LCM | Celebrating America, Lancaster Style! | July-August 2026

CELEBRATING AMERICA

LADY LANCASTER’S WEARABLE ART

Lancaster Style!

HISTORIC ROCK FORD

LITITZ’S JULY 4TH FESTIVITIES

COMMUNITY EVENTS

A FARM-TO-TABLE DINNER IN CHURCHTOWN

ICE CREAM AT DECADES

THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER

BOB WAGNER’S “BELLS ACROSS PA” CONTRIBUTION

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JULY-AUGUST 2026 | VOLUME 40 | NUMBER 2

Features

24. The Fabric of America

On the Cover:

The Hand Mansion at Historic Rock Ford provided the backdrop for the portrait of Elizabeth Leaman, which was taken by Kelsey Renee Photography’s Kelsey Strothers. For the cover, Elizabeth wore a duster from her company, Lady Lancaster, whose “wearable art” is made from repurposed quilts.

Meet Elizabeth Leaman, whose company, Lady Lancaster, is repurposing quilts to create what she calls “wearable art.”

32. From the Headwaters Down

Michael C. Upton travels to New York to find the headwaters of the Susquehanna River. The trip prompted return visits to river towns large and small, as well as one ghost town.

Departments

16. Event-Full

Lancaster County will be celebrating Independence Day throughout the month of July.

20. Life of a Party

Jill Brown visits with Kellye Martin, who will be cochairing (along with Jim Bowersox) the biggest party of the year – Fourth of July festivities in Lititz!

38. Foodographer

If it’s summer, it means Kyra and Mike Scalea, the owners of The Inn at Twin Linden in Churchtown, will be hosting their monthly farm-to-table dinners … with a lot of help from local farmers, neighbors and family.

44. Table for Two

Just in time for National Ice Cream Month, Rochelle Shenk visits Decades in Lancaster to get a “taste” of its owners’ newest venture, ice cream.

48. Neighbors

Meet artist Bob Wagner, who put “art history” to work in order to create Lancaster’s contribution to “Bells Across PA” in celebration of America250. It’s on display at Historic Rock Ford.

Special Advertising Section

7. Celebrate Lancaster

Whether it’s history, food, creativity or community pride, Lancaster has plenty to celebrate in 2026.

The land that inspired renowned artist, Rob Evans, to paint “The Lemon Tree Farm" is going up for sale this summer.

It's part of the estate of the late R. Dean and Shirley Lemon, the owners of the former Dean's Trees on the Lititz Pike.

Chances are if you grew-up in Lancaster, you enjoyed Dean's hand-sheared trees at Christmas.

While few evergreens remain on the land in Herndon, Northumberland County, the majestic, sweeping views of the Susquehanna River persist and delight!

Are you interested in a family retreat or a quiet couple’s getaway? The 30-plus acre lot, just an hour and a half from Lancaster, will be auctioned August 8, 2026.

Contact Christ Taylor at Beiler-Campbell for more information by calling 717-371-1915.

“The Lemon Tree Farm” by Rob Evans

Dean & Shirley Lemon

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

George Deibel

Jeff Falk

Cathy Molitoris

Rochelle A. Shenk

Michael C. Upton

Kathleen Wagner

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jordan Bush

Nick Gould

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

717-492-2525

SALES MANAGER

Greg March Gmarch@engleonline.com

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE Lori Secord Lori@lancastercountymag.com

FOR SUBSCRIPTION INFO: 717-492-2556

Single copy price $2.95 (discounts available on quantity orders). Subscription price is $16.95 for 1 Year.

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Amanda Cole, 40 years old

Juniper McCord, 3 years old Lily Kime, 2 years old

Lindsey Garcia, 40 years old

Shema Dickinson, 50 years old

Victoria Morton, 34 years old

Celebrating America’s 250th with Paradise Station!

Paradise Station in Ronks, Pennsylvania, is the perfect spot to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday! What began in 1970 as a dare and 19 cabooses, today encompasses The Red Caboose Motel, where you can sleep in one of 38 cabooses, a mail car, baggage car, historic farmhouse or luxurious Conductor’s Quarters; Casey Jones’ Restaurant, where you can dine on one of two P70 80-ton coach cars that once rode the rails of the Pennsylvania Railroad; and The Barn at Paradise Station, where you can attend an inspiring original show, concert, event or wedding in a fully restored and technologically enhanced 1812 Pennsylvania Bank Barn.

THIS INCREDIBLE PROPERTY, stewarded by the Prickett family since 2016, has grown exponentially in its offerings to the community and guests from around the world. Paradise Station is thrilled to present their annual

Celebrate America! community event, concert and fireworks spectacular on Friday, July 3, 2026.

This incredible community event is held in the heart of land chartered by William Penn and given to Marie Ferree, who fled religious persecution in France. As part of Penn’s Holy Experiment, Ferree requested a meeting with Penn to negotiate for land, and being so impressed by her, he petitioned Queen Anne to grant her an audience. Ferree was granted English citizenship and permission to colonize in Pennsylvania. Once there, Penn’s agents received her request for 2,000 acres in 1709; the land was purchased in 1712 under the name of Daniel Ferree, Marie’s son, and was called Strasburg in honor of the place in Alsace where Marie and her family found safety.

THIS ONE-DAY EVENT gathers the community with food trucks, games, vendors, a patriotic Maker’s Market and more, with the Strasburg Rail Road, the oldest continuously operating railroad in

the nation, bringing guests right to the property. The evening culminates with a full-length patriotic concert by The New Holland Band (America’s second-oldest community band), professional singers and choir, and a stunning 20-minute fireworks spectacular by Schaefer Fireworks. Hosted by former WGAL News Anchor Anne Shannon, 2026 will boast special touches to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, including a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, as well as tie in the local importance and role that Lancaster County played in the birth of our nation. Celebrate America with us…in Paradise!

312 Paradise Lane, Ronks, PA 17572 717-687-5000 paradisestation.us

Celebrate LANCASTER

CRAVINGS is an apt name for this gourmet deli that was founded in 1992 and has been owned by Steve Marinos since 2012. His goal is to provide guests and catering customers with food made from high-quality products such as Dietz and Watson’s cheeses and meats, and local fresh produce. He also sources bread products from bakeries in Philadelphia, and desserts from Sweet Streets in Reading. The extensive menu features starters, salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, subs, burgers, cheesesteaks, grilled and char-broiled items and, of course, desserts. The deli’s unique variety of 31 specialty sandwiches and wraps – Special Cravings – are named after family and friends and have proven to be popular additions to the menu.

Love Whisk Cafe?

TANGER OUTLETS is the place to go to find your favorite designers and brand names at incredible savings. Here, you’ll find products from Nike, Under Armor, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, J. Crew, Kate Spade, Polo Ralph Lauren, Cole Haan, Michael Kors, Pottery Barn, West Elm and dozens of other favorites. Be sure to visit on July 25 for the Back to School Bash that will feature food trucks and kids’ activities, not to mention savings on clothing, shoes and supplies. Download our App to stay informed of upcoming promotions and special events.

Experience the ultimate breakfast and lunch destination at WHISK CAFE , Elizabethtown’s top spot for local, made-to-order cuisine.  Our breakfast menu, which is served all day, boasts unique, fresh, seasonal options that will satisfy every foodie. The lunch menu includes a great selection of salads and sandwiches. On the run? Grab a freshly made baked good. Enjoy freshly brewed coffee, signature lattes or indulge in a cocktail for a memorable breakfast, brunch or lunch experience.

At LUTHER ACRES , a Luthercare community in Lititz, residents are looking forward to the summer season and the wonderful opportunities it brings! Gardeners will be busy beautifying their decks, balconies and patios or contributing their time to the community garden. They will also take advantage of the outdoor programs that are offered. Dining with other residents who have become friends is also a top priority. They’ll also take advantage of the opportunities that are afforded by the restaurants, shops and special events Lititz has to offer.

311 Stanley K Tanger Blvd.

Luther Acres is growing — and our newest neighborhood is something special. Nestled in the heart of Lititz, our brand-new, maintenance-free cottages are designed for active adults who want a vibrant lifestyle and long-term confidence. Enjoy a welcoming community, a charming town, and seamless access to Luthercare’s trusted continuum of care.

For a limited time, founding residents enjoy an exclusive move-in incentive — our way of welcoming the very first neighbors in this new community.

With a breathtaking view of the Susquehanna River, locally sourced food and dedicated staff, JOHN WRIGHT RESTAURANT is an all-in-one location for your special occasion. As a full-service venue, they can accommodate bridal and baby showers, rehearsal dinners, corporate parties, weddings, and any other reason to celebrate. Large events can be held in the River Room, while smaller celebrations can take place in the main dining room. The seasonal Pizza Patio is open through August. The glass-enclosed dining room offers a wide-ranging menu with an emphasis on local products. John Wright Restaurant is proud to offer a wide variety of options to make your special event memorable and hassle-free.

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.

Cool off this summer with a sweet treat at LITTLE DIPPERS ICE CREAM ! We have 50+ hand-dipped ice cream flavors including 25+ from Penn State Berkey Creamery! We also hand-dip Creamery 1/2 gallons to take home. (Online ordering for 1/2 gallons is available.) The menu also features soft-serve ice cream, shakes, banana splits, sundaes, candy blend-ins, malts, floats, Italian Ice and gelati. We also offer vegan/ dairy-free, NSA, sherbets and much more! Visit us and enjoy our patio or utilize the drive-thru. Summer hours are 12-10 p.m. every day! Open year-round! Visit us on Facebook and Instagram.

Hours: 10-5 Sat. 10-4 Sun.

Hours: 10-5 Sat. 10-4 Sun.

Hours: 10-5 Sat. 10-4 Sun.

Hours: 10-5 Sat. 10-4 Sun. Rain or shine

Rain or shine

or Shine

admission & parking

FREE admission & parking

Roots Market

705 Graystone Rd. Manheim, PA 17545

705 Graystone Rd. Manheim, PA 17545

705 Graystone Rd. Manheim, PA 17545

705 Graystone Rd. Manheim, PA 17545

Visit HEART OF LANCASTER’S 38TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY ARTS AND CRAFT SHOW  at Root’s Country Market on September 5-6. Enjoy the works of select artists and craftsmen from Pennsylvania and nearby states. From pottery and décor to jewelry and artwork, over 100 juried artists and crafters will be exhibiting at the show. There will also be a delicious variety of food, as well as live entertainment. Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show has been recognized in Sunshine Artist’s “200 Best” art shows for 10 years in a row. Parking and admission are both free. The show is rain or shine and will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.

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.

The RAILROAD MUSEUM OF PENNSYLVANIA

proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. Over that time period the museum was able to acquire more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars that are on display at the museum, which is on the outskirts of Strasburg. The museum’s focus is on telling the stories of railroads that once served Pennsylvania, as well as those that continue to do so. Upcoming events include Reading Railroad Days, July 8-11, while Saturdays in August will be devoted to Model Railroading. Other special events will dot the calendar during the fall.

A Summer of Real Trains

Celebrate with us as we mark nearly 200 years of railroading, the industry that helped build our nation. You’ll experience our amazing, world-class collection of 100 historic American locomotives and railroad cars, right here in Lancaster County.

Climb aboard a caboose, take the throttle in an authentic locomotive cab, inspect a 62-ton engine from underneath and go hands-on in the delightful railway education center. Enjoy family-friendly events, exhibits, tours, a museum store, a restoration shop and more.

Plan your visit today.

Open year-round. Free on-site parking.

Celebrating Lancaster.

Since 1932, L.H. BRUBAKER APPLIANCES AND WATER TREATMENT  has been dedicated 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 one-stop 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. Any of the L.H. Brubaker locations look forward to seeing you soon!

One of the many popular specialties at WILBUR CHOCOLATE is their signature Wilbur Buds. They can be purchased in many different gift formats or in casual pouches for total chocolate Bud enjoyment! Other favorites include chocolatecovered fruit, triple-coated almonds and the kitchen-made Lititz Bark. Stop by the Lititz store today to find all kinds of sweet treats for yourself or as the perfect gift for any occasion! Visit wilburbuds.com to find out more about their long and unique history or to shop for your favorites online.

family fun all summer

October, indulge your sweet tooth with over 24 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, soft serve, sundaes, splits and shakes. Enjoy lunch or dinner with a full menu, including cheesesteaks, burgers, quesadillas, salads and more. Mini golf features fun for all ages with 19 challenging holes (don’t miss our Christmas in July celebration). Be on the lookout for Scoops food trucks in the community or book them for weddings, corporate events, employee appreciations and more. It’s food, ice cream and mini golf all in one great location!

Celebrate July!

America250 Events

It’s America’s 250th birthday! Lancaster County will be celebrating the historic milestone with fireworks, festivals, food, music and old-fashioned fun. For a full slate of July, America250 and music events, visit lancastercountymag.com. August events will be posted online later in July.

PHOTOS: LCM AND SOCIAL MEDIA

1776 America’s Prize Winning

Musical

June 28-30 and July 1

Historic Rock Ford

Historic Rock Ford and War of the Roses Theatre Company will present 1776 America’s Prize Winning Musical, with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone. Experience history through this award-winning musical that highlights the Founding Fathers as humans trying against all odds to create a new nation. This once-in-a-generation performance is being performed at the home of Revolutionary War General Edward Hand on the exact 250th anniversary of when the Continental Congress debated independence in Philadelphia. Enjoy familiar songs such as Sit Down, John and He Plays the Violin, as the performance unfolds on the piazza of the Hand Mansion, transformed into the stage itself. Rather than a traditional theatrical setting, the architecture and atmosphere of the Hand Mansion become an integral part of the experience, blurring the line between performance and place. The show is directed by Jamie Hilton and features a stellar cast of 26 local actors. Concessions will be available. June 28 at 4 p.m. June 29, 30 and July 1 at 7 p.m. 881 Rockford Rd., Lancaster. Information: Historicrockford.org

New Holland Summer Arts

July 1 & 4

New Holland Community Memorial Park

On July 1, the park will host the Swingtime Dolls (WW II era music). On July 4, The New Holland Band will perform a program of patriotic music, followed by fireworks. (Rain date is July 5.) 7 p.m. 400 block E. Jackson St. Information: Newhollandsummerarts.com

Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

July 2 & 3

Historic Rock Ford

This free, family-friendly event will feature educational activities, living history, music, self-guided tours of the Hand Mansion, openhearth cooking and period dance demos, a children’s scavenger hunt, and hands-on experiences that bring the Revolutionary era to life. Free admission but registration is appreciated. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 881 Rockford Rd., Lancaster. Information: Historicrockford.org

Celebrate America250

July 3

Penn Medicine Park

The Lancaster Stormers are

hosting this free community event that will feature an exciting lineup of family-friendly activities, live entertainment and patriotic fun. Guests can enjoy a performance by the Lancaster Symphony, fireworks, bounce houses, a petting zoo, pony rides, Three Legacies Wrestling, the Crazy On Clay Car Show, historical reenactments, stage entertainment, vendors, lawn games, hot dog and pie-eating contests and a pig roast. Food and beverages will be available for purchase both inside and outside the stadium. 5-11 p.m., with the LSO performing at 8:45 p.m., and fireworks getting underway at 10 p.m. 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster. Information: Pennmedicinepark.com

Celebrate America

July 3

The Barn at Paradise Station

Back for its third year, the event will feature food trucks, vendors, a Maker’s Market, games and activities for all ages, and a concert featuring America’s second-oldest community band, The New Holland Band, Perfect Harmony, and the Celebrate America Singers. The night ends with a bang as Schaefer Fireworks presents a stunning fireworks show that will light up the night sky! 4-10 p.m. 312 Paradise Lane, Ronks. Information: Barnatparadisestation.com

Howard Fryberger photo

Columbia 300

July 4

Glatfelter Field

Columbia is celebrating its 300th birthday this year and is hosting a special July 4th party with food, music (Pop Scotch) and fireworks. 6 p.m. Glatfelter Field, 1249 Lancaster Ave., Columbia. Information: Facebook.com

4th of July

Celebration & Fireworks

Extravaganza

July 4

Stone Gables Estate

This family-friendly event offers acres of festive fun, including live entertainment, artisan vendors, food trucks, yard games, a petting zoo, campfires, and self-guided tours of two of Lancaster County’s most unique historic venues. Guests can also purchase extras like train rides on the Harrisburg, Lancaster, & Lincoln Railroad, pony rides, food and drinks, and handmade goods from local makers. Fireworks show by Bixler Pyrotechnics. (Note: this is a ticketed event.) 3-9 p.m. 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. Information: Stonegablesestate.com

July 4th Community Event

July 4

Ephrata

Food trucks, kid’s entertainment and live music will be held on the grounds of the Ephrata Church of the Brethren (5:30-9 p.m.). As night falls, the Ephrata Rec and Ephrata Borough will present a fireworks show that is set to start at 9:30 p.m. 201 Crescent Ave., Ephrata. Information: Ecob.church.com

Sweet Summer Festival

July 4

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm

The festival will feature patriotic family fun, sweet corn favorites, live music, games, crafts, a local winery and brewery, a sweet corn-eating contest and Cherry Crest’s biggest fireworks show yet. The farm is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Festival activities begin at noon. 150 Cherry Hill Rd., Ronks. Information: Cherrycrestfarm.com

Community Events

Lititz 209th Annual Fourth of July Celebration

July 4

Lititz

One of the country’s longest-running July 4th celebrations is held in Lititz. The day kicks off with the Blanket Run (7-10 a.m.) during which visitors can stake out their spots to watch the fireworks. The annual Lititz Lions Club Patriotic Parade will make its way through the downtown area at 11 a.m. The afternoon and evening will feature live music; traditional events such as the Queen of Candles pageant, baby parade and pie-eating contest; Kid Zone activities; food trucks/ vendors and more. The grand finale, fireworks, will get underway at approximately 9:30 p.m. Tickets are required to enter Lititz Springs Park (where most activities are held) and can be purchased online or at the gate, which opens at noon. (Note: Rain date is July 5.)

Information: Lititz4thofjuly.com

Marietta Fireworks

July 4

Marietta

Thanks to a concerted volunteer effort and the support of businesses and organizations, Marietta’s July 4th celebration made a sparkling return in 2024. This year’s event will feature a nostalgic carnival and food trucks in Marietta War Memorial Park (334 E. Walnut St., Marietta) beginning at 2 p.m. Community Bible Church (331 Anderson Ferry Rd., Marietta) will host food trucks, entertainment and family fun beginning at 4 p.m. Fireworks will start at approximately 9:15 p.m. Information: Mariettafireworks.org

Summer Fest

July 10

East Petersburg

East Petersburg will celebrate summer with food trucks, a beer garden and music provided by the Modern Day Pharaohs. 5:30-9 p.m. Community Park, Pine St., East Petersburg. Information: Eastpetersburgday.com

SECAFest

July 11

Quarryville

Quarryville’s annual summer celebration features food, music, inflatables and fireworks. 4-9:30 p.m. Memorial Park, 297 Park Ave. Information: Secarec.com

History

Life in the 1860s: A Civilian Living History Event

July 18

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum

Travel back to the 1860s during this immersive living-history event that explores civilian life during one of the most transformative decades in American history. As part of the museum’s America250 programming, this event offers a unique interpretation of the Civil War era, focusing not on the battlefield but on the everyday lives of those who lived through the 1860s. Reenactors, demonstrations (including Philadelphia Town Ball, a precursor to modern baseball) and interpretations will bring community life during the Civil War alive. 9 a.m.-4 pm. 2451 Kissel Hill Rd., Lancaster. Information: Landisvalleymuseum.org

Theatre

America: 250 Years of Freedom

Through October 17 Bird-in-Hand Stage

Take a journey through 250 years of America’s most treasured moments, as conveyed through music and stories. The music – America the Beautiful, My Country ‘Tis of Thee and God Bless America – will stir you. Notables such as John Wayne, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Bob Hope and Ronald Reagan will talk about the country they love and inspire you. Patriotic images and stirring scenery will captivate you. This 90-minute multimedia show from Blue Gate Musicals features the Celebration Singers. Times vary. 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand. Information: Bird-in-hand.com

Mary Poppins

The Musical

June 26-August 8

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

Everyone’s favorite nanny is back! Adventure abounds as you get whisked away to meet dancing chimney sweeps and an array of colorful characters. Hear

classics like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, A Spoonful of Sugar, and Chim Chim Cher-ee. Lunch or dinner buffets available before the show. Times vary. 510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster. Information: Dutchapple.com

1776: The Musical

July 16-August 1

EPAC

Step into the room where history was made! The acclaimed Tony Award–winning show brings the founding of America to vivid, exhilarating life. With sharp wit, stirring songs, and larger-than-life portraits of the Revolutionary leaders, this bold and surprisingly funny musical captures the debate, doubt and determination behind the Declaration of Independence. It’s both timely and timeless! Times vary. 320 Cocalico St., Ephrata. Information: Epactheatre.org

Hair

July 23-August 20

Mount Gretna Playhouse

Gretna Theatre presents the revolutionary and iconic Grammy and Tony award-winning musical that defined a generation and is still brimming with energy, heart and rebellion, and captures the spirit of the 1960’s counterculture in all its glory. With unforgettable anthems like Aquarius, Hair and Let the Sunshine In, it’s a celebration of freedom and expression and speaks to the hopes, struggles and dreams of youth standing at the edge of change. Decades later, its message still resonates: bold, beautiful, and truly relevant. Book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni & James Rado; music by Galt MacDermot. Times vary. 200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mt. Gretna. Information: Gretnatheatre.org

Benefits

July 17-18

Washington Boro Tomato Festival

July 11 & 18

Washington Boro

Food

Cruisin’ Cuisine Car Show/Taste of Mount Joy

July 25

Mount Joy

Bird-in-Hand

This year marks the 27th anniversary of the

collaborative effort on the parts of churches and individuals to raise funds for mission projects in Haiti. Friday’s events include a dinner (chicken BBQ, pulled pork, pizza, burgers), gospel singing and an auction of tools, crafts, quilts and specialty items. Saturday will feature breakfast fare, food stands and auctions entailing furniture, quilts, play-sets, tractors, gardening needs, sheds and more. One item up for bid is a 3D painting (1986) by Abner Zook called Fall Countryside. Friday, starting at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, starting at 6:30 a.m., with the auction getting underway at 8 a.m. 338 N. Ronks Rd., Bird-in-Hand. Information: Pahaitiauction.com

Now in its 23rd year, the car show will include classes such as classic, antique and muscle cars; street rods; Corvettes; motorcycles; and trucks. Local restaurants and vendors will comprise the “Taste of Mount Joy” portion of the event. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Downtown Mount Joy. Information: Voyagemountjoy.com

Ice Cream Trail

Through September 7

Lancaster County

Discover Lancaster has come up with a delicious way for you to discover why President Ronald Reagan thought it was important to recognize ice cream as a treat that is enjoyed by more than 90% of Americans, hence proclaiming July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of July (the 19th this year) as National Ice Cream Day in 1984. The Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison reportedly loved ice cream. One first lady, Dolley Madison, even had a brand of ice cream named in her honor.

You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted a Washington Boro Jet Star tomato! Washington Boro has been celebrating its tomato heritage for decades with a festival whose house specialty is tomato sandwiches (adding bacon is an option). Event also features games, raffles, live music and tomato sales. Proceeds benefit Blue Rock Fire & Rescue. 3-9 p.m. Washington Boro Park, 2010 River Rd., Washington Boro. Information: Facebook.com Haiti Benefit Auction

The passport, which takes the form of a mobile app, is free to obtain and will help you to discover many of the shops, creameries and farms that specialize in ice cream. The app also includes info about discounts and special offers. Rack up points through visiting destinations on the app and earn prizes. Information: Discoverlancaster.com

Life of a Party

Star-spangled Lititz Celebrates

209 Years of Community on July 4th

While the charming town of Lititz gained national attention when it was named “the coolest small town in the USA” in 2013 by budgetravel.com, that moniker is minor when compared to the community’s collective, generous heart, especially when it comes to hosting the biggest party of the year on the Fourth of July.

BY JILL BROWN

Asthough one needs another reason to visit Lititz, with its sweetly quirky shops, dining and entertainment spots, Lititz Springs Park is an unexpected green space in the heart of downtown that offers a scenic stroll or a peaceful pause on a shady park bench. For over two centuries, the park has been owned by the Lititz Moravian Congregation and is now cooperatively maintained by 10 Lititz-area churches. The responsibility extends to the park’s Train Station Welcome Center, band shell, gazebo

and additional structures, as well as the town’s picturesque Memorial Square. Maintaining and sustaining the park and its elements would be a tall order for any community, especially considering that the park’s financial needs are not provided by public funds. Instead, it comes from donations, largely by the community’s citizens.

But in Lititz, it works. And no one knows that better than Kellye Martin, an at-large member of the Lititz Springs Park board, now in her ninth year as chair of the park’s biggest fundraiser of the year and a beloved 209-year Lititz

tradition – the Fourth of July Celebration.

Throwing an all-day party for 13,000 visitors to the park, Kellye says, absolutely takes a village. About 200 volunteers, many of whom are loyal repeats, don staff T-shirts, swelter in July heat and have a blast working as a team to pull off an amazingly well-organized day culminating in a spectacular display of fireworks, lasers, drones and concert-quality music. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Kellye promises that Lititz’s celebration will be bigger and better than ever.

The Lititz Lions Club organizes the annual patriotic parade that is held on the morning of July 4th. Lucas Delaney photo

Below: Clair Global’s Jim Bowersox is Kellye Martin’s cochair for 2026, and will take over as the event’s chair for 2027. “We’ve had 2026 and America’s 250th in the back of our minds for many years,” Kellye says.

Right: Starting at 7 a.m. the Blanket Run takes place, resulting in a patchwork of blankets that reserve coveted views for the

Clockwise from left:

The 85th Queen of the Candles Pageant is a tradition that features 12 Warwick High School senior girls, one of whom is elected Queen by their classmates’ secret ballots. This year’s Queen of the Candles Court includes (second row, left to right): Emily Hoover, Brianne Eberly, Katie Burr, Lilly Bromirski and Annalaye Glenn. The back row, left to right, includes Lyla Brenner, Emma Johnsen, Madelyn Myers, Adriana Kolawa, Vera Roth, Isabel Thacker and Leah Richie. The youngsters in the front are Layla LaSanta (flower girl) and Jackson Hess (crown bearer). Dennis Bicksler photo

Memories are made by every generation, including by participants in the Baby Parade. Lucas Delaney photo

The park welcomes as many as 13,000 visitors for July 4th festivities.

fireworks show. Ava Ren Photography

Like Clockwork

The day begins as early as 3:30 a.m. for some, when locals laden with blankets and lawn chairs line up to converge on the park for what is known as the Blanket Run. This community tradition allows guests (starting at 7 a.m.) to claim their coveted spots for fireworks viewing later that day. “The field is filled with blankets within the first hour,” says Kellye, noting that pockets of space remain for later arrivals.

From 11 a.m. to noon, the town’s streets are filled with floats, marching bands and military processions as the Lititz Lions Club hosts its annual patriotic parade. Beginning at noon, the park offers continuous live entertainment and activities to keep kids busy and adults chilling with a Stars and Stripes Ballet by local dance students, musical acts, a pie-eating contest (whoopie pies for the kid’s division), cornhole tournament and a baby parade, plus over 20 food trucks offering festival fare. This year, a

13-piece band will take over from 6:30 to 8 p.m., as American Soul rocks out three decades of soulful American hits.

As evening sets in, the Queen of the Candles Pageant gets underway. This year marks the pageant’s 85th anniversary. Tradition is very much a part of the pageant as Warwick High School’s senior class nominated and later cast ballots for 12 senior girls to take part. Once the queen is announced, another tradition ensues, as Boy Scouts and townspeople take on the job of illuminating the 4,500 candles that create what has come to be called a “Fairyland of Candles.”

IF THE AMERICANA-ESQUE charm of the afternoon’s events rings too old-timey for your tastes, just wait until dusk. That’s when cutting-edge technology takes over in a coordinated show of fireworks, lasers and 100+ choreographed drones performing to a pre-recorded soundtrack to rock the Fourth. Lititz can thank its lucky stars for

the local live entertainment companies headquartered just up the town’s main drag at Rock Lititz for stepping up, year after year. A world-class sound system is provided by the homegrown Clair Global family, while professional lighting and all-day light direction is donated by 4Wall Entertainment, and staging, video walls and directional, crowd-managing fencing is overseen by Lititz native Chris Strayer’s STRAY Production Services. This list of supporting local businesses goes on and on.

For Warwick graduate Chris Strayer, who started his production, staging and lighting company in his dad’s garage with a few lights 26 years ago, the Clair

Kids line up for carnival games, caricatures, balloon animals and more in the Kid Zone. Lucas Delaney photo Stray Production Services owner Chris Strayer and his daughter Evangeline set up a mobile stage in preparation for the community celebration. Stray Production Services photo

After the Queen’s name is announced, she lights the candles held by her Court. Lititz area Boy Scouts then pass the flames to volunteers who illuminate the park’s stream with more than 4,500 candles. Ava Ren Photography

This year’s dazzling display of fireworks, lasers and choreographed drones by Poconos-area Celebration Fireworks and its sister company Starflight Drones is promised to be bigger and better than ever in honor of the USA’s 250th anniversary. Lucas Delaney photo Visitors admire what has come to be regarded as a “fairyland of candles.”

“Boy Scouts

and townspeople take on the job of illuminating the 4,500 candles that create what has come to be called a

‘Fairyland of Candles.’”

family has been an inspiration. “The Clairs’ involvement in the community encouraged me to be generous,” he says. “It’s contagious.”

“Everyone who works on this event becomes family,” says Kellye, who is often the last person to leave the park in the early hours of July 5th. “I love the

silence, seeing the large Moravian star and all the red, white and blue. It’s a ton of work,” she says, “but what a payoff.”

The $20 admission ($8 for kids) represents Lititz Springs Park’s lifeline. Funds raised on this day not only help ensure that the USA’s second-oldest consecutive celebration of Independence Day continues, but it is also the park’s most significant source of funding for maintaining and improving the park year-round.

Pre-admission tickets ($16 for adults $6 for kids over 2) can be purchased until July 3 at the Train Station Welcome Center, Stauffers’ Lititz location and Bomberger’s, as well as online. Day of tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for kids. Rain date is July 5. For more information, visit Lititz4thofJuly.com.

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.

Owner of Jill Brown Publicity, Marketing & Events, Jill brings highlights of

Clockwise from left:

Elizabeth Leaman’s quilted coats and jackets have been known to literally stop traffic. “I’ve had people stop me on the street and offer to buy what I’m wearing,” she reports. “I’ve had cars do U-turns so that the drivers can ask where they can buy what I’m wearing.” As they come to learn, the label – Lady Lancaster – is homegrown and its pieces are made right here in Lancaster County.

The Fabric of AMERICA

BY SUE LONG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELSEY RENEE PHOTOGRAPHY |

PHOTOGRAPHED AT HISTORIC ROCK FORD

Denim is also part of the Lady Lancaster collections. Made using squares of various colors of denim, this skirt and vest are finished with vintage buttons and bindings. A cowboy hat, boots and Native jewelry provide the perfect accessories for the look, taking it in a western direction. Lady Lancaster also upcycles vintage Levi’s jeans by embellishing them with patchwork salvaged from quilts. How popular is patchwork? Taylor Swift just wore a patchwork dress to the world premiere of Toy Story 5.

As a youngster

growing up in Washington Boro, Elizabeth did not pay much attention to the quilts and other sewing projects that occupied the women in her family. “I was surrounded by quilt makers,” she recalls. As a student at Lancaster Mennonite High School, she barely gave a glance to the frame that was set up for quilting circles. “Quilts were a massive part of my culture, but I just wasn’t interested in them,” she says.

Instead, Elizabeth had other things on her radar, namely vintage clothing and interior design, both of which are reflected in the personal style she has curated over the years. In 2011, those interests led her and a friend to organize the Boro Bazaar, which continues to be held at holiday time in Washington Boro. When it debuted, the bazaar was on the vanguard of the vintage, maker and thrifting movements that are so popular today. When Elizabeth’s co-organizer moved away from the area, she stepped away from the bazaar, as well.

As often happens when one reaches adulthood, Elizabeth gained an appreciation for what is often dismissed in childhood: one’s heritage, culture and roots. This newfound interest was reflected in quilts of all things. “I became obsessed with quilts,” she shares. She credits Eugene Rappaport, a collector and consultant who rode the wave of quilt mania during the ’80s, for educating her about antique quilts. “He would buy Amish quilts and take them to New York. His knowledge about quilts is incredible,” Elizabeth says. “I’m blessed he took an interest in me.”

Elizabeth’s personal collection dates as far back as the 1860-’70s period. She names 1880 through the 1920s as her favorite quilt-making period. While Lancaster County continues to be the epicenter for coveted antique Amish quilts, Elizabeth has widened her horizons and will travel to wherever there are good quilts to be had. She loves that each and every quilt has a story to tell, with each having served a specific purpose. She explains that quilts provide a clue to its maker’s economic situation. For example, quilts made with fabric from Europe convey wealth, while

those made with patches salvaged from other pieces of clothing signify a life in which nothing was wasted. “I love crazy quilts,” she says, equating them to modern art. Elizabeth also shares that she and her staff are often surprised by what they discover when quilts are deconstructed. “We’ve found money, notes, even other blankets inside the quilts,” she shares. “It’s so fascinating.” She also finds it fascinating that quilts were used to guide enslaved people along the Underground Railroad as they made their way north.

LADY LANCASTER IS BORN

Despite being a collector of the decorative arts, Elizabeth was not interested in using quilts to cover beds or hang on walls. As an experiment, she began using quilts to create coats. “I began by making things I wanted to wear,” she notes. When she wore one of her creations, it created a frenzy of interest, especially from members of younger generations, who have become fans of repurposing items in order to put a modern spin on them. Research told her that quilted coats and jackets were nothing new; they are connected to history, having kept wearers warm over the course of centuries.

The reaction to her artful handiwork convinced Elizabeth she was on to something, leading her to consult with an Amish family that creates suits for Amish men. Her goal was to develop a prototype for a one-size-fits-most jacket she would eventually name “The Aunt Ethel” in honor of a great aunt who also had a style all her own. Another style would eventually emerge, which she named “The Helen” in honor of her more traditional grandmother, who is now 97.

Acting on her hunch, Elizabeth took a collection of jackets to Lucketts, an antiques and vintage market that hosts two shows a year in Berryville, Virginia. Elizabeth secured a booth, warning her husband John that the venture might cause her to lose money. He told her to go for it. As it turned out, her worries were pointless.

She sold everything. Shoppers wanted more! “Lucketts proved to be my focus group,” she says.

She needed a name for her creations and arrived at Lady Lancaster. “I’m a very private person and didn’t want my name out there,” she says. Next, she had to take the plunge and introduce the venture via social media. “I was scared to be on social media,” she admits. Social media meant she needed to showcase the clothing. “I tried using models,” she explains. “But they never seemed to understand how the coats and jackets move.” In the end, Elizabeth became “the face” of Lady Lancaster. True to her desire to remain “incognito,” she uses hats and poses to take the focus off her and instead place it on the clothing. “I’m cheap labor!” she laughs.

Creating the collections, which now consists of coats, jackets, dusters, blazers, skirts, vests, denim (vintage Levi’s that are embellished with patchwork) and even scrunchies (no piece of fabric goes to waste) was a learning process. Elizabeth and her team became pros at cleaning and repairing quilts. “It’s a labor-intensive

The back of the duster Elizabeth wears on the cover is embellished with an eagle, which gained prominence when the bald eagle appeared on the Great Seal of the U.S. in 1782 and was named the country’s official bird in 1792. The eagle motif was widely used on quilts throughout the 1800s, its popularity escalating in 1876, America’s Centennial.

Here, Elizabeth pairs a slim shortie jacket with a long skirt, both of which were repurposed from a Log Cabin quilt.

The Log Cabin is an iconic quilt pattern that pays homage to America’s pioneer spirit. The pattern was especially popular during the 1860s and is said to reference Abraham Lincoln, who was born in a log cabin. The block pattern begins with a red center (it represents a home’s hearth) that is surrounded by strips of fabric (representing logs).

Interior style note: Historic Rock Ford’s paint colors are based on hues that were discovered during the mansion’s restoration. Carpets and furnishings are reflective of the period, as well.

process,” she says. Finishing touches also became a focal point. “I’m really, really a purist, plus I’m OCD,” she reports. Thus, she is adamant that vintage buttons, bindings, etc. are needed to complete a piece. “Those finishing touches are what set Lady Lancaster apart,” she says.

As her collections continue to evolve, Elizabeth has one goal she is firm on maintaining and that is to create clothing that is size-inclusive. “I want my buyers to feel emotion when they try on one of my pieces,” she stresses. “I think that because the pieces flatter the

female body, those who wear them look and feel beautiful, no matter their size and shape.”

GO WEST

For the 112,000 who follow Lady Lancaster on Instagram, they’ve undoubtedly noticed that collections have taken on a Western vibe. That’s not by accident. Elizabeth spends summers in Idaho, where some cousins she is close to reside. She also attended college in Idaho. “The West is in my DNA,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed exploring that side of my family history. I’ve discovered cowboys are real!”

A fascination with the stars was shared by both Native and pioneer cultures, as their depiction on quilts and textiles represented cultural traditions, the spirit world, unity, guidance and heritage. Lady Lancaster debuted a USA250 collection in June that included this duster that was made with Batik fabric and then quilted. Lady Lancaster calls the pattern Eternal Star.

Trips through the West have enabled her to expand her brand. She now has a showroom in Round Top, Texas, a small town that is known for its “country chic” vibe and hosts two antiques fairs each year that draw huge crowds. Her pieces have been seen in ads for the company Double D Ranch and she has had trunk shows at the Kemo Sabe store in Aspen. She’s also a devotee of Indian Market, the show that is hosted by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts in Santa Fe each August (it’s now in its 104th year). Through Indian Market, Elizabeth has forged relationships with textile artists such as Jimmy Dean Horn Jr. (Chickasaw), as well as jewelry makers from the Santo Domingo tribe (northern New Mexico), who are renowned for their turquoise and shell jewelry. She is now making their products available to customers.

FORGING AHEAD

Lady Lancaster now has three divisions: collections made from antique quilts, custom pieces (perhaps using quilts clients

may have) and future heirlooms that are made with modern fabrics that are purchased locally and then quilted. “I refer to Lady Lancaster creations as ‘wearable art,’ and I think customers recognize and appreciate that the quilts we use are responsibly repurposed,” Elizabeth says. “We’re creating clothing that tells a story. I feel a kinship with the women who created them. There’s a feeling of power that comes with wearing something that tells a story.”

Elizabeth also likes to think that she is playing a part in helping to revive the quilt market.

“For a while, it was in the tank, but prices are

rebounding,” she notes. “I think it’s due to social media and people like me who are making quilts relevant again by giving them a new purpose.” Elizabeth dips back into her research, noting that while quilts are a world-wide phenomenon, “there’s nothing like a quilt that was made in the USA,” she says. “They are part of who we are. They are a part of our history.” Because of those sentiments, Lady Lancaster pieces are accompanied by tags that declare, “Warning: This jacket will stop traffic!” The tags also include the backstories and any other relevant information about the quilts from which the pieces were made.

It’s said that history repeats itself and, in this case, quilts that were originally made as a labor of love are being repurposed with that same sense of care and love thanks to a Lancaster native whose creative spirit continues to thread itself in new directions.

Visit Lady Lancaster online (Ladylancaster.com) and through social media.

This version of The Aunt Ethel was made from a quilt that dates to the 1880-1920 period. The pattern is called Starburst and is composed of shirt scraps, indigo and other fabrics indicative of the period. A shawl collar defines The Aunt Ethel. While Lady Lancaster relies on antique quilts to create wearable art, Elizabeth says there are instances in which she will draw the line and not deconstruct a quilt she deems too valuable.

On the cover: The duster, which is associated with the American West, was made from a quilt that dates to the 1960s-’70s. The pattern was released by the company Paragon during that time period and was seen on the cover of Good Housekeeping magazine. The pattern, which celebrates Americana, employed quilting and applique techniques. Like many Lady Lancaster creations, this one is lightweight.

About HISTORIC ROCK FORD

Historic Rock Ford is home to a mansion that is considered to be one of the state’s finest surviving examples of Georgian architecture. Once the home of General Edward Hand and his family, the estate dates to 1785, when the Irish-born Hand, who became a physician, Continental Army officer and politician, purchased 160 acres along the Conestoga River just south of Lancaster City (another 17 acres were purchased in 1792). The house was built in 1794, as were other buildings that supported the working farm.

After Hand’s death in 1802, the property became a tenant farm, remaining so until the 1950s, when the house was slated to be demolished and property turned into a trash incineration plant. In 1957, The Junior League of Lancaster stepped in and purchased the property and began the work of restoring the mansion. In 1958, the property was entrusted to the Rock Ford Foundation, which continued the restoration work.

A museum since 1960, Historic Rock Ford is now home to the fully refurbished mansion, a large kitchen garden, archeological sites, a restored barn that is used for museum events as well as weddings and other gatherings, and the John J. Snyder Jr. Gallery, where examples of 18th century decorative arts are on display.

Historic Rock Ford has designed an impressive slate of events to celebrate America250 that includes lectures, music, dance, family activities, theatre, film and more. An Independence Day celebration will be held July 2 and 3.

For details, visit historicrockford.org

FROM THE HEADWATERS DOWN

Small Towns and Adventures

Along the Susquehanna River

BY MICHAEL C. UPTON

The Susquehanna headwaters form at the southernmost point of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York.

Maps intrigue me. I trace the lines representing roads and waterways, finding questions about life and topography, and dreaming about how I might get there myself. One afternoon, I followed the Susquehanna River on Google Maps as it ran through New York and Pennsylvania, and I decided tracing the online map with my cursor was not enough. I set out to find the Susquehanna’s source and, over several years, visit a few small river towns.

Fromits headwaters in Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York, to our own stretch separating Lancaster and York counties, this is the river’s journey south. Along my segmented road trip, I found the echoes of baseball legends and brewing magnates, forgotten landscapes and thriving hamlets, and a renewed respect for the river. It flows through the spirit of every Lancastrian. Whether Susquehanna appears in a local business name or serves as recreation, a landmark or pastime, we all share a fundamental connection to this waterway.

The Headwaters

The lobby of the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York, offers an overlook of Otsego Lake, its pristine shoreline preserved by the Cooperstown Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the district protects the area made famous by The Last of the Mohicans author James Fenimore Cooper. In novels like The Deerslayer, Cooper fictionalized the names of families (including his own) and landmarks; he called the lake Glimmerglass (now the name of the area’s premiere theatre festival). As far as I know, Otsego is the only lake, in its entirety, protected as an historic place.

“This area has a strong tradition of conservation,” says Dr. Florian Reyda, director of SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station, when we met at the resort under the vaulted ceilings

and among appointments harkening back to the opulence of yesteryear. Massive windows and doors lead to a spacious porch where couples sit on white wooden rockers enjoying the still morning and sprawling lakeside view. “Our greatest asset in this region is access to nature … and the lake is constantly changing.”

Florian’s research at SUNY explores aquatic biodiversity and evolution, with fieldwork spanning from New York to South America. He works closely with undergraduate researchers at the nearby field station to gather deeper insights into the lake’s ecosystem. Joining us is Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000, an environmental preservation nonprofit established in 1981 by a descendant of Cooper to safeguard the lake’s – and Cooperstown’s – landscape.

“We are about the whole of the environment, including our forests, farms, buildings … which surround the lake,” says Ellen, unfolding a handdrawn map of the historic district from a massive binder. The area surrounding the lake – from the lawn of this Historic Hotel of America to the ridgeline dotted with sugar maples and American beech trees – is protected by Otsego 2000. The National Registry designation cites Cooper’s literary connection with the lake and gives the nonprofit teeth to fight encroachment by the state or private developers. “The lake and the village are connected. And everything is connected to the water.… Our citizenry is very much aware of the area’s connection to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.”

Florian nods and adds, “My kids grew up in the Unatego Central School District (25 miles south of Cooperstown), and their school song is about the Susquehanna. There are a lot of human changes as you go down the river, and we take pride in the headwaters and the quality of our water.”

After our meeting, I gathered the family, and we walked the half mile to where the lake forms the Susquehanna. Surrounded by a small park, the spot provides a couple of relaxing benches, some historic plaques and a marker established by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission on May 18, 1995. It reads:

This marker signifies the point where the beautiful Susquehanna River begins its 444-mile journey to meet the Chesapeake Bay

Six miles south of the headwater marker, the river – still only a narrow spat – makes its first windings through fertile farmland and skirts Brewery Ommegang. Every beer aficionado knows of this spot “where Heaven met Earth and stayed a while.” When it opened in 1996, the Belgian-inspired brewery became synonymous with quality and a destination for beer pilgrimages. “We brew good beer here, and I think it has a lot to do with the quality of our water,” I remember Florian saying earlier. After stopping in for a flight and dinner during my stay in Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame), I completely agree.

Farther south down the river, the first industrial dam of the waterway forms Goodyear Lake in Milford, New York. Leaving the lake, the river crosses under and follows busy I-88 as it runs from Schenectady southwest to Binghamton, eventually turning along I-86 and into the town of Owego.

Susquehanna, PA

But before reaching Binghamton, the river quickly dips into Pennsylvania for 15 miles, cutting through State Game Lands and the towns of Lanesboro, Susquehanna and Hallstead in Susquehanna County. Last year, while driving north toward the Thousand Islands, I detoured to see the Starrucca Viaduct.

The modern megalith serves as a railroad bridge and stretches 1,040 feet across Starrucca Creek near Lanesboro. Its 17 bluestone arches have carried trains since 1848 (making it one of the oldest railroad bridges still in active use in the United States). The arches make a monumental rise from the neighborhood while kids play, and folks work on old cars in the towering shadows created by the 100foot columns. The formation is one of America’s earliest uses of structural concrete, which is dressed in a stone exterior and took 800 laborers one year to construct. When a train rumbles overhead, the site is part thunder, part poetry and entirely Pennsylvanian.

Cooperstown

Owego, NY

In 2023, I took the family on a ski trip to New York’s Finger Lakes region and diverted to the village of Owego for an afternoon. This is a place where geography and daily life are in tune. Its name comes from the Iroquois word ahwaga, meaning “where the valley widens,” and the Susquehanna opens noticeably as it passes beneath the lantern-lit Court Street Bridge into a walkable downtown. Brick storefronts, antique shops (Early Owego Antique Center), cafés (Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar), breweries (Lucky Hare), and steady foot traffic give Owego an easy charm, while the river is never more than a few blocks away.

Leaving Owego, the river dips into Pennsylvania east of Sayre, Bradford

Clockwise from top left: Good vibes and great beers can be found at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown.

residents respect the importance of a healthy river system, and placards throughout town help to educate tourists.

An aerial view of Lake Augusta in Sunbury. Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau photo. The river runs near a now colorful Concrete City, an early 20th century ghost town.

County, where it joins the Chemung River. Here, the Susquehanna begins to resemble the widened expanse familiar to Lancastrians.

Towanda & French Azilum

Crossing back into Pennsylvania, my family and I searched for coffee and found ourselves in Towanda. We stopped at The Community Cup Coffee & Tea House. Towanda is a cool little town. It reminds us of Mount Joy, and we put this place on our “return someday” list.

Twenty minutes east sits one of the state’s most unique wonders, the French Azilum Historic Site near Wyalusing, Bradford County. In 1793, political refugees – perhaps including Marie Antoinette – planned to flee revolutionary violence in France to a 300-acre community along a bend in the Susquehanna. Thirty of the 50 homes were constructed, but economic and political factors caused the new town to fail. Today, the French Azilum nonprofit maintains 20 of the original acres and a small museum with artifacts from the site. Three miles east from State Route 187, the French Azilum is a great side quest on a family road trip. Pack a lunch!

Concrete City

Lured by images on Instagram, I dragged my family through wet spring woods to a forgotten world. Well, judging by the amount of graffiti art, this place is not entirely forgotten but merely hidden to most. In Luzerne County, the river runs swiftly through coal country, and echoes of a prolific past are found in Nanticoke’s ghost town, Concrete City.

Built in 1911 as housing for railroad workers, the development originally featured 22 concrete duplexes with a courtyard, swimming pool and ball fields, a step up from the wooden “shanties” prevalent with most company housing of the time. As ambitious as these precursors to Brutalist architecture were, the houses were riddled with problems, and the village was abandoned in 1924. Costs to demolish the buildings still outweigh the suspected results, so they stand as historic testaments, urban canvas and playground.

There is no designated parking along Hanover Street, and we found the entrance to a trail by spotting a spray-painted boulder. After a half-hour trek, we came across what remains – a dozen skeletons of what used to be

homes now emblazoned with a colorful mix of urban art, expressionism (some foul), and names and initials. An uneasy exhilaration filled us after an hour of kicking around the rubble, so I snapped some photos, posted a selfie to social media, and we headed out.

Sunbury

In Sunbury, the Susquehanna River meets the West Branch Susquehanna River, and the town has adopted the nickname: The Heart of the Susquehanna River. We stopped by in 2024 to visit two of Sunbury’s claims to fame, Fort Augusta and The Edison.

Built in 1756 on the site of the Native American village of Shamokin, Fort Augusta became Pennsylvania’s largest frontier fort during the French and Indian War. The structure later served as headquarters for American forces during the Revolution. Today, the nearby Hunter House – home to the Northumberland County Historical Society – preserves the quiet history of a forming nation.

Sunbury was in the PA history books before Thomas Edison arrived in July 1883, but the Wizard of Menlo Park gave the city a claim no place on earth

Chief Uncas, named after an historical figure in the works of American writer James Fenimore Cooper, now calls Long Level home and tours the Susquehanna after having once been an electric entertaining vessel for the Busch family.

could match. By wiring electricity to the City Hotel and nearby railroad station, Edison helped make Sunbury the first place in the world illuminated by the technology. The achievement brought international attention to the city, and eventually the hotel was renamed The Edison in his honor. Unfortunately, the hotel is not as bright as I imagined it would be. Its restaurants are closed, and rooms are let as long-term apartments, but there is a nice brass marker on the exterior detailing its past glory.

Millersburg To Harrisburg

PA Route 147 hugs the river south from Sunbury to Millersburg, where quiet streets and small-town endurance prevail. The historic Millersburg Ferry still links past and present – it is a 15to 25-minute trip for cars, bikes and

pedestrians to cross the Susquehanna by boat. Just outside of town, the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is less like a museum and more like an extension of the woods themselves. Named for Millersburg’s celebrated wildlife artist and naturalist Ned Smith, the center sits on 500+ acres of forest specked with meadows and streams.

The Susquehanna is the largest commercially non-navigable waterway in North America. And even though the river played an important part in the industrialization of southeastern PA in places like Steelton and Harrisburg, I often wonder how America would look if big ships could make their way north from the Chesapeake Bay to cities like Columbia, Duncannon and Selinsgrove. In comparison, the commercially navigable Ohio River provides 35

percent of the nation’s overwater commerce, helping to build cities like Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Louisville.

Columbia/Wrightsville

I once read how Columbia, Lancaster County’s largest river town, might mimic New York City in size and prosperity had the Susquehanna been navigable for commerce. Even a more conservative estimation of 10x the current population of Columbia would create a city the size of Trenton. The same might be said for our across-the-river neighbor Wrightsville, York County, which is home to an amazingly unique tie to the Susquehanna’s headwaters.

On a sunny August day in 2025, I boarded Chief Uncas, a 1912 Elco Motor Yacht heading out from its berth in Wrightsville on a leisurely

Clockwise from top left:

A plaque marks the start of the Susquehanna and its 444-mile voyage to the Chesapeake Bay.

James Fenimore Cooper named the still lake Glimmerglass in his novels, which ultimately helped the residents of Cooperstown protect the area via the National Register of Historic Places.

Writer Michael C. Upton pauses for a selfie at the Starrucca Viaduct in Susquehanna, PA.

and informational cruise on the Susquehanna. The original price tag on this electric boat (made at a time when few had electric in their homes) was $100,000 ($3 million adjusted for today). The original owner, Adolphus Busch (yes, the beer baron), bought the boat for his summer house on Otsego Lake. Busch loved the Cooperstown area because it reminded him of Germany, and it was home to his 1,000-acre Hager Hops farm.

Stepping aboard felt like entering another era. Honduran mahogany gleams, a glass cabinet by Tiffany shines with extravagance, and amenities like a cocktail bar detail the opulence of this all-electric watercraft. High-back wicker chairs have been replaced with benches more suitable for tour groups, and as we drift up the river – and drift

is appropriate as Chief Uncas has a top speed of 8 mph – a docent from the Susquehanna National Heritage Center provides history on the boat, passing land features, and a selection of curated images. I learned the Susquehanna, estimated to be 330-340 million years old, is older than the Nile.

The center, which holds an affiliation with the National Park Service, bought the cruiser in 2021 from the great grandson of Adolphus Busch for $75,000 plus renovation costs. It is the only 1912 Elco Motor Yacht in operation today. The namesake of the vessel honors the 17th-century Mohegan chief who is portrayed in Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohicans. Today, Chief Uncas travels our stretch of the river via hourlong discovery tours (Thursday through Sunday), themed experiences and

private rides. The boat departs from the Zimmerman Center for Heritage located at 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville.

The Story Continues

Ultimately, the Susquehanna sweeps south and enters into the Chesapeake Bay at Havre de Grace, Maryland. Our river provides 50 percent of the bay’s freshwater inflow. Trickling down from James Fenimore Cooper’s Glimmerglass, the river tells the tale of humanity more than any novel could capture. We are a part of its story just as much as the fish and fowl, small towns, and boats who make it their home.

FarM TO TAble DinNeR

It Takes a Village

Established in 1840, The Inn at Twin Linden, which is located along Route 23 in Churchtown, has been owned by Kyra and Mike Scalea since 2022. One Saturday a month from May through October, the inn and a notable percentage of the village’s citizenry gather to present and sample the best the local area has to offer through a six-course, farm-to-table dinner series.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JORDAN BUSH

Set against the backdrop of the Welsh Mountains, dinner is typically held on the lawn that overlooks rolling fields that turn golden in the evening sun. Those whose backs are to the fields are not deprived of scenic vistas, as they have a view of the inn’s gorgeous gardens. On those occasions, a long table and 40 chairs are set up beneath string lights. Adding to the ambiance are chickens who wander about searching for dropped morsels.

For the May dinner, the windy and cool weather prompted a move into the barn for a more comfortable evening. It, too, is pure Lancaster County.

THE MENU CHANGES over the course of the season, depending on specialty items available at local farm stands and producers. “Dinner is based on what [the chefs] find on Friday,” says Mike. “Beef comes from a local Amish [cattle producer] down the street, Anthony Martin Meats,” he continues.

CHEF JOHN BANES and sous chef Don Maue spend days preparing for the dinner. From planning the menu

to shopping locally for ingredients, the prep work begins on Friday after sourcing ingredients at all the local stops is completed. On Saturday morning, they arrive at 10 a.m. for the 6 p.m. dinner, where they’ll be working until after 9 p.m. Because the duo have been working together in restaurants since 1998, so much of the cooking happens without a need to verbally communicate with each other. Recently, Chef Banes launched Twin Linden Catering for events away from the inn. “It’s another branch of the Twin Linden tree,” he explains.

The ”Mayor” to the Rescue

At the Inn, as well as in Churchtown, intersecting worlds combine to create a sense of community. When Kyra and Mike took ownership of the inn, having moved there from Chester County in 2022, they immediately discovered the depth of caretaking at hand. They soon learned that anytime a specialized need arose, all they needed to do was look to their local community for solutions.

One name that kept popping up was

Harvey Shirk, who lives across the field from the inn and is a “retired” farmer who knows everyone and where to go for seemingly everything. “Harvey Shirk is like the mayor around here,” says Mike. “One day he came to us, knocked on the door, and said, ‘Hi, I’m Harvey Shirk.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m supposed to meet you! Thank you for coming over,” Mike recounts.

Harvey has a knack for connecting the inn to all the best resources and people around Churchtown (and beyond). This is the kind of wisdom acquired through a lifetime of personal connections and knowledge that can’t be obtained any other way. For example, a fan motor recently needed to be repaired for one of the rooms. Harvey unmounted the motor from the ceiling, looked it over, and handed it to Mike with a slip of paper containing an address. Trusting Harvey, Mike followed the directions to a nondescript machine shop in New Holland that Mike admits he otherwise would have never found. They were expecting Mike’s arrival and were able to repair the motor.

Place

Established in 1840, The

been

Emmie put hosta leaves to use for seating assignments.

The cool and windy weather prompted a pivot to the events barn, where table linens, fresh flowers and vintage tableware greeted guests. Chef John Banes (left) and sous chef Don Maue begin plating the salad course.

Clockwise from top left:

settings and floral arrangements were styled by Mike and Kyra’s daughter Emmie Diluzio.

Kyra (left) with a few of the Amish girls from the Churchtown community who assist with dinner service.

Inn at Twin Linden has

owned by Kyra and Mike Scalea since 2022.

Perfectly seared fillet mignon are removed from the grill.

On

T He

MeNu

1. The first course was billed as a “Bite.” Bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese from Shellbark Hollow Farm in Honey Brook, and finished with a balsamic glaze created a dish that was salty and sweet with smoky notes and a decadent texture.

2. The second course was an Appetizer Trio that’s sure to please. A beef Wellington spring roll, with Dijonette and finely minced meat, was savory and tangy. The roasted-tomato bruschetta was comprised of bright diced tomato, micro greens and crispy bruschetta. Finally, the wild berry goat cheese tartlet delivered bright acidity, subtle sweetness, creamy filling and the perfect flaky crunch.

3. The third course was comprised of Salad. Ingredients included organic greens from the inn’s garden, sliced honey crisp apples, pickled red onion, candied pecans, feta cheese and strawberry champagne vinaigrette. The juicy and sweet apples, salty feta against the fresh lettuce, candied pecans and pickled onions made for a refreshing and complex dish.

4. 3. 6.

4. The fourth course focused on Meat. Grass-fed, pan-seared filet mignon was paired with roasted cauliflower, sweet potato puree and spring herb chimichurri. Breaking my seven-year beef fast, the medium fillet was tender, juicy and satisfying. The herb chimichurri complemented it well. The roasted cauliflower was a little sweet and not dry, creating a pleasing texture. The sweet potato puree was the best sweet potato anything I’ve ever tasted; extremely simple, not overdone with sweetness.

5. The fifth course featured Fish. Oven-roasted salmon with saffron tomato was accompanied by Jasmine rice, sautéed spinach, kale and white wine lemon crab butter.

6. Finally, the sixth course, Dessert! Spring Berry Trifle was made with vanilla-bean angel food cake, topped with fresh berry trio, lemon Chantilly cream, fresh mint and lemon zest. Served in small mason jars, the berryforward dessert was a delight, with a bright lemon zest and mint finish.

It Takes a Village

Officially, Churchtown doesn’t have a mayor, and technically, the inn’s address has been listed as Narvon ever since Churchtown’s post office closed. Whether you call it Churchtown or Narvon, it’s the locals who define the community whose first settlers were of Welsh heritage.

“The people who grew up here are the kindest, most helpful people I’ve ever met,” says Kyra. “They know everybody, they know where everything is. You can get anything you need. Everyone helps each other out,” she continues. “There’s something extra special about everyone coming together to host the dinner,” she notes. “Our staff, our neighbors, it is so awesome to have them help us represent The Twin Linden and Churchtown to our guests. The farmers, the growers, the neighborhood folks, we like to welcome everybody. It’s the best of Churchtown, presented by Churchtown,” she continues.

WHEN IT COMES to the inn’s success, the gracious hosts can’t help but look around at their community support system. “There are way more people who work here than just those who were here tonight,” says Kyra. “The people who help take care of the grounds, buildings, painting… It’s all local people.”

Family is also heavily involved. Chef Banes is Kyra’s brother. Her nephew Jack is their electrician, while Jack’s girlfriend Jennie oversees the inn’s social media. They’ve had cousins, nieces and in-laws as part of the service team. For the May dinner, Mike and Kyra’s daughter, Emmie, working with Terrain and Table Designs in Elverson, took charge of the table décor, including the floral arrangements, with product procured from Legacy Acres Family Farm. Even children from the surrounding Plain community pitch in. Their giggles and whispers echo all the way down the steps, as they help carry plated courses to the dinner table and empty plates

back to the kitchen. After dinner, they gather for their own meal shared with everyone who participated that evening.

EVENTUALLY, THE EVENING grows calm and quiet. Some nights, Mike will light a fire for guests to enjoy before heading home or retiring to their rooms at the inn. Conversations among guests wind down, and in the kitchen, all the dishes are washed, ready to serve another day. As to when the innkeepers get to relax, “I will start having my glasses of wine soon,” says

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.

Kyra invites the Churchtown neighborhood kids who helped with the dinner to join the staff meal that is served at the conclusion of dinner service.

Kyra as the evening comes to a close. It is a well-earned reward.

AS FOR A REVIEW: You couldn’t pick a better spot. This countryside inn was made for summer.

The Menu … the Best of Summer

Twin Linden’s menu follows a sixcourse format, comprised of seasonally available food gathered from around the Churchtown area. Inspired by each new harvest, the menu is often edited to make room for last-minute inclusions

whenever fresh delights are found. On this occasion, Harvey Shirk’s family provided five pounds of asparagus. The season’s first strawberries (picked from the inn’s strawberry patch) were also a late addition.

“We’re trying to take these ingredients and make them the best we can, with the season and setting in mind,” says Chef Banes. “We let the flavors speak for themselves. Keep it simple, keep it honest,” he theorizes. By the evening’s end, every inch of the kitchen had been utilized, and they didn’t seem to break a sweat. “[Don] tries to stay

behind the scenes,” says Chef Banes. “He says he’s in witness protection, but we gotta give him props.”

Tickets

The Inn at Twin Linden’s dinners are open to the public. Cocktails are complimentary, with the option for guests to bring wine or beer. A hat is passed at the end of the night as a thank you to the staff. The next dinner will be held July 25.

For details, visit innattwinlinden.com or call 484-319-5884.

Clockwise from top left:

The inn’s event barn serves as a quaint countryside backup for dinners when inclement weather is anticipated.

Chef John Banes greets guests, walking them through May’s six-course menu. Guests could enjoy the inn’s gardens before and after dinner.

Table for Two

The Place to Chill

Ice cream and summer make for the perfect pairing and Decades in Lancaster has the spot to enjoy both – The Ice Cream Bar, which is located on the lawn that fronts the building. Since July is National Ice Cream Month, it’s the perfect time to visit and indulge.

BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DECADES

Making its debut in 2019, Decades offers upscale casual fare, entertainment in the form of retro arcade games and bowling, and an events space, all of which make their home in repurposed space at the former Stahr Armory along North Queen Street in Lancaster. New to the offerings is an

outdoor area called The Ice Cream Bar. Perfect for Date Night or an evening out with friends, the space is casual in design, as it’s furnished with Adirondack chairs and picnic and umbrella-topped tables. Lawn games such as cornhole also comprise the space.

Unlike most restaurants in the city, Decades is unique in that it boasts a front lawn area that until now was under-utilized. “We wanted to upgrade that area,” says Jonathan Yeager, whose business partners include Chris Trendler and Adam Ozimek. The trio, who have been friends since elementary school, are also partners in Joycat Ventures, which produces events such as the upcoming Lancaster

Craft Beer Fest. Chris credits the pandemic for planting the seed of putting the lawn to better use. “During the pandemic, we put picnic tables on the front lawn. Then, about three years ago, we started thinking about how we could bring another experience to our guests,” he recalls. “We always felt the front of the building had more potential,” Jonathan adds.

LAUNCHED IN JUNE 2025, The Ice Cream Bar celebrated its grand reopening in April and will remain open through October, weather permitting. Chris notes that the popularity of The Ice Cream Bar prompted expanded seating and can now accommodate about 70. “During the first season, The

The Ice Cream Bar at Decades

The Coindexter Crunch flavor was inspired by Capt’n Crunch cereal.

Ice Cream Bar seemed to draw a lot of new customers to us. It works well with the rest of our experience,” he says.

“During the day we have a lot of families. We also have a take-out window, and we’ve seen neighbors come across the street for ice cream.”

THE ICE CREAM BAR’S menu features hand-dipped ice cream served in cake or waffle cones or in a dish. Milkshakes (both standard and boozy varieties) include flavors such as salted caramel espresso. There’s also a nondairy vanilla milkshake, which has a boozy counterpart. Frozen treats such as the Death by Chocolate Sundae, the Toasted Coconut Root Beer Float and Key Lime Pie Float are also available.

The Ice Cream Bar’s 12 ice cream flavors are mainly from Kreider Farms, but Decades also offers two house-made

flavors. They include the customer favorite Coindexter Crunch, a flavor inspired by Capt’n Crunch cereal, and a seasonal flavor. For summer, Coindexter Crunch is being joined by Mango Coconut Swirl, a house-made mango ice cream featuring coconut swirls.

Savory snacks are also available, as is iced coffee.

AS FOR THE BAR MENU, the selection includes fan-favorite Decades cocktail pouches; four draft beers on tap; a variety of canned beer; Decades margaritas; and Shifty canned cocktails. (Shifty is the creator of canned cocktails produced by Lancaster’s Thistle Finch Distillery.) The two elements collaborate to create milkshake flavors such as the boozy chocolate screwball, tequila strawberry and spiked espresso.

THE FULL RESTAURANT MENU is available outdoors for seasonal dining. The offerings include wings (available in 11 flavors); finger foods including soft pretzel bites; and Decades’ signature tacos, salads, sandwiches and burgers, including the Decades cheeseburger and a vegan burger. Decades Ramen, mac-and-cheese egg rolls and ravioli are also specialties of the house.

Decades is located at 438 North Queen St., Lancaster. Hours through Labor Day are Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday, 12 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Hours for The Ice Cream Bar are Wednesday through Friday, 4-9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12-9 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Call 717-282-1421 or visit decadeslancaster.com or Facebook.

Decades’ owners are, left to right, Adam Ozimek, Chris Trendler and Jonathan Yeager. The three have been friends since childhood.

Decades’ popular cocktail pouches are available at The Ice Cream Bar.

No matter your pleasure – beer, ice cream or canned cocktails – The Ice Cream Bar has it.

In The Neighborhood In The Neighborhood

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REUZIT ON STATE

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COLUMBIA RE-UZIT SHOP

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Art History with BOB WAGNER

BY GEORGE DEIBEL

Bob Wagner is a part of history. A bell featuring his artwork will be displayed throughout 2026 outside the Ann B. Barshinger Welcome Center at Historic Rock Ford. The bell is part of an exhibit being held statewide in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Last year, Bob received a notice that Discover Lancaster was in search of an artist who could create artwork for Lancaster County’s bell. “I thought it sounded kind of neat, so I submitted some ideas,” says Bob, who was ultimately given the assignment and with it, a two-month deadline to complete it.

Soon, a white, 65-pound fiberglass bell was delivered to Bob’s home. Wanting to make it resemble the Liberty Bell, he applied a gold-hued paint to the bell. As for the decorative elements, he recycled some favorite artwork he had done over the years for sites such as the Heritage Center (now downtown’s Welcome Center and the center of government when Lancaster was America’s capital for a day on September

27, 1777) and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and organizations such as the Lancaster Farmland Trust and the Lancaster Bicycle Club. New artwork was created for Historic Rock Ford and the Thaddeus Stevens house. An image of the Hunsicker Covered Bridge was created with the help of Bob’s son, who supplied drone photos of the bridge. Printed copies of the artwork were then applied to the bell using a blow torch.

Creating Lancaster-focused artwork and illustrations has been part of Bob’s life and career since graduating from Millersville University. As part of his first job with the Lancaster County Planning Commission, Bob utilized his artistic skills to create an illustration that became the seal of Lancaster County. The familiar seal, which

was commissioned for the county’s 250th anniversary in 1979, entails a folk art-style heart that is inset with a Conestoga Wagon. “I had to study blueprints to get it to scale,” he recalls of the covered wagon. “The seal is still used today, and that’s what’s on the front of the bell. If you have your voter registration card, it has the original pen-andink drawing on it that I did in 1979. I guess you could say they got their money’s worth,” he jokes.

The bell is among the more than 100 that comprise “Bells Across PA,” an informal, self-guided trail that encompasses each of the state’s 67 counties. Each one is unique, colorful, intriguing and meaningful to its specific area. Bob’s bell was unveiled at Historic Rock Ford in early December and will remain on view through 2026. “Discover Lancaster will be celebrating the semiquincentennial all year long, promoting our historical sites, trails and events,” Bob explains. “It’s headlined by a free, countywide ‘America’s Passport,’ encouraging visitors to collect unique stamps at 23 historic properties and receive exclusive coupons to local businesses. The bell at Historic Rock Ford is one of the sites on this special trail.” In addition, more of Bob’s work is on display in Discover Lancaster’s art gallery.

Now semi-retired, Bob spends his time painting and taking part in local exhibits. He’s also a devoted volunteer with WriteFace, an organization founded by Scott Hower that provides veterans and their families with creative outlets such as art, writing, poetry and more. “I’m a veteran,” he says of his service with the 103rd Medical Battalion in the National Guard, “so it means a lot to me to help my fellow vets and their families.”

As for America’s 250th, Bob is honored to be playing a role in the festivities. “I’m very proud,” he says. “I’m a native of Lancaster, and I am happy to see my artwork [at Historic Rock Ford] and to be part of the story that can bring us all together to celebrate and have fun for the 250th anniversary.”

Historic Rock Ford is located at 881 Rockford Rd., Lancaster. The bell can be viewed during regular hours. Visit Historicrockford.org for details.

Other websites of interest include:

Bob Wagner at Grobertwagner.com

Bells Across PA at America250pa.org

Discover Lancaster at Discoverlancaster.com

WriteFace at Writeface.org

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