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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
Rochelle A. Shenk
Michael C. Upton Kathleen Wagner
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jordan Bush
Nick Gould
Kirk Zutell
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22. At Home in 2026
Award-winning Parade of Homes entries and remodeling projects that claimed Pillar Awards showcase what’s trending in design, products/ materials and décor. As you will see, the past is influencing the present, with quirky elements added to make it modern.
34. The Greening of Eurofins
Discover how Eurofins is at the vanguard of redefining the concept and look of corporate landscaping through utilizing native species of plants and trees, anchoring a hillside with a rain garden and installing a riparian forest buffer in an effort to be ecologically responsible where the environment is concerned.
On the Cover
TK Building & Design won a Pillar Award in the Interior Project category for a living-anddining room the company remodeled for clients. The Pillar Awards honor members of the Building Industry Association of Lancaster County in various categories, including remodeling. TK Building & Design photo.
Departments
8. Event-Full
March provides plenty of indoor and outdoor activities as we anxiously await the arrival of spring.
10. Uptown & Down
Michael C. Upton shares all the upcoming events that will be making Pennsylvania a sports-tourism destination this year, starting with the NFL Draft that will be held in Pittsburgh in late April.
40.
Foodographer
Jordan Bush visits Homefields Care Farm in Millersville, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
44.
Table for Two
Rochelle Shenk takes you to Amanita Café, where the farm-to-table menu emphasizes sustainability and local partnerships.
48.
Neighbors
Meet Renita Yahara, who utilizes found or unwanted fabric to create clothing for the organization Dress a Girl Around the World.
Special Advertising Section
14.
& 28. All Things Home
After being cooped up all winter, you are probably brimming with ideas on ways to update your home. The advertisers in this special section are ready to help.
Event-full Marching Into Spring!
March reminds us that while spring may be on our doorstep (it arrives on the 20th), it also lets us know that winter is still hanging in there. The good news is that there are plenty of events on the calendar that will keep us entertained.
Philadelphia Flower Show
February 28-March 8
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Rooted: Origins of American Gardening, the theme of this year’s flower show, honors the fact that gardens aren’t just made; they’re passed down through generations, carried across oceans, lifetimes and lands. The 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show celebrates the stories that ground us in gardening, whether it’s the nostalgia of a grandparent’s garden, a beloved family recipe that begins with the bright scent of freshly picked herbs and vegetables, or the heritage traditions that shape how we plant, grow and gather. Through immersive garden exhibits and stunning floral displays, Rooted: Origins of American Gardening brings to life the personal stories, cultural traditions and horticultural inspiration that connect us to plants, each other, and shape how we garden today. As Philadelphia celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence, the 2026 show offers a chance to reflect on the gardening legacies we’ve inherited and the ones we’re growing for the future, shaped by people and plants from around the world. This year’s show will combine legacy and belonging with breathtaking artistry and largerthan-life creations that will take guests on a journey through a vivid world full of memory and magnificence. The show will offer it all: exhibits, competitions, tours, educational programs, special events and shopping. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. each day, closing at 6 p.m. on March 8. 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia. Information: Phsonline.org
Charter Day
March 8
PA-managed historical sites and museums
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission welcomes residents and visitors to celebrate the Commonwealth’s 344th birthday by visiting museums and historical sites that are operated by the state and where free admission will be in effect. Such sites in the area will include Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum (pictured), Ephrata Cloister, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (all in Lancaster County), Cornwall Iron Furnace (Lebanon County), Daniel Boone Homestead (Berks County) and the State Museum (Harrisburg), where the original charter issued from King Charles II to William Penn will be on view. Information: phmc.pa.gov, as well as the individual websites of museums and historical sites.
Gordonville Mud Sale
March 13-14
Gordonville Fire Company
This is the big one! If you’ve never attended this mud sale, put it on your Must-Do list. It’s something to see and experience. You name it and they probably have it. The quilts are incredible, the food is delish. It’s a perfect way to get a jump-start on spring gardening, outdoor living, etc. Now in its 58th year, the sale offers craft items and books on Friday (4-8 p.m.), with the main sale getting underway Saturday at 8 a.m. Old Leacock Rd., Gordonville. Information: Facebook.com
Stevens & Smith
March 13-15
Gardner Theatre
Celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States and the grand opening of the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy with Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, William L. Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, and a powerful new work celebrating the lives of Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Smith by Lancaster’s own D. Michael Wege. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 2:30 p.m. 725 Hamilton Rd., Lancaster. Information: Lancastersymphony.org
Lancaster County Wood Carvers’ Show
March 14-15
Millersville University
Lancaster County Wood Carvers is celebrating the 51st anniversary of its show in which vendors, sister clubs and artists will be participating. This year’s featured carver is Ken Kuhar, who began carving 20 years ago and is now president of the organization. The show will also feature demonstrations, lectures, a silent auction, door prizes, competitions and more. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Student Memorial Center, 108 Shenks Lane, Millersville. Information: lancarvers.com
Joshua
March 14 thru December 31
Sight & Sound Theatres
Easter Bunny
Hop Express
March 27-April 4
Stone Gables Estate
Ride the new railroad extension on a hippity-hoppity
narrated train excursion through the center of Stone Gables Estate aboard the Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad. On board the train, children will receive a special surprise visit as it traverses into a fully decorated train shed amassed with Easter characters, displays and Bunnyland. Times vary. 1160 N. Market St., Elizabethtown. Information: Stonegablesestate.com
Rails & Ales
March 28
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Now in its ninth year, the annual craft beer-tasting event is held among the world-class collection of historic trains inside the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s 100,000 square foot Rolling Stock Hall. The event features craft breweries and food vendors (separate charge for food vendors). VIP hour begins at 5:30 p.m., General Admission begins at 6:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21+ and present a current ID for entry. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. 300 Gap Rd., Strasburg. Information: RRmuseumpa.org
Sight & Sound’s newest original production takes you from the banks of the Jordan River to the towering walls of Jericho. Journey alongside the people of Israel as they navigate their new-found freedom in an unforgiving wilderness. When Joshua is called to replace Moses as their faithful leader, tensions mount amid dwindling supplies and approaching armies. With one last fortified city standing between the Israelites and the Promised Land, unexpected help emerges from behind enemy lines and Joshua’s trust in God’s plan is put to the ultimate test. Times vary. 300 Hartman Bridge Rd., Ronks. Information: Sight-sound.com
Uptown & Down and all around
SPORTS TOURISM’S GREATEST HITS COMING TO PA
BY MICHAEL C. UPTON
Millions of sports fans are planning their Great American Getaway to Pennsylvania. Why? In 2026, the state will host the NFL Draft, the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championship and FIFA World Cup matches, making it a “historic” year for sports tourism in the Keystone State.
More than just visiting a city for an away game, sports tourism – how people vacation around their fandom – is the fastest-growing sector of global tourism according to The Institutional Relations and Partnerships Department of the United Nations. Ten percent of the world’s tourism dollars are spent by
folks travelling as fans or spectators for sporting events.
Put me in that percentage. I have travelled to national parks in search of sports history, toured the locker rooms of professional football teams, and found excuses to root for the home team in faraway places.
TOUCHDOWNS
“Do not step on the logo,” said Dan Rooney, director of business development and strategy for the Pittsburgh Steelers, while we stood in the Steelers’ locker room before the start of the 2025 season. I did not divulge I was a Cleveland Browns fan nor how tempted I was to defy him. But Rooney was a great host and respect won out. After all, I was lucky to score a tour of the Steelers facility while
in town to cover the U.S. Open golf championship at Oakmont Country Club.
After the facility tour, personnel from VisitPITTSBURGH led the group of writers down North Shore Drive, where a new countdown clock stood, ticking the days away until the city hosts the NFL Draft, which is being held April 23-25. The destination marketing organization expects 500,000 to 700,000 fans to descend on the Steel City for the event. “Pittsburgh is officially on the clock,” said Jerad Bachar, president & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “The community’s enthusiasm for the event has been infectious.”
Details: VisitPITTSBURGH.com
Even a fan of the lowly Browns can get excited for an NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Making pilgrimages to the hallowed grounds of NFL history was nothing new
The Sand Lot Kid statue by sculptor Victor Salvatore welcomes baseball fans to Cooperstown, New York.
to me. When I visited Wisconsin in 2023, touring Lambeau Field was high on my To-Do list. It is an amazing feeling to walk into a stadium (even in the offseason) with such deep and historic roots. I learned several things – the grass is not to be stepped on by visitors, and Green Bay is a place I would easily call home if the opportunity arose. This brief stop on a long tour of the Midwest introduced me to a hardworking city busting out of its industrial shell to embrace a tech-savvy future with a standard of living high above other places I have visited. Just think, maybe I could become one of 500,000 shareholders who own the Packers!
HOMERUNS
I love to travel for baseball. Hot Springs, Arkansas, has seen me twice enjoying their ties to the early game and Babe Ruth. (FYI: the Sultan of Swing visited Lancaster County in the fall of 1919 as part of a Boston Red Sox exhibition game held at what was Klein’s Athletic Field in Elizabethtown. The Sox lost to the chocolate company’s semi-pro team. The event is recalled each Christmas season by The Train Guys’ set-up in the basement of the Elizabethtown Public Library.)
I attended the Whoopie Pie Game in Portland, Maine, when Reading’s Fightin Phils played the Seadogs. Last fall the family took a long weekend to Cooperstown, New York; here, the game can be the center of a vacation with a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame, or part of a stay at the legendary Otesaga Resort, where you can enjoy a quaint, lakeside town filled with eateries, shops and outdoor activities.
A few years ago, I caught three baseball games at three different stadiums in three days. Home stands for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Washington (PA) Wild Things, and the Altoona Curve all happened to coincide, so I packed the family into the car and headed west. Tickets to Pirates games are generally easy to get. And the Curve game at Peoples Natural Gas Field (the only baseball stadium in the USA to have a roller coaster as a backdrop) welcomed the Fightin Phils (the highlight here, beyond a Reading win,
The Holy Grail of stadiums: Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers.
Super Bowl trophies on display at Lambeau Field.
The clock in Pittsburgh is counting down the days until the NFL Draft is held in Steel City.
Homage is paid to the legendary Reggie White at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame & Museum at Lambeau Field.
“This is T. J. Watt’s locker!”
Maine
was the awesome entrance by the legendary mascot Al Tuna).
But the most spirited baseball I have ever seen took place in Washington County, when the Wild Things of the Frontier League eked out a win by swinging at nearly everything, stealing every base possible (including home!), and making Sports Center-worthy defensive plays. We would all attend another Wild Things game in a heartbeat! Now, if I could just get into one of those Savannah Bananas games.
The jaunt to western PA allowed us to ride part of the Montour Trail with Tandem Connection bikes, learn about the Whiskey Rebellion at the Bradford House Museum in Washington, PA, and taste a few brews at Rusty Gold Brewing in Canonsburg. We may never have visited this area without the draw of a ballgame.
THIS SUMMER, Philadelphia will welcome baseball fans for the MLB AllStar Game on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park. An entire week of city-wide fan interaction will feature a concert by The Roots, appearances by Phillies legends, fan experiences and historic tie-ins with America’s 250th celebration. Just an FYI: editor Sue Long highly recommends taking in the Home Run Derby. “It’s probably the coolest sporting event I’ve ever attended,” she says of the derby, having attended in 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Bryce Harper, still a Nat at the time, won that year’s derby.) “You get to see all the players on the two teams plus the atmosphere is electric.” She also recommends getting seats that are high up … better to see the balls fly across the night sky.
Details: Visitpa.com/2026/mlb-all-star
Clockwise from top left: Hot Springs, Arkansas, has ties to the earliest days of baseball.
A trip to western PA allowed the Upton family to take in three baseball games over the course of three days.
The lineup for the Reading Fightin Phils and the Portland Seadogs game. Notice a familiar name? Alec Bohm, now the Phillies’ third baseman, played in the game.
insists on laying claim to being the origins of the whoopie pie. The Portland Seadogs host the annual Whoopie Pie Game.
Bryce Harper jerseys were widely seen at the MLB Fan Experience, when D.C. hosted the All-Star Game in 2018.
GOOOAAALLLS!
My participation in soccer as a kid made me a World Cup and Premiere League fan, which led to my first taste of sports tourism in 1997, when I visited France and the country was gearing up for the World Cup. I bought a souvenir hat, which I still wear on special occasions.
The opportunity to grab some more souvenirs and be swept up in the excitement of the FIFA World Cup comes closer to home this year. Philadelphia will host six international matches, with the hot ticket coming on July 4 with a Round of 16 game. The big
names coming to Philly include Brazil, Croatia and France. I will be at some of these games, so make sure to follow on social media!
Details: Phillyfwc26.com
TEE TIME
Golf fans will want to head for the Aronimink Golf Club in Newton Square for the PGA Championship being held May 11-17. It marks the first time in over 60 years that the tourney is being held in the region.
Details: Visitpa.com
Speaking of golf, Lancastrians do not need much of a primer on the importance of sports tourism after having twice hosted the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club. Discover Lancaster is engaging in marketing and public relations initiatives to hopefully draw some sports tourists in Philly this way.
Director of Communications Joel Cliff goes on to note that youth sports tournaments provide quite a lot of visitation for our area, with Spooky Nook Sports leading the way. Sue shares a funny story related to that. Driving to North Carolina, she happened to tune into Tony Kornheiser’s D.C.-based sports-radio show just in time to hear a caller ask Tony if he’s ever heard of a place in Pennsylvania called Spooky Nook, as his kid had a basketball tournament in what he perceived to be “the middle of nowhere.” Tony happened to be knowledgeable about Spooky Nook, assuring the caller the facility is legit and even provided his dining recommendations for Lancaster.
NOTE: For Michael’s take on the World of Little League Museum in Williamsport, PA, check out “Nights for a Museum” in the October 2021 issue or learn how to pregame with Cylo in the August 2021 issue. Visit Lancastercountymag.com.
Michael and Teagan Upton meet Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench at the annual Hot Springs (Arkansas) Baseball Weekend.
The PGA Championship is coming to Aronimink Golf Club in May.
FIFA World Cup games will be contested in Philadelphia this summer.
All-Things HOME HOME HOME HOME
From seeds and plants to pots and tools, KEN’S GARDENS has everything you need to create a beautiful garden. Welcome spring with their gorgeous pansies. If you prefer to garden indoors, their selection of houseplants is top notch! A full slate of workshops is offered for DIYers. Visit their two garden centers in Smoketown and Intercourse and see why Ken’s has been a Lancaster County favorite for over 50 years. If you’re in Downtown Lancaster, don’t miss their sister store, Gallery Grow, on North Queen Street.
INTERIORS HOME has been offering quality furniture and FREE design services since 1969. We are family owned, with three convenient locations to serve you in Lancaster, Camp Hill and York. Be sure to scan the QR code in our ad and check out “Inspired Spaces” to book your free design appointment.
Special Advertising Section
CHOICE HOME REMODELING
is your trusted design/build partner for all home remodeling needs. With more than 30 years of industry expertise, Choice offers a wide range of services for
kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors and customizable storage spaces. Choice is excited to unveil a new 12,000 sq. ft. Kitchen and Bath Showroom this spring. The new facility at 550 E. Main Street in New Holland will open to the
public on April 18. Whether you’re updating a single window or undertaking a full remodel, Choice Home Remodeling is the one stop destination for the experience and craftsmanship to bring your dream home to life.
Revitalize your windows with PHILLIPS PAINT & DECORATING CENTER ! Whether it’s energy-efficient blinds, custom draperies or cutting-edge automated shades, Phillips has the solutions to enhance your space. Trust their experts for precise measurements and seamless installations, ensuring years of trouble-free service.
Experience the products firsthand at their showroom, where full-size displays allow you to envision the perfect look for your home. From stylish shades to luxurious window treatments, let Phillips Paint & Decorating Center transform your windows and make you fall in love with your home again.
Visit today and discover the latest in window décor for maximum convenience and energy efficiency!
Sonnette® Cellular Roller Shades
Combine the simplicity of roller shades with insulating cellular fabric for year-round energy savings.
• Serving Lancaster County Since 1975
• More Durable Than Retractable Awnings
• Protect Your Furniture
• Save Up To 33% In Energy
• Powder Coated Frames
KREIDER’S CANVAS SERVICE ,
Inc . has been installing awnings in Lancaster County for 50 years. Leslie Kreider shares that Kreider’s Canvas offers an option that makes outdoor areas more useful and comfortable. “We developed a ‘Roof Vent System’ that can be used on the flat back wall of a deck or patio canopy. This increased venting area provides more air flow and minimizes trapped hot air,” Leslie says.
What’s trending? “There has been an 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,” Leslie notes.
KBE DESIGN & BUILD (formerly Kitchens by Eileen) has over 25 years of superior, award-winning design and construction experience. Each renovation and new home build is carefully handled by their expert designers who specialize in space planning and design. Their project management team handles your job all the way to completion, giving you peace of mind from start to finish.
KBE Process:
1. Schedule a free consultation in their showroom.
2. Designer measures your space and designs floorplans for you to choose from.
3. Designer guides you through the selections process.
4. Project managers oversee your renovation from start to finish.
KBE also offers an option for those who want the look and convenience of a custom closet without paying a sky-high price. Their patented system, VICTORY CLOSETS , allows you to reconfigure your closet any time without tools, fasteners or support pins. Simply lift and move! Visit Kitchens by Eileen and Victory Closets’ new showroom, located at 4224 Oregon Pike in Brownstown (next to Martin Appliance).
LIFE IS BUILTwith
Established in 1953, METZLER HOME BUILDERS is now a fourthgeneration company celebrating over 70 years in business. The Metzler family and team believe in valuing and investing in relationships with our clients, as they have placed their homes in our care. We equally value investing in all our business relationships, including our subcontractors, suppliers, realtors, inspectors, municipal officials and other trade partners.
We strive to invest in relationships at every level of our business. Our desire is to create a family atmosphere in which everyone truly enjoys working with and for Metzler Home Builders.
GR MITCHELL has been Lancaster’s local go-to for home maintenance and remodeling for more than 50 years. With over 50,000 items stocked in the aisles of their hardware store,
gardeners, grillers and diy’ers alike are prepared to take on any task. But if you’re undertaking a larger remodel, GR Mitchell has you covered with a huge assortment of windows and doors, beautiful cabinetry with in-house designers ready to help, the best prices on in-stock decking and railing, and much more. Learn more about Lancaster’s favorite buildingmaterial supplier by visiting either their Willow Street or Lancaster locations or online at GRMitchell.com.
...section continues on page 29
-Doors & Windows-
-Cabinetry & Countertops-
-Lancaster’s BEST Decking & Railing Center-
-Hardware, Grills & Gardening-
LANCASTER’S local CHOICE FOR ALL THINGS HOME
For over 55 years, GR Mitchell has helped builders, remodelers, and homeowners bring projects to life. As a locally owned building material supplier and hardware store, GR Mitchell provides the service, expertise, and customization big box stores can’t match. With over 50,000 items in stock and access to custom products, finding the right solution is easy. Their Willow Street location features a showroom of windows, doors, trim, cabinetry, and an extensive hardware store for every need—backed by knowledgeable staff ready to help. Specializing in decking and railing, Ironstone Building Materials serves as GR Mitchell’s Hempland Road location, stocking the styles you want at an unbeatable value. Shop Ironstone’s inventory, including closeout deals, at BuildingMaterialsPA.com.
AT HOME IN 2026 PAST-PRESENT & Maybe a Little Quirky
BY SUE LONG | COPY POINTS & PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Are you tired of gray and white everything? Do you find minimalism boring? If so, there’s good news! A shift is taking place in the world of all things home. As is often the case, the past is influencing the present.
Significant events prompt us to pause and consider where we’ve been and where we are going. This year is one such moment in time. You might even describe it as momentous. America is celebrating its 250th birthday!
Such occasions inspire philosophical shifts that even extend to the manner in which we live. For example, thanks in great part to the pandemic, we’ve come to value the meaning of “home” even more. The pandemic taught us to view our homes as shelters from the stresses
we deal with on a daily basis. Home became the place to gather with family and friends, engage in creative projects and commune with nature. That sentiment continues. New builds are incorporating the latest products the market has to offer. Remodeling has never been more in demand. The hesitancy of doing anything that affects resale value has been replaced by an attitude of it will make me happy so I’m doing it.
With all that said, it seems as if the concept of home is now being driven by
words like tradition and heritage. No, Early American furniture is not back in style, but traditional, mid-century modern and Art Deco are. Wood is back and is once again defining cabinetry, furnishings and millwork. This time around, warm and medium tones are favored, making white oak, walnut, elm, hickory and cherry the woods of choice. Classic millwork is taking rooms in a direction that speaks of tradition yet delivers the cocooning effect we desire. Color is back in a big way. Warm, earthy colors such as terra cotta, sage,
antiques, vintage and retro. They are finding that such items are keys to developing a personal style.
Speaking of style, a wise person once explained to me that style is forever, while fashion is fickle. That might explain the resurgence in popularity of two octogenarians. I’m referring to Ralph Lauren (86) and Martha Stewart (84). This past holiday season, the cozy and comforting Ralph Lauren Christmas look took America by storm. February further provided evidence that the Lauren style still reigns supreme, as the company designed the Olympic uniforms for the American delegation to Milan. As for Martha Stewart, the re-release of her tome, Entertaining, has younger generations lining up at book-signing events and re-creating tablescapes and dinner menus from the book. Yes, they are now gladly accepting grandma’s china, crystal and silver. Thrift shops have become their happy hunting grounds.
Finally, for those of you who love stuff, you’ll be happy to know that maximalism is back in vogue. So, pull out objects that have meaning, mix your favorite styles, display your collections and books, pile on texture, and paint the walls a joyful (or dramatic) color. Add some quirky or even weird elements that define your personality to a space. After all, it’s your home. Make it your own.
AS SEEN LOCALLY
The Building Industry Association of Lancaster County is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year!
olive green, dusky blues and muted pastels are bringing new life to spaces. Warm beiges have thrown stark whites to the curb. Green is now perceived as the new neutral. As for yellow, it’s lost its sunny disposition and has taken a more dramatic direction thanks to hues such as ochre, mustard and honey.
We’ve also become more cognizant of sustainability. The idea of “investing” in throw-away or fast furnishings is so yesterday. The younger generations have developed an appreciation for the ultimate examples of sustainability:
No doubt, the event the public most associates the BIA with is the Parade of Homes, which has been showcasing the best and latest designs and trends in new construction and remodeling for the last 30-plus years. (This year’s dates are June 13-14 and 17-21). The BIA membership also is composed of remodeling professionals whose work is celebrated each November with the Pillar Awards.
The project seen here and on the cover entailed a beautifully sized space with untapped potential, as well as a vision rooted in character and style. While TK Building & Design’s clients weren’t sure of every detail, they had two clear requests: a place to showcase their books and artwork, and a design that harkens to mid-century-modern style.
The company’s designer for the project, Amy Sensenig, CKBD, responded to the clients’ requests with a striking custom-built bookcase that spans a wall in the living area, complete with a rolling ladder that adds the charm of a personal library. In the dining room, two symmetrical built-ins now frame a widened opening, enhancing both form and function. A previously uninspired wet bar was fully reimagined to elevate its usability and visual appeal. Amy is finding that clients are interested in creating getaway spaces in their homes.
“I am finding that clients do desire more dedicated rooms and spaces versus a full open-concept floor plan,” she says. “It allows for easier furniture placement, as well as provides a space that can be multifunctional as life changes happen.”
Throughout the space, elegant wall molding was added to bring architectural depth and continuity to the space. Finally, the room was drenched in a rich, saturated hue for a dramatic, moody ambiance that perfectly echoes mid-century influences. Again, Amy has noticed a style shift among clients. “We have been seeing a lot of interest in staining versus painting. It’s a timeless look, and allowing the wood to shine will always be an impressive design feature,” she comments. She notes that the addition of custom millwork in spaces such as powder rooms, dining rooms and even bedrooms will take them to a new level of quiet luxury.
With a flexible budget based on outcome rather than limits, the final result is a highly personalized, cohesive space that merges style and purpose with exceptional craftsmanship.
On Trend:
Quiet Drama; Personal Space; Wood Tones; Green; Warm Color
What follows are examples of ontrend, award-winning projects from last year’s Parade of Homes and Pillar Awards. For more information, visit Lancasterbuilders.org Pillar Award, Interior Project: TK BUILDING & DESIGN
Information: Tkbuilddesign.com
Pillar Award, Kitchen Remodel: INVISION DESIGNS
Working exclusively on the design, Invision transformed a dark and dated kitchen into a bright, open and highly functional heart of the home, all the while it honored the traditional character seen throughout the rest of the house. The homeowners wanted better flow, more prep space and a layout that could support their love of entertaining. Above all, they wanted a “WOW” moment – a space that felt both elevated and welcoming from the moment you walked in.
Working closely with the custom cabinet maker, Alliance Custom Cabinetry, Invision reimagined the layout, selecting all materials and finishes, and sourcing lighting, plumbing fixtures, countertops and décor. Construction and execution were carried out by D&B Elite Custom.
One of the most impactful changes was the removal of the peninsula, original island and corner pantry, which had previously confined the space. This opened the kitchen up for a dramatic
central island and a statement hood wall, creating both a better flow and a strong visual focal point.
To increase natural light, Invision proposed enlarging the sink window in both height and width, returning the countertop into the sill for a seamless transition. A wood-stained window frame was chosen to echo the warmth of the existing Brazilian cherry floors and balance the tall cherry-stained cabinetry across the room.
Material selections were made to strike a balance between refinement and warmth. The island is topped with leathered Taj Mahal quartzite, while the perimeter features a timeless marblelook quartz carried up as a full-height backsplash.
Cabinetry was designed in a mix of painted and stained cherry finishes. According to Invision’s lead interior designer, Amanda Voloshin, “We are seeing increased interest in warm wood-stained cabinetry again. We often suggest mixing paint and warm wood tones if the kitchen has a wood floor, especially if it’s a ‘busy’ one with multiple colors like Brazilian cherry
that’s in the kitchen seen here.” Satin brass accents complement the floating shelves and custom hood, while satin bronze lighting and fixtures add a polished, classic finish. Thoughtful and clever storage solutions are integrated throughout: pullout organizers for spices, trays and cookware; a hiddenpanel dishwasher; pop-up outlets; and a vertical-lift appliance garage that keeps the counters clear.
The result is a kitchen that’s as hardworking as it is beautiful. This space is a layered composition of old and new, restraint and statement, utility and elegance. It reflects the homeowners’ lifestyle and vision while remaining true to the architectural soul of their home.
On Trend:
Remodeling; Light-filled Spaces; Home Entertaining; Mix of Wood & Paint; Traditional
Information: Invisiondesigers.com
Pillar Award, Whole House Remodel: METZLER HOME BUILDERS
The multigenerational family had considered moving, but soon discovered that finding a home with enough space to accommodate two households is not an easy task. In a nutshell, they required a home with an in-law suite and seven (or more) bedrooms. Instead of searching for a new home, they began looking at the possibilities their current home offered.
Meeting with Metzler’s additionand-renovation team to discuss options for expanding their current home, the potential clients also expressed interest in having the company create a shared laundry, a large mudroom, a finished basement and outdoor living area. The To-Do list also included a renovated kitchen and pantry. According to Tim Zehr, Metzler’s addition and renovation advisor, “The mud room and pantry were significant focuses for these clients.” As a result, details such as cabinet doors that you push open to enter the hidden pantry and receptacles at each cubby in the mud room to charge devices figured into the spaces.
Through working with clients, Tim finds that while many voice a need for organization, “it is not on the top of their priority list. Instead, we will often
hear that they want ‘enough’ space for organization, with the focus being on maximizing closets, basements and garages. We then need to tease out their hope for ‘enough.’ In this particular project, it was providing each one of the children with a cubby and having the parents share a larger one.”
The finished home integrates nine bedrooms, four bathrooms, two half baths, two kitchens and supporting spaces in 5,200 square feet of interior living space. A large outdoor living space more than accommodates the home’s
12 occupants, as well as guests.
After completing the project, the Metzler team realized that while the finished project is defined by craftsmanship, its “true beauty is revealed in the love and blessings shared among the generations who call it home.”
On Trend:
Remodeling; Multi-Generational Living; Organization
2025 Parade of Homes, Fulton Bank Award Winner for Single Family Home, EG STOLTZFUS CUSTOM HOME & REMODELING
Once considered a luxury, custom dog-washing stations have become more mainstream. In fact, the demand for such amenities is
reflected throughout the industry, as pet-friendliness now extends to high-performance fabrics, high-tech containment systems and tracking devices, wearables and interior design (feeding systems integrated into kitchen islands, etc.). Stephanie Tirado, EG’s marketing and product manager, relayed via an email that the design team does engage in conversations around pets. “I would say it is not an
overwhelming number, but some details come up, including discussions about a place for feeding bowls, and having a tub or shower for washing pets outside of a dedicated station. A custom home we recently finished included a separate doggy-door entrance built into the wall so the dogs have free-range access to the backyard.” The needs of cats are also taken into consideration, as Stephanie reports, “During the design phase of one of our recent homes, we pivoted to using some of the primary closet to create a cat room, complete with an opening in the door.”
WHETHER YOU VIEW dog-washing stations as a luxury or a necessity, they can make pet care a more positive experience, as they allow pets and their humans to enjoy the process instead of dreading it. Such a space has its perks, as it can reduce stress (it’s not fun to try to wrangle a dog into a bathtub and some dogs go into fight-or-flight mode as they are led to the bathroom); can eliminate falls (due to a slippery floor); and keep back issues at bay (no more bending over). It also eliminates the need to deep clean your bathroom once bath time is over (how did fur get on the ceiling!). Often a part of a mudroom or laundry, the stations are increasingly being outfitted with storage areas for leashes and coats, bathing needs, toys, etc. As a result, such areas are now perceived as being practical, convenient, safe and cleanlier for all family members.
EG Stoltzfus’ award-winning entry in last year’s Parade of Homes had such a space. Sleek in design (black tile with gold plumbing fixtures), it provides a quiet getaway to bathe and groom the family dog. It also was designed to help pet parents stay organized; overhead shelving provides easy access to bathing supplies. A refrigerator was added to the space for storing fresh pet food.
On Trend:
Parade of Homes, Single Family, Division 3 Best of Show Winner, PINE
HILL BUILDING CO.
Pine Hill deemed its Parade entry as an example of “Livable Luxury,” due to the “refined yet welcoming atmosphere” it exudes. The house also demonstrates something the pandemic taught us: togetherness goes just so far; sometimes we crave a little me-time. According to Pine Hill’s sales manager, Nicole Enck, “We are finding that a lot of our customers are seeking that fifth bedroom to use now as a play room and more as a guest room as their children grow, or even for potential in-law quarters, which we find is getting mentioned more and more often.”
While the living spaces in Pine Hill’s Parade home – living and dining rooms and kitchen – are open concept, the first floor offers two potential flex spaces. One was set up as an office and features a 10-foot ceiling, an oversized window that admits lots of natural light and a wall comprised of specialty millwork. In addition to an office, it could easily function as a quiet sitting room, a man cave, a library or even a formal dining room. The other firstfloor flex space, which included a connection to a full bath, could conceivably serve as a play area, guest suite, an office, yoga room, hobby area, small media room, library, sitting room … the possibilities are endless.
On Trend:
A Degree of Separation; Flex Spaces; Livable Luxury; Specialty Millwork
Information: Phbchomes.com
Parade of Homes, Townhome/Duplex, Division 1 Best of Show Winner, LANDMARK HOMES
Landmark’s Parade entry showcased one of the most popular lifestyles to emerge in the 21st century: 55+ communities. Again, this entry demonstrated our desire to come together but have some degree of separation. In this case, the great room is separated from the kitchen and dining area by a wide alcove. Amenities such as a gas fireplace with stone surround, a wood-beamed cathedral ceiling, luxury vinyl plank flooring and plenty of windows make this space ideal for everything from entertaining friends on a Friday night to relaxing a Sunday afternoon away.
On Trend:
55+; Not-so-open Concept; Quiet Luxury; One Floor Living
Information: Ownalandmark.com
SATURDAY,
9am-3pm
SATURDAY,
WHEN:
In 1954, the late George Grove Sr. founded what is now known as GEORGE J. GROVE & SON, INC. The family-owned business, now in its third generation, is built on a firm belief in quality products and installation, as well as maintaining professionalism, integrity and fairness in their relationships with their customers. George J. Grove & Son, Inc. provides all types of home improvements. Their product lines include windows and doors, roofing, vinyl siding, spouting, gutter protection systems and patio enclosures. They also carry skylights, shutters, railings and retractable fabric and metal awnings.
Expert Comfort Solutions Expert Comfort Solutions
JK Mechanical is a family-owned company serving our community since 1979. Now under the leadership of second-generation owner Chris Leaman, JK Mechanical has grown to provide fullservice electrical and plumbing departments in addition to HVAC service, installation, and design for commercial and residential properties. Contact us today or visit us online to learn more about how we can help keep you comfortable all year round.
JK MECHANICAL has been Lancaster’s leader in Geothermal Heating and Cooling solutions since 1989. With current incentives, homeowners, business owners and nonprofit organizations can receive a 30% Federal Tax Credit on eligible Geothermal Heat Pump installations with an average of 50% savings on heating and cooling costs. Contact JK
Mechanical today to request your free, no-pressure site assessment and payback evaluation with one of their experienced Comfort Consultants.
Since our founding in 1974, LANCASTER ASPHALT SYSTEMS, INC . has remained family-owned and operated. Central PA business owners, municipal leaders, school districts and homeowners have relied on
our team’s experience for quality sealcoating, athletic surfaces, power sweeping and line painting services that are completed with quality materials and expert technique. We provide onsite evaluation of your needs and turn around quotes within 24-48 hours. Estimates are always free and reflect an honest assessment of the work needed. We strive to build long-term relationships with our customers. Call 717-626-8788 or visit lancasterasphalt.com
KEYSTONE GUN-KRETE, LLC specializes in lifting sunken concrete slabs of all sizes. Owner Richie Zook says, “If you’re looking at a sunken pool deck, patio, or a section of sidewalk at your home or business, the cost savings to have it lifted instead of replaced can be huge. Plus, it’s done in hours instead of days and without the mess.” Keystone Gun-Krete simply drills small holes through the slab and injects their expanding foam below to raise the concrete back to its original location. The holes are then filled with mortar, so the concrete is ready for foot traffic immediately.
Since 1932, L.H. BRUBAKER APPLIANCES AND WATER TREATMENT has dedicated itself to providing excellent customer service and a knowledgeable staff. The third-generation, family-owned business offers the most extensive selection in the tri-state area. L.H. Brubaker has become your onestop shopping experience featuring appliances and water treatment systems. Pair that with competitive pricing, service, delivery and installation, and you’ll understand why they have been in business for over 90 years. Check out one of their three locations: 340 Strasburg Pike, Lancaster; 2084 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster; and 5303 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg.
L.H. Brubaker looks forward to seeing you soon!
TROUT CPA , an accounting firm with offices in Lancaster and Mechanicsburg, PA, provides personalized tax, financial statement and business advisory services. In addition to traditional accounting services, they also offer Outsourced Accounting and other business solutions.
Trout CPA consists of experts with various specialties, which allows them to pair each client with the best team of professionals to meet their unique needs. To learn how Trout CPA can help with your specific needs, call 717-569-2900 or scan the QR code to visit their website.
The Greening
Looking south
If the pandemic taught us anything, it is the fact that connecting to nature is a vital component of our physical and mental wellbeing. As a result, we’ve embraced the outdoors and, from an architectural perspective, are making strides in connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. Work spaces are also reflecting the benefits of bonding with the natural world, and nowhere is that more evident than at Eurofins in Lancaster.
BY SUE LONG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN BUSH
Whowould have guessed that a small block building along Route 23 in Lancaster would have an impact on the world? In 1961, Dr. Earl Hess launched Lancaster Laboratories with the goal of providing a top-notch testing facility for the area’s agricultural industry. Since then, the company, which initially had three employees, has merged with larger companies, adding environmental, food, clinical, medical device and biopharmaceutical testing to its services.
Fifteen years ago, the company was acquired by Belgium-based Eurofins Scientific S.E. Ironically, Eurofins, which was founded in 1987, also began with a workforce of three employees and one laboratory. The company’s focus was also initially related to agriculture, i.e. wine, in that that the goal (per Eurofins’ website), was “to market a patented analytical method used to verify the origin and purity of several types of food and beverages and identify sophisticated fraud not detectable by other methods.”
What a difference nearly 40 years make. Today, Eurofins is a leading provider of testing and analytical services, boasting an international network of more than 950-plus laboratories in 60 countries, equating to more than 65,000 employees, a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods and more than 450 million tests performed annually.
Lancaster Labs’ original 2,500 square-foot block building has grown significantly over the years with the addition of multiple modern, multi-story structures. The now-57-acre campus has also expanded across Route 23; the latest additions being a five-story office and
campus in
According to Christina Leslie, in going “green,” one must be accepting of the “wild look.”
laboratory building (2019), followed by a multi-level parking garage. Eurofins’ future was unveiled in December, when Gov. Josh Shapiro and other state officials visited the company’s Lancaster site to announce that the campus will grow once more with the addition of a new 300,000 square-foot testing facility, which is projected to add 250 jobs to the just under 3,000 that already exist by the end of the decade. The new building will be the largest such facility within the Eurofins’ network.
Beyond the Buildings
What sets the Eurofins campus apart is its emphasis on sustainability and making green living (or in this case, working) an integral part of the
corporate environment. Because the Lancaster campus is owned by Eurofins, it has been much easier to implement the green and blue infrastructures that continue to grow and evolve.
Christina Leslie, the senior director of corporate sustainability at Eurofins’ Lancaster campus, also serves as an ambassador for the green direction the company is committed to embracing. Always a nature lover, the Gettysburg native graduated from Millersville University with a degree in biology and environmental science. Describing herself as “passionate about environmental issues,” she started her career in a roundabout way by becoming a testing chemist at Lancaster Labs. Her environmental interests were addressed through becoming a founding member of the company’s Green Team.
Beginning with a recycling program, Eurofins’ green programs have expanded to include prioritizing Energy Star-rated instruments and equipment, converting to LED lighting (“We operate 24 hours a days,” she points out of the need to be energy efficient), creating a rain-capturing system through which more than 1 million gallons of water are recycled each year, adding 18 EV charging stations to the complex, building a fleet of EV shuttle buses and developing landscape plans that are native based and protect the environment. “Our effort to transform the landscape using native plants is one of the things we are most proud of,” Christina says.
Fortunately for Eurofins, the Green Team’s efforts paid dividends from the outstart. By 2014, sustainability
Clockwise:
The riparian forest buffer, which is planted with native trees and shrubs, was installed in 2019 with the help of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Eurofins volunteers.
Pawpaws are among the trees growing in the riparian forest buffer.
By late summer, the color palette shifts to gold and purple hues.
had become a corporate priority, thus impacting Eurofins’ network of companies. “Our largest customers began requesting that questions about sustainability be answered,” Christina recalls. The Lancaster campus essentially became a lab of another sort, as more sustainability practices were put to the test. It prompted the establishment of a Sustainability Report that is now published annually. Being ahead of the curve turned out to be an advantage for the Eurofins Lancaster site. “By 2021, we were seeing regulations become more stringent, especially in Europe,” she says. “What we were doing here set a standard for other locations.”
The Power of Plants
Partners such as the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Lancaster Conservancy and other environmentally conscious organizations provided assistance to the Eurofins team as they set out to create a green working environment.
The first major project was carried out in 2019, when the Alliance offered its assistance to create a riparian forest buffer on the southern edge of campus. Planted with more than 1,000 trees and shrubs that are native to Pennsylvania, the seven-acre expanse is bordered by a small stream that ultimately feeds into the Chesapeake Bay. “Employees volunteered to help plant the trees,” Christina says of the challenging job. “The survival rate was great,” she adds of the forest in the making.
On the other side of the stream, a wetlands habitat attracts birds, wildlife and insects, as does a nearby springfed pond. According to Christina, the pond had always existed. Eurofins cleaned it up and added new native plantings, again making it a magnet for herons and other creatures. The three areas are interconnected by a walking trail that sees plenty of use, not only by employees but also by residents of the adjoining neighborhood who have access to it. “That trail is always busy,” Christina reports. The presence of dog
walkers is testament that residents who live nearby are indeed utilizing it.
The original part of campus has also benefited from greening practices. A company garden was launched in 2010 by Eurofins’ Garden Club, whose members tend to all aspects of the growing season and have first dibs for the vegetables and herbs that grow in the plots. Christina reports that excess produce occasionally finds its way to the company cafeteria, where the cooking staff devises ways to add it to the menu. The area is also home to a pollinator garden that is abuzz with bees and other insects. As the gardens are now more than 15 years old, plans are being discussed to remodel the space. “We’d really like to replace the plots with raised bed gardens,” says Christina. “We are aiming for 2027 to make that happen.”
Across the drive is a scene that is pure Lancaster County. Cows and horses graze on a hillside that once was grounded by a drainage ditch that created an ecological problem. Stormwater runoff would make its way
Christina Leslie, who is “passionate about environmental issues,” oversees the sustainability mission of Eurofins Biopharma Product Testing North America, which is based in Lancaster.
down the hillside (collecting pollutants), spill into the ditch and then flow into the stormwater drainage system, ultimately traveling through tributaries before reaching the Chesapeake Bay. The idea of remedying the situation with a rain garden materialized. In 2020, Eurofins partnered with Land Studies, Inc. in Lititz, to carry out the project that encompasses more than 12,500 square feet. Again, the area is filled with native plants that act as filters, thus adding a line of defense for the area’s tributaries.
A Learning Environment
Christina is also proud of the fact that Eurofins’ efforts have become “educational platforms” that demonstrate the importance of protecting and restoring lands,
which in turn provides a safety net for waterways and wildlife. In an effort to provide hands-on education, Eurofins has forged educational partnerships with Millersville University, Franklin & Marshall College, the North Museum of Science and Nature and the Lancaster Science Factory. Job-shadowing programs are also made available. “We have Science Volunteers at the Science Factory averaging once a month,” she says. As for F&M, Eurofins is partnering with the college to perform a Bio Blitz that will ID the birds and mammals that are observed visiting the green spaces on campus. “That was last done with Millersville University in 2019, so we’re excited to see the difference seven years have made,” she says.
Eurofins also became an active sponsor of Lancaster Conservancy’s
Water Week, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. During the week of June 5-13, water-related events will be held across Lancaster County, including tours of Eurofins’ green and blue spaces. Christina, who serves as a tour guide, is always gratified to see curious business owners turn out to learn how they can adapt green concepts to their own properties. That interest is an outgrowth of the Sustainable Business Cohort (of which Christina was a member) that was established by RegenAll, the Lancaster Chamber and MANTEC, and resulted in the publishing of a Sustainable Business Resource guide. “When customers visit [the Lancaster campus], they are always intrigued by what we’re doing here and love what they see,” she points out.
Clockwise:
Eurofins employees can enjoy a “natural” break by utilizing the walking trail and picnic tables.
Butterflies and other insects flourish in Eurofins’ natural environment.
Eurofins’ Garden Club members launched vegetable and pollinator gardens in 2010. Christina hopes to see the plots replaced by raised beds in 2027.
A hillside Eurofins shares with a neighboring farm was made environmentally friendly in 2019, when the company partnered with Land Studies, Inc. to install a rain garden that filters the water that flows into the stormwater/drainage system.
The Human Element
Interestingly, the green environment at Eurofins is seen as a perk that attracts – and more importantly, retains –employees (all of whom receive training on sustainable business practices). Having access to green spaces is shown to play roles in reducing stress and enhancing productivity.
Employees also enjoy benefits such as subsidized meals and an onsite fitness center. Bike racks, preferred parking for carpoolers and comp bus passes (10 a month) have helped Eurofins become a Best Workplace for Commuters winner since 2018. The campus is a pick-up point for employees who subscribe to Lancaster Farm Fresh’s CSA program.
Employees are also encouraged to share Eurofins’ philanthropic philosophy with the community. Science Volunteers share the many ways STEM education can lead to lifelong careers. Community Heroes is a program through which teams of volunteers take on projects that benefit the community. The largest such project dates to 2006, when the
total workforce in Lancaster came together to finance and build two Habitat for Humanity houses that were shipped to the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Embracing a Green Environment
Christina admits there are some tradeoffs involved when landscapes go native. “You’ll need to feel comfortable with the ‘wild’ look,” she says. Color comes in waves. You also must resist the urge to tidy things up, as seedpods provide food for birds and insects and vegetation provides shelter for all forms of wildlife.
Reducing expanses of grass is also a stumbling block for many. Once you get past that, the pluses outnumber any minuses. Less lawn to mow equates to less maintenance and less pesticide use. The need to mulch lessens. “There are a few areas we still need to mulch, but the amount of mulch that’s brought in by our landscaping company has been greatly reduced,” Christina notes.
On the To-Do list is continuing to
replace non-native or invasive plants and shrubs with native varieties. A new project will be unveiled for Water Week. The walking trail will be dotted with signage whose QR codes will help visitors gain a better understanding of what they are seeing and will include plant and wildlife IDs. “We’re excited about that,” Christina says of the interactive element that is being added to the trail.
Christina is confident that such contributions are making an impact both locally and globally. “Sustainability is at the heart of Eurofins’ mission,” she emphasizes. “We feel it’s one of our many contributions to creating a safer and healthier world.”
For more information, visit Eurofins.com/biopharma-services/ laboratories/Lancaster-laboratories/ about-us/corporate-socialresponsibility
For information about Water Week activities, visit Lancasterconservancy.org
Homefields Care Farm, located along Letort Road in Millersville. The barn mural, designed and painted in 2022 by Steve Wilson, Brenda Blank and Evanna Morris, lists Homefields’ core values: Abilities, Respect, Options, Sustaining, Inclusive and Integrity.
TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY
JORDAN BUSH
Homefields GROWING ASPIRATIONS
Greeted by a spectacular mural painted on the barn, visitors to Homefields Care Farm in Millersville are soon enveloped by the idyllic spirit of the landscape. Patches of vibrant wildflowers and native plants thrive in every available space among the organic fields, greenhouses and orchards, creating an abundant habitat for bees and other beneficial insects. All creatures great and small are welcome; however, the real beauty is in Homefields’ mission.
FINDING A PLACE TO BELONG
Homefields offers several layers of programs, with people being at the core of its mission. Founded in 1993, Homefields added residences in 1994 and 1995, and launched the “care farm” concept in 1999 (officially rebranded to Care Farm in 2018).
The mission was bolstered when a small group of parents set out to “build a step where none existed.” Together, they understood the harsh reality that support programs end for children with special needs when they reach 21 years of age. At that point, a chasm opens for housing and work opportunities, with few support programs available and no clear path forward.
According to Allison Hawthorne, a founding member who is now the executive director, Homefields was the second care farm in Pennsylvania and 35th in the nation at the time it was founded. Along with other founding members, including Jim Determan, Dorothy Lyet, and Tom and Linda Strauss, Allison explains the plan “envisioned homes situated on land that supported a small farming operation with yearround projects. This environment, with many ongoing activities, would stimulate residents and offer them new options.”
Five families pulled their resources to purchase eight acres in Millersville in an effort to meet these objectives.
SUPPORTING PEOPLE THROUGH CSA
Thirty-five years later, Homefields Care Farm offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) that aids in providing workplace and skillstraining opportunities for adults and students with special needs. The CSA is at the core of Homefields’ mission:
“To nurture meaningful experiences that connect people of all abilities to each other and to the land.” Homefields seeks to meet everyone of any ability, wherever they are.
HOMEFIELDS’ WORK PHILOSOPHY is atypical of most job programs for workers with physical or mental disabilities, in that tasks are often menial, repetitive, and one part of a larger process without the gratification of a conclusion. Little to no consideration is given to the interests or unique capabilities of workers. “They’ve been told, ‘Sort this hardware, tear down this box, but they don’t know where they are in that process,” says Allison. “They’ve never seen the whole process. They
don’t know the importance of their role.” Homefields creates opportunities for supported farm workers to try out various roles and offers them choices. Because the needs of the farm change on a daily basis, so too do the choices a worker can make. One day, they might opt to weed, another to wash or pack vegetables.
STUDENTS AND WORKERS
experience the immense gratification of planting seeds, cultivating them and watching them grow into food provided to CSA members. “We take it from seed to shareholder,” says Allison. “This is the piece that has kept me going for over 30 years.”
From May through November, Homefields offers a CSA to the public, which provides the majority of the farm’s financial support to its workers, who are given the opportunity to work indoors and out, interact with the community, and be seen and valued. Both agricultural and personal growth begins in early
spring, as the team of supported farm workers plants seeds in starter trays. Tending to the crops all summer, they foster and experience growth firsthand. At harvest, workers experience the satisfaction of directly handing the fruits of their labor to CSA members.
These tasks help develop hard and soft skills, building confidence while serving as opportunities for social interactions, continued connection, and enriching their lives holistically in a safe, welcoming environment. “We wouldn’t be here if we were just picking potatoes, we also pick each other up,” says Allison.
CSA MEMBERS ALSO experience several levels of benefits, starting with the option to pick up produce weekly or biweekly on Fridays and Saturdays. By bringing reusable bags, members can help reduce the need for single-use
plastic. Some members also opt to pick herbs, berries and flowers in the fields directly, creating a dynamic, hands-on activity for children. Visits to the farm are a serene part of the experience, but the opportunity to interact with the supported workers and ask questions is another mutual benefit.
One CSA member visits Homefields biweekly with her young son, traveling all the way from Bucks County. Tony Beers, Homefields farm manager during the 2025 season, was curious as to her reasoning. According to Tony, “She said, ‘I like the way you treat my son.’” The visits allow her son, who has autism, to explore the fields, ask questions, and just be a kid, free of stigma.
EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEER programs also take place at Homefields
CSA members also have access to pickyour-own fields, a fun activity for families to gather herbs, berries, cherry tomatoes, peppers and flowers.
Seed trays of vegetables and herbs planted in April will grow in greenhouses until they’re ready to be transplanted into the fields for the CSA.
Andrew Phillips, program coordinator, leads a farm tour during Homefields’ 2025 Open Farm event held each April.
Tony Beers, farm manager, educates visitors on starting seeds in a greenhouse during Homefields’ 2025 Open Farm event.
Care Farm. As part of their learning curriculum, students regularly visit from nearby Millersville University, as well as local high schools, including Penn Manor, Manheim Township and Conestoga Valley. Many of the visiting students, volunteers and workers have never visited a farm.
“The setting of agriculture and nature itself is therapeutic,” says Allison. Programs and workshops are also offered that focus on topics such as garden design, beekeeping and foraging for wild edibles. Yoga and Tai Chi classes are also held.
ROLLING ROOTS MOBILE MARKET
While essential to financing their mission, Homefields CSA makes every effort to resist price increases to ensure access to quality, low-cost produce. In support of that priority, and of their people-focused mission, Homefields has partnered with Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Lancaster to create a mobile market. Dubbed “Rolling Roots,” the program aims to bring fresh and affordable produce to areas in the county that are not easily walkable or lack access to farm-fresh food. On alternating Thursdays, the mobile market brings produce to either the Welsh Mountain area of eastern Lancaster County or to Lancaster City (behind Rachel’s on West Walnut Street) in an effort to curb food insecurity and inequality. Everyone is welcome to buy fresh produce at the Rolling Roots markets.
Additionally, any unsold produce is donated to local food banks after CSA pickups are fulfilled. In 2025, Homefields donated 5,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce to the Lancaster County food bank system, partnering with CAP, Union Community Care and The Loft Community Partnership.
WORKING DESPITE THE SYSTEM
As children age out of traditional programs, how well they are served depends heavily on their unique needs and the amount of existing family support available. Existing programs offer home care support from 2:30 p.m. until the next morning, meaning young adults need a place to belong during the day, such as a part-time job. Individuals with special needs might lack the means needed to get to a job or program, depending on the transportation support available.
Oftentimes someone (generally a parent) must remain at home. Typically, the higher income earner maintains their job, while the other parent forfeits their career to provide full-time, supervised care, a well-meaning act that can stress or even impoverish an otherwise capable household.
Not every household can afford the loss of income, and parents of children with special needs are several times more likely to divorce due to the additional financial, care and scheduling pressures. Some families are led by a single parent. As parents age and face personal healthcare challenges, support requirements often shift to adult siblings, transferring the pressures and perpetuating the cycle. Homefields provides two group homes onsite for adults with disabilities, with Community Services Group providing 24 hour staffing.
AT HOMEFIELDS, supported farmhands receive a minimum hourly wage of $7.25, regardless of ability. The realities are immensely complicated. Crossing specific income thresholds can trigger a total loss of essential support. Consequently, hours must be restricted for workers with disabilities in order to maintain essential, supervised care support. At the state level, that funding is lacking.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, recent federal cuts to Medicaid in HR1 will likely total $1 trillion over the next decade, claiming to “reduce” state Medicaid costs while effectively eroding access to essential care. Ultimately, in times of crises, support is then found through emergency services such as police and EMTs, resources wholly unsuited to provide care to adults with physical or mental considerations, and potentially with dire costs.
LOCAL SUPPORT
Looking ahead, the possibilities at Homefields are as exciting as they are challenging. Every April, Homefields hosts an Open Farm event (Sunday, April 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m), welcoming members of the community to visit and experience the farm through guided tours and activities for children. CSA memberships are available for the 2026 season, and volunteers are welcome. A major fundraising event entails a golf
tournament that is held in September.
SUPPORT IS ALWAYS needed to hire workers and to provide enough tools to host larger volunteer groups. Homefields also hopes to tackle clear, attainable goals by partnering with B-corporations, businesses driven by a mission of sustainability and ethics, often to provide a social benefit beyond a simple motivation for profit. One aspirational goal is to purchase a motorized wheelchair or vehicle capable of transporting a worker over bumpy paths around the farm, with considerations for future maintenance. There are often grant-matching opportunities to multiply donation impact.
There are always ongoing maintenance needs on a farm. Last year, one greenhouse required a replacement electrical panel and wiring, and a tree branch fell on another, where an arborist could have helped avoid the damage.
IN 2015, an unexpected cost arose when a neighboring property was listed for sale. The risk of development became a real threat since the tract had a 5% slope towards the organic certified farmland, meaning lawn fertilizers and pest control treatments could potentially impact Homefields’ land. Protecting the organic certification of their crops, Homefields took out a loan to purchase the neighboring land.
The move wasn’t about expansion or even formally preserving farmland, but protecting the harvest that helps fund their mission. The purchase also meant redirecting key resources away from other opportunities. As housing development around Millersville expands, the significance of Homefields’ fresh food access and land resources increases. Developed land will also likely never revert to agricultural use.
FARM AFTER DARK
After several visits to Homefields, I was invited to attend their annual Farm After Dark event. Supported farmhands, their families, friends, farm managers and staff encircled the campfire on lawn chairs and logs, with hot dogs and s’mores available to roast over the coals. Set beneath an atmospheric October sky, glowing luminaries invited visitors to where the warmth and light chased away the crisp nip in autumn air, filled with smoke, chatter and laughter. Topics of conversation ranged from lighthearted to deep and philosophical, geological
Jordan Bush is a commercial photographer. His work has allowed him to discover and document cultures and food across five continents.
A graduate of Garden Spot High School and Millersville University, Jordan and his fiancée, Jessica, reside and cook together in Ephrata.
from
gardens and solitary bee houses create habitats for native pollinators and beneficial insects that ensure productive harvests while controlling pests without the use of pesticides.
Supported farmers, Cristian Phibbs and Christina Waple, sort produce in Homefields’ barn with farm manager, Tony Beers.
Third-season CSA member Monica Domencic and her two sons, Jeremiah and Thomas, venture into the pick-yourown fields. “We don’t have the luxury of an abundant garden, so this is joyful,” says Monica. It’s “a peaceful and fun adventure for the boys.”
Supported farmer, Christina Waple, hands CSA produce to a member on a Friday morning pickup.
Produce sorted, washed and on display for CSA member pickup, which is held Fridays and Saturdays starting at the end of May and ending in early November.
to technological, touching on travel, wildlife, the formation of mountains and topsoil over millennia, and the latest Apple computers.
It wasn’t a repetitive day of work devoid of reward and opportunity. Neither was it a rigid or awkward nonprofit event. It was a sincere moment of community, a place of inclusion and belonging for everyone coming together. That’s what Homefields aims to create.
Homefields Care Farm CSA is located at 150 Letort Road in Millersville. For more information, visit homefields.org.
Clockwise
top left: Wildflower
Table for Two Amanita Café
BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD
FarM -to- TABle FaRe
Amanita Café’s focus on farm-to-table fare, a casual, relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff are key ingredients behind the Lancaster restaurant’s growing success.
Amanita Café originally opened on the 400 block of West Walnut Street in 2022. Having outgrown the space, the café moved a few blocks away to its current location at 223 West Walnut Street last July. “The original space was pretty tiny; it seated about 40. We wanted to strike a blend between coffee and food and imagined it as a ‘grab-and-go’ space. But our food became popular, and we were frequently at capacity. It’s a great problem to have, but we didn’t want our guests to feel rushed by a wait for seating, so we began searching for another space,” explains Ella Usdin, who co-owns the business with her spouse, Ben Lavan.
Amanita’s new location had been home to the vegan restaurant Root since 2015, when its owner announced the restaurant would be closing in December 2024. The space provided a perfect stepup for Amanita, as it offered both street
traffic thanks to surrounding businesses and the closeness of being part of a neighborhood. “A number of our regular customers from the original location followed us here when we re-opened,” Ella reports. The space is also part of Lancaster’s history, as it once housed the original Wacker Brewing Co.
BEFORE REOPENING, renovations were made that included installing a live-edge wood bar top, re-upholstering chairs and banquettes, and adding hanging planters and moss installations. A mural was also completed. Ella describes it as depicting a full day in the forest, and credits Ben, Bernadette Goetz, Shauna Yorty and Schon Wanner as being part of the collaborative effort. The mural features a variety of plants and animals, including the amanita mushroom that gives the café its name.
As for their backgrounds, Ella explains that “Ben is a farmer and forager, and
I’ve been in the hospitality industry for a number of years. We love entertaining, so opening a restaurant committed to local, sustainably sourced ingredients is the perfect fit for us. The name Amanita Café just fits what we do, and the mushrooms in the mural are the variety of amanita mushrooms that can be found in our area.” Ella also notes that foraged ingredients are incorporated into the restaurant’s menu offerings.
Amanita Café seats about 90 in two dining spaces. During warm-weather months, the large glass roll-up door in the rear dining area opens into an outdoor-dining space.
AMANITA CAFÉ SERVES American and Mediterranean cuisine. It also offers a full-service coffee and espresso bar. The food menu includes breakfast, lunch and brunch items, as well as vegan options. While ingredients change seasonally, menu items are relatively
On the menu (clockwise from top left): the ultimate comfort food, borscht; perfect for lunch, shakshuka and salad served with a side of Front Porch sourdough; hummus and wild mushroom (mycopolitan) toast; and a Belgian waffle.
stable. For example, a frittata is on the menu, but its ingredients change depending on what’s fresh and in season. “We create a high-quality product that comes from the bounty of the earth. It yields a better product when you’re incorporating seasonal ingredients. Items such as our greens change seasonally, and the whipped butter that’s served with our waffles also incorporates seasonal ingredients,” Ella explains.
Popular items include burgers, which are made using grass-feed beef sourced from Apple Valley Creamery; and shakshuka, a Middle Eastern dish featuring two free-range poached eggs cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with zucchini, bell peppers and feta, and served with sourdough toast sourced from Front Porch Baking Co. Other customer favorites include hummus and mushroom toast and Amanita’s signature mushroom grilled cheese.
In addition to Apple Valley Creamery (East Berlin, York County) and Front Porch Baking Co. (which recently relocated from Millersville to the city), Amanita Café also sources ingredients from Eagle Road Farm, Quarryville; Elsewhere Bakery, Forager’s Formula and Lancaster Farmacy, all in Lancaster; Local Bound PA, Philadelphia; and Joyce Farms, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Coffee beans are sourced from Passenger Coffee Roasters and Gerhart Roasters, both located in Lancaster. “It’s important to us that we use coffee that’s sustainably grown and that growers receive a fair wage,” Ella says. Amanita Café also creates its own brews including a Nitro Cold Brew that’s a blend of Gerhart and Passenger beans. Other beverages include tea, smoothies, sparkling beverages and kombucha.
The café also offers catering with party trays and platters available for pickup or delivery.
Amanita Café is located at 223 West Walnut Street, Lancaster. Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. (Kitchen closes 15 minutes prior to restaurant closing.) Online ordering available. For more information, call 223-569-6109 or visit, amanitacafe.com, Facebook and Instagram.
Clockwise from top:
The mural depicts the mushrooms for which Amanita is named.
Ella Usdin owns Amanita Café with her spouse, Ben Lavan.
Exposed brick, large windows, a live-edge bar top, plants and a mural make Amanita a welcoming place for a coffee break or a meal.
Matcha is made with green tea from Matcha Kari (a company owned by Dr. Andrew Weil) and whole milk from Apple Valley Creamery. Borscht, a traditional hearty soup made with root vegetables, is most associated with Eastern and Central Europe.
ANCHOR LANCASTER
Voted #1 Nonprofit
• Free breakfast
• Warm showers
• Laundry services
• Compassionate care
With 40,000 meals and 6,000 showers provided in 2024, we’re here to serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness or hardship with dignity and respect. Partner with us today!
Find us at 29 East Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 or donate online at AnchorLancaster.org.
LANCASTER
COUNTY’S BEST KEPT SECRETS TOUR
April 9-25, 2026
44 small businesses are ready to WOW you during this one-of-a-kind shopping, food & fun adventure! Receive tons of perks (discounts, gifts, games, drawings) for shopping small! Tickets are $12 each ($1 per ticket sold will be donated to Lancaster Snow Angels). For more info or to order tickets, call 717-721-9409 or email melissa@bestkeptsecretstour.com. Bestkeptsecretstour.com
ATTITUDES HAIR & NAIL SALON
This year we are celebrating 28 years in our mission of helping you LOVE your hair and nails! We specialize in trendy and traditional hair design, refreshing color, brightening highlights and perms for added style. Rejuvenate your hands and feet with relaxing manicures and pedicures. Thank you for trusting us to help you look and feel your best and voting us “The Best” hair and nail salon in 2025.
798A New Holland Avenue, Lancaster. 717-295-0836.
WATER CHECK WATER SYSTEMS, LLC
Established in 2005, Water Check is a small, family-owned waterconditioning business. Performing professional testing and designing custom water systems that best fit the need of your water has been their mission for over 20 years. No matter what your water-quality issues, Water Check has a system for you. Proudly serving the Lancaster and all of south-central PA areas.
Call to set up your free water testing and take the first step toward cleaner, safer, better water.
Thank You, Lancaster, for Voting Us Among the Best Chinese Restaurants!
Family-Owned and Operated for 45 Years!
At Hong Kong Garden, you’ll find consistency in taste, generous portions, a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere and excellent service. We offer lavish lunch and dinner menus, made with quality, fresh ingredients, for dine-in or take-out.
Gift Certificates Available
Melanie B. Scheid Funeral
Directors & Cremation Services
COLUMBIA RE-UZIT SHOP
MCC Thrift Shop. Donations Accepted. Join us for our Bag Sale every third Friday of the month and fill one of our shopping bags with clothes and shoes for $5. Treasures can be found for everyone and every purchase is a gift to the world. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 9a.m.-4p.m.
363 Locust Street, Columbia. 717-684-7621.
MELANIE B. SCHEID FUNERAL DIRECTORS & CREMATION SERVICES
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.
317 E. Orange Street, Lancaster 717-393-1776
3225 Main Street, Conestoga 717-872-1179 melaniebscheidfh.com
Sewing Hope for Girls Worldwide
A decade ago, a friend gave Renita Yahara three boxes of outdated fabric. Looking for a way to put it to use, the Elizabethtown resident searched for charitable sewing organizations. She discovered Dress a Girl Around the World, an organization that uses volunteer sewing groups to provide dresses to girls in need.
BY CAT SHANNON
Rather than just donate the fabric, Renita took action. Since 2017, she and other women have distributed more than 15,000 dresses to girls experiencing poverty or who are at risk for human trafficking. “Having five
granddaughters that I enjoyed sewing for, it was the perfect outlet for my need to create,” she shared.
Dress a Girl Around the World was founded by Rachel Cinader in 2009. It is a campaign of Hope 4 Women International, which formed as a nondenominational Christian nonprofit in 2006 to bring dignity to women around the world. From its base in Iowa, the organization has spawned volunteer sewing groups across the United States, as well as internationally (Canada, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia and the United Kingdom).
Dresses are distributed through Hope 4 Women and other international organizations, striving toward its mission of providing at least one new dress to
every girl in need to help them know they are worthy of respect and are loved by God. Since the organization’s founding, more than 4 million dresses have been sent to 90 countries around the world.
RENITA SERVES AS president of the local chapter of Dress a Girl, sewing dresses, collecting dresses from other people, speaking at local churches and service groups about the project and serving as state ambassador for the effort.
The project is a natural fit for Renita, who operates E-Town Sewing Studio. The business teaches students ages 7 through adults the “lost art of sewing,” she said, noting that learning to sew promotes hand-eye coordination, reading comprehension, self-confidence, creativity, problem solving and much more.
Renita was drawn to Dress a Girl because of its focus on helping girls who are truly in need. “These dresses go to girls who have nothing,” she said. “We have been told by people in the field what a difference this makes in a child’s life.”
When Renita launched the local chapter of Dress a Girl in 2017, she wondered if there would be an interest from other women in helping with the nonprofit’s mission. “The Merchandiser ran a story in May of that year, and many ladies showed up the next day to help,” she recalled. “Most are still sewing with us!”
Volunteers meet weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Renita’s studio (222 Peach Alley, Elizabethtown), to mass-produce cute and modest dresses using a pattern Renita designed. No sewing experience is necessary.
Volunteers can also sew dresses from home, using patterns linked on the E-Town Sewing Studio’s website, (etownsewingstudio.com). Beyond sewing dresses, people can support Dress a Girl by donating fabric or funds. “We are always, always, always in need of 100% cotton fabric that is suitable for little girl dresses,” she noted. “Since we are a nonprofit, we also accept cash donations so we can purchase supplies.”
To learn more about Dress a Girl Around the World, visit, dressagirlaroundtheworld.com
Cat Shannon writes for the community newspapers – Merchandiser, Advertiser and Pennysaver – that are published by Engle Printing & Publishing/Townlively.com.
Above: Volunteers sew dresses in Elizabethtown for Dress a Girl Around the World.
Left: Recipients with some of the dresses provided by Dress a Girl Around the World
Renita Yahara
TO BUILD A VIBRANT COMMUNITY, IT TAKES A VILLAGE.
Brethren Village has so many ways to live a vibrant life, both physically and socially. From lifestyle and culture to dining and socialization, all available on our beautiful Lititz campus. And, of course, we have dozens of floor plans and financial options. See for yourself. Call 717-581-4227 to tour our community.
IT TAKES A TEAM
“Having lived throughout the U.S. during my lifetime, I’ve experienced numerous dental practices, but none as impressive as Weierbach & Genetti Prosthodontics.
They are the most fastidious, technically proficient, skilled practitioners who take pride in their excellence and attention to detail. They consistently strive to achieve the best results utilizing the top lab partners to make each procedure flawless.
Dr. Genetti is the best Prosthodontist I’ve ever had the honor of working with. From hygientist to dental assistants to office staff, the care was superb. What sets them apart is the genuine care for their patients and for one another— and it shows!
I recommend this practice unequivocally and without hesitation. My only regret is that I didn’t know about them years ago. They are simply the best!”
American Dental Association (ADA)recognized specialists in restoring and replacing teeth for a timeless display of confident beauty and Members in the American College of Prosthodontists.
160 North Pointe Boulevard Suite 203 / Lancaster, PA 17601
717.560.9190
YourClassicSmile.com
- MATT ANGELLO Executive Coach and enthusiastic grandfather
Actual Patient of Dr. Genetti