and activities packed into The List, one weekend was never going to be enough. We just have more reasons to come back and … eat goose and hopefully get lucky!

Here and Below: Businesses, organizations and residents all embrace the “Goose Day” tradition that has given way to a weekendlong festival in communities throughout the Juniata River Valley. This year’s events run September 25 through Goose Day, the 29th.

Michael C. Upton is welcomed to Homeau Farm by Belle the cow.

This member of the Feathered Frolic also has a prize egg at his feet!

Left to right: Belleville’s Hertzler & Zook was purchased

by New Holland Machine Company in 1942, prompting the company to move several product lines to Mifflin County.

Goose poutine: fries, cheese curds, brown gravy and shredded goose.

Table for Two Norbu

COMBINING THE FLAVORS OF NEPAL & BHUTAN

BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

Norbu is part of Downtown Lancaster’s vibrant restaurant scene. Specializing in Bhutanese and Nepali cuisine, the restaurant, which opened in May 2021, is tucked into a space along North Christian Street, between Penn Square and Binns Park/Ewell Plaza, prompting owner Sanya Norbu to say, “We’re a hidden gem.”

Prior

to opening Norbu in Lancaster, Sanya and her husband, Tenzin Norbu, operated Himalayan restaurants in Carlisle and New Cumberland. Born and raised in Bhutan, Tenzin’s heritage – his mother is Nepali, while his father is Bhutanese – inspired the restaurants’ menus. As for Sanya, she was born in New York and was raised in Lancaster. Returning to New York to work, she met and married Tenzin. Wanting to start a family and open a restaurant, the couple moved to Lancaster in 2016. “At that time there wasn’t a Nepali restaurant in Lancaster.

We couldn’t find a location that we liked, and an opportunity came up in New Cumberland. So, we opened our first restaurant there,” Sanya explains.

When the North Christian Street space in Lancaster became available, the couple was excited to bring their restaurant here only to have the pandemic delay the opening. Sanya says

they were thrilled to finally open in 2021.

When guests step into Norbu, they’re transported to another place courtesy of its traditional Bhutanese décor. Sanya notes that Tenzin chose the warm and inviting color scheme. Norbu seats about 60, plus there’s a small outdoor space that can accommodate up to 10 people. While seating is mostly tables and a banquette, an area with traditional seating at low tables creates an authentic dining experience.

The menu is built around Tenzin’s family recipes. The couple work with local farmers to source as many ingredients as possible. Rice had been sourced from Bhutan, but according to Sanya, supply chain issues have prompted a switch to jasmine rice.

One of the menu’s more popular items is Datshi – Bhutan’s signature cheese stew. The menu describes Datshi as “a warm, gently spiced stew made with a blend of aged and smoked

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cheeses.” Rich in flavor yet surprisingly light, the dish is finished with garlic, chilies and a choice of hearty or veggie add-ins such as pork shoulder, chicken, shrimp, cauliflower and potatoes.

Sanya reports that the Pak Sha (pork shoulder) and the vegetarian Shamu (shiitake mushroom) are the most traditional Bhutanese variety of Datshi.

For someone not familiar with Bhutanese or Nepali cuisine, Sanya recommends either the Sweet N Sticky (inspired by sweet & sour chicken – choice of chickpea-battered protein fried until golden and tossed in a sticky-sweet tangy glaze) or Kathmandu (chickpeabattered protein fried until golden and topped with fresh citrus slaw).

Staff can also guide guests with menu selections. “Our staff is really well-versed in the menu and the flavors in each dish. Generally, we try to find out the flavors that a guest likes and

Opposite: Tenzin Norbu chose the color scheme for his namesake restaurant whose menu features Nepali and Bhutanse dishes, many of which are based on family recipes.

Menu items include (clockwise from top right): • Kathmandu Fry (protein dipped in seasoned chickpea batter and fried. It’s accompanied by citrus slaw and rice).

• Cauliflower Datshi (cauliflower in a cheese sauce and served with rice).

• Traditional Nepali Dumpling Soup: dumplings and a sesame-garlic-ginger-enhanced tomato broth.

Warm hues, colorful tapestries, plants and other items define the décor at Norbu.

make recommendations based on that,” Sanya notes.

In addition to menu items, Norbu also offers a lunch buffet every Tuesday and Thursday, and a brunch buffet the first Sunday of the month. “We create special items for the buffet with our flavors. It’s an opportunity to be creative, and if an item on the buffet is popular, we’ll offer it as one of our specials,” Sanya explains.

Norbu’s beverage menu includes some traditional items such as Himalayan milk tea, a semi-sweet spiced tea; Himalayan black tea, unsweetened

and spiced with ginger and cardamon; Nepali chai; and Lassi, a yogurt-based drink mixed with fruit. Teas may be served hot or cold.

Norbu does not serve alcoholic beverages, but guests may BYOB (there is no corkage fee).

Desserts include Desi (saffron rice with butter and raisins) and Chugo Mago (fried cheese drenched in honey, butter, sugar and saffron).

Norbu is located at 38 North Christian Street, Lancaster. Lunch hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-

1:45 p.m. Dinner hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 5-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Sunday hours are 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Kitchen closes 30 minutes before restaurant closing.

Take-out available. Reservations are accepted for parties of 5 or more. Reservations are available via email: norbulancaster@gmail.com.

Reservations are not accepted during certain holidays, regardless of party size: check the restaurant’s social media for more info. 717-208-7293, Norbulancaster.netlify.app

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In The Neighborhood ANCHOR LANCASTER

COLUMBIA RE-UZIT SHOP

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Melanie B Scheid has been known and trusted in the local community since 1995. Melanie B. Scheid Funeral Home is conveniently located in Conestoga and Downtown Lancaster. Specialties include prearrangements and unique tributes to your loved ones.

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LANCASTER COUNTY’S BEST KEPT SECRETS TOURS October 8-24, 2026: Forty-four amazing small businesses are ready to WOW you. Enjoy this shopping, food and fun adventure and receive tons of perks (coupons, gifts, discounts, drawings) for shopping small! Tickets are $12 ($1 per ticket sold will be donated to Lighthouse Vocational Services).

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WOLF SANCTUARY OF PA Founded in 1980, Wolf Sanctuary of PA is a nonprofit rescue offering a lifelong home to over 50 displaced wolves and wolfdogs.

Tour the sanctuary to view the wolves in their natural habitat and learn about these mysterious and misunderstood creatures. With your support the wolves continue to thrive.

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

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Neighbors

Cindy Beaston Cindy Beaston in Columbia’s Mt. Bethel Cemetery.

It’s not a stretch to say Cindy Beaston’s favorite movie is Gettysburg. Or that her favorite place to visit is Gettysburg. “We’re over there all the time,” she says, referring to the day trips she and her four-legged bestie, Sallie Anne, take to the hallowed battlefield.

"I

know that place like the back of my hand. I could probably tell you what took place on every inch of that battlefield,” says the self-educated Civil War historian who became infatuated with history as a student at Columbia High School and immersed herself in the Civil War as a result of watching Gettysburg. She also credits a teacher at Hempfield High School, Benjamin Mitchell, who she met through working in the Aquatics Department at the Hempfield recCenter, for encouraging her to explore the subject. Most of all, she is indebted to her late mother, Debbie Torbert Beaston, for encouraging her passion for history.

After graduating, Cindy enrolled at HACC, majoring in World War II Military Studies. “My goal was to work in a museum in Louisiana,” she says. Then, she watched Gettysburg, a movie made in 1993 that starred Martin Sheen as Gen.

Robert E. Lee and Tom Berenger as Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, who led the Army of Northern Virginia, and was opposed to Lee’s plan to engage the Union Army in the North during the summer of 1863, hoping to tap into the agricultural and munitions riches of Pennsylvania and other states. Lee’s plan prevailed and the two sides clashed in Gettysburg, July 1-3.

Because Longstreet’s troops arrived late on July 2 to their stepping off point for the attacks, coupled with the failure of July 3, Longstreet was blamed for the South’s loss at Gettysburg.

Cindy became engrossed in Longstreet’s story and devoted 13 years to researching him. “I went down the rabbit hole,” she says. Her research convinced her that “his honor needs to be restored.”

For her 30th birthday, Cindy received a special gift. “I attended the MidAtlantic Nostalgia Convention in Hunt Valley, Maryland, in order to meet Tom Berenger,” she says. “He was kind of taken by surprise when I told him he’s the reason why I’m a Civil War historian.”

CINDY, WHO IS an animal lover, is also fascinated by another Civil War combatant, Sallie Ann Jarrett. The brindle pit bull was presented to the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in May 1861 by a resident of West Chester.

She became more than a mascot, as she followed the unit into battle. “She was a warrior,” says Cindy, who notes Sallie Ann became separated from her men during Gettysburg and was found a few days later guarding the bodies of her fallen comrades. Sallie Ann met her own demise during fighting at Hatcher’s Run In Virginia (February 6, 1865). Amid the fighting, several members of the infantry laid down their arms in order to provide Sallie Ann with a fitting burial. She is memorialized at the infantry’s monument in Gettysburg.

“You know, I once gave a talk about Sallie Ann at the Columbia library and the place was packed,” Cindy recalls. “It was standing room only and the crowd spilled out into the hall.”

Cindy has her own Sallie Ann, who she named Sallie Anne. “She looks identical to Sallie Ann the Civil War dog,” she reports. “I found her at the Lancaster SPCA. All the shop people in Gettysburg know her. She loves going to Gettysburg.”

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Cindy is also enamored of Elizabeth Van Lew, who resided in Richmond, Virginia, and became a valued spy for the Union. A dedicated abolitionist, Van Lew used her inheritance to free the enslaved people who served her family and finance a ring of spies she formed. One of the spies, a formerly enslaved woman named Mary Bowser, became a “plant” in Jefferson Davis’ home. “This woman deserves a posthumous Presidential Citizens Medal,” says Cindy of Van Lew, who was left destitute and was reviled by residents of Richmond following the war.

A PROUD COLUMBIAN, Cindy took part in the festivities that surrounded Columbia’s 300th anniversary by conducting a history seminar and taking part in the reenactment of the burning of the covered bridge that spanned the Susquehanna. Of that event, which was carried out on June 28, 1863, Cindy explains, “The bridge burners met in a bar and, with the plans already in place, went over what they were to do and then set the plan into motion,” thus keeping Confederate forces from entering Lancaster County.

She also conducts a Civil War Roundtable at the library once a month and regularly takes part in Haunted Lantern Tours, an event held at Mt. Bethel Cemetery in October that is produced by Rivertown Theater Productions and entails a cast of 50 volunteers. The walking tours – this year’s theme is Wright’s Ferry’s Legendaries – explore elements of Columbia’s history. “I’ve played gravediggers and Union soldiers,” Cindy says of her assignments. That’s about as close as she’s come to taking part in reenactments. “I’ve been asked to participate, but they always want to put me in a hooped skirt; I want to carry a musket!” she reports.

As the “spooky season” is fast approaching, Cindy says she has had her share of “close encounters.” “Once, I was in Mt. Bethel and saw what looked like a Union soldier standing at attention by a grave,” she shares. “And, I’ve had so many encounters in Gettysburg, I can’t keep count. I’ve even been ‘shot’ at!”

For information about the Haunted Lantern Tours, visit Columbiahlt.com

– Suzanne Long

Photo: The Premise Studio / JH

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