Fa mil yO ff ic eS er vic es
As manyofour clients’ lives grow in complexity and affluence, we at RegalWealthAdvisorsare making changes to better meetthose evolving needs in an effective and comprehensiveway
We will soon adopt afamily office model, whichoffers a broad array of services thatgo farbeyondour traditional financial planning and investment managementservices.
Afamily office integrates financial planning, investment management,tax consulting,tax return preparation, and estate planning,all under one roof.This unified approach ensures thatthe manypiecesof our clients’ financial lives arestrategically working together.
Here arejustafew advantages of the familyoffice:
•Personalized service: Tailored strategies built around your family’suniquegoals, values and generationalneeds.
•Centralized management: Consolidatesadvisors, accountants and legal professionals forstreamlineddecision-making.
•Long-term planning: Helps preservewealthacrossgenerations,withan emphasis on legacy and succession.
•Privacyand discretion: Operateswith the highest levelofconfidentiality—critical forfamilies with complexfinancialaffairs.
Eversince Regalwas founded just afew shor yearsago,wehavegrown substantially becau as we believe, we have always placedthe nee of our clients first.Our move to afamily offic model represents another step in ourongoin evolution of delivering the best service possible forour clients.
We encourageyou to explorewhether afami office is right foryou and your family.Pleas feel free to contactour advisory team today to learn more aboutthisnew, excitingopportunity.
Regal Wealth Advisors- PA 108FoxshireDrive,Suite 2 Lancaster, PA 17601 717-205-1850
Regal Wealth Advisors- FL 1990 Main Street,Suite 750 Sarasota,FL34236 www.regal-wealth.com
BALANCEMAGAZINE 28
6Stitch and Save - By MikeAlbrigh How
12 Beginner ’s Cluck - By Krista Lock Discoverthe joys of raising backyar and howtodoit.
20 Plight of the Pollinators - By Sall PainterChristine Mercer-Vernonc art with adeeper message.
28 Destination Downtown- By Sally Whyretirees arechoosing to startt chapter in Lancaster city.
DANISH DESIGN COMFORT
BALANCE MAGAZINE
Balance has been the most fun I have ever had on the job, working with an incredible team, learning new things, meeting new people. It’s been a joy, and our summer issue is no exception. We are learning about backyard chickens on page 12, gazing at the breathtaking florals and pollinator art by our very own Christine Mercer-Vernon on page 20, exploring the city scene with retirees on page 28, and getting trendy with visible mending techniques on page 6. This is my last issue as part of the Balance team, but I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the fall issue As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy all things summer
Lindsey McCallum | Editor-in-Chief | Balance@lnpnews.com
Published by
General Manager: Chris Fidler
Editor-in-Chief: Lindsey McCallum
Creative Direction: Erica Feltenberger, Amy Rodriguez
Content Editor: Margaret Gates
Design: Jenny Althouse, Krystal Hummer, Christine Mercer-Vernon, Allie Miller, Amy Rodriguez, Bailey Watro
Photography: Quinn Staley, Vinny Tennis
Writers: Mike Albright, Margaret Gates, Krista Lockwood, Sally Reynolds
Production: Kim Buckwalter, Tim Trinh
Subscriptions to LNP|LancasterOnline: Call 717.291.8611
Advertise: Contact advertising@lnpnews.com or call 717.291.8800
P.O. Box 1328, Lancaster, PA 17608-1328
Copyright © 2025 LNP Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Pollinators are the subject of Christine Mercer-Vernon’s series of paintings. “The next generation of flowers is not possible without the pollinators. .”
Read and see more on page 20
Beat the heat and elevate your outdoor living with acustom-built roof structure— providing the perfect shadefor hot summer days. Entertain in style with abeautifully designed outdoor kitchen, making every gathering effortlessand enjoyable.
Photo by Quinn Staley
Photo by Quinn Staley
SEWfar, good
BY MIKEALBRIGHT
PHOTOSBYVINNY TENNIS
Ifind myself lately at acrossroads, and Imust make ahardchoice: Do Icontinuewearing abelovedpiece of oldclothing in public, or is it long pastthe pointofacceptancebyeven theloosest of social conventions?
One of my favoritejackets hasa broken zipper,buttons hanging by themeresuggestionofcottonthread, and holesinbothpockets that lead to theinner recessesoflining —where Iimagine asubstantial sumofloose changehas already gathered. YetasI recentlyretiredittothe closet with assorted cold-weather clothing, I foundmyself yearning to giveita reprievefromthe trashand make it last justalittlelonger.
My inabilitytosay goodbye to afavoritebit of clothing isn’tout of theordinary,and stems from both my frugality and senseof style. Ilooked fora newjacketbut didn’tfind anything I’dbehappy to replace theold one with, and I’ll admit to alingering nostalgic attractiontosomething I’ve owned fora long whilewhose fit stillfeels comfortableand complementary
We areliving in agrowing “Right to Repair ”movementfor thosewho resist discarding and repurchasing expensiveitems that,savefor a simplerepair,could have their usefulnessextended into asecond life.I’vebeen questioning whether Itruly need to throwthe oldjacket away,wondering if Icould rehabthis trusty companionintosomething refreshed, unique and, at least, acceptable to wear outinpublic. Butbreathing newlifeintobeloved clothes requires alittlebit of knowhowthathas been mostly lost on entire generations whocan buy
something newfor cheap —firstatthe departmentstore,thenthe malland now the online retailer
LauraTanzer understands this well andishelpingto teach amore sustainable and creativeway to approach clothing thathas becomeworn or ripped.Since 2004,she hastaught on awide varietyoftextile topics,from patternmaking to fashion illustration. Creativemending workshops are something relatively newinher repertoire, startingasvirtual classes during the pandemic and nowoffered in-personatthe Pennsylvania College of Art &Design andthe Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.
Tanzer is not surprised by my recenturgetorepairmy clothing. “Mendingrises in popularityduring times of rationing,” she says.“ World WarIIsaw abig spike in people ‘making do’ with the clothes they
had. It becamesomewhatofa competition between peoplewho would vie to become the best at it.”
Where to start
Forsomeone likeme, whoseexpertise startsand stopswiththreading aneedle, Tanzer encourages shedding inhibitions —“Learn simple stitches,either by hand or with amachine, andpractice on something ”— and tapping into your creative kid-self.
“Stitchescan be functional or decorative, or functional and decorative,” Tanzer says “A satinstitch canbeagood hybrid of both.”Satin stitches areused to create shapesusing parallel
stitches very closetogetherand are good forrepairing holes up to the size of anickel. Foranything larger,Tanzer recommends apatch
Patchescan come from almost anything —old pillowcases,dishcloths or scraps of old clothing past the point of repair.
Thatclothing beyond repair still haslife, says Cori Fisher,afashion designer basedinLancaster. Consider repurposing the material to make newfabric-baseditems,likequilts or teddy bears,orcreatesomething altogether uniquebydonating its best bits to another garment. Youcan create meaning,savemoneyand help the environmentwiththe value-added technique of upcycling.
Upcycling and mending your clothes areboth ways to go from being a bystander to an active participant in the fashion industry,whosetidal-liketrends exert aconstantforce on consumers.
“Everyone is affectedbythe fashion industry,” Fisher says.She suggests getting afew simple tools: seam ripper, measuring tape, scissors,cottonthread and needles.
“Startbylearning to sewa button,”she advises,noting it’s acommon mending need and the perfectentry pointto learning newskills and preserving what we have
Find your style
Mending clothes is one facetofFisher’s career anda creative outlet thatallows her to employan“imperfect, more abstractand playfulstyle,”she says Whenconsidering your ownpersonal style, Fisher says,“Thereare no real rules,orthereare as manyrules as youwant.”
Cori Fisher, afashion designerbased in Lancaster
Theartistic outcomeaside, sheputscareand thoughtinto eachgarment that she repairs. “I consider theparticular useand what wear and tear (the garment) willface That willdictate howImend it,” Fisher says.“If thejeans have abustedknee, that’s an area of high friction.I willuse a very sturdy fabric to back that worn area and make sure to be generouswithmy stitching so thegarmentwillendure.”
Considerationshouldbetaken when cleaning arepaired garment, which mayneed handwashing to preservethe mended area longer, shesays.
Once youget ahandle on thebasics, youcan move on to more decorative stitches and techniques,suchassashiko, astyle of Japaneseembroidery that uses coloredthread, traditionallywhite,to buildgeometric patterns on thefabric
withthe stitching. If thefabric itself is stillingoodcondition, but faded from repeatedwashing or sunlight, Fisher suggests dyeing it.She recommends Green MattersNatural DyeCo. in Gapas agreat resource that alsoprovides dyeing services and workshops.
Nottobeforgotten, shoescan also benefit from rehabilitation, whether it’s having them cobbled to repair structural damageorpainting them withnew color and designs to givethem acreativekick.
As formywell-worn jacket: This summer feelslikethe righttimeto begin my mending experimentation. I’ve already gotthe needles and thread, and that buttonthat’sbarelyholding on seems like agreat placetostart.Witha wealthofteachersand resources around LancasterCounty, Ifeel ready to make that jacketlastfor many yearslonger
Empower your financial future with a team that understands you. At Chestnut Street Investment Counsel, we specialize in helping women achieve peace of mind and financial independence.
Let’s plan your next chapter together.
SIP, SAVOR, and Relax
C’estLaVie is more than justaclevernamefor acharming restaurant at 18 N. Market St., acrossthe alley from Lancaster Central Market. It embodies the bubbly, carefree characterof the diningexperience.
From its warm tonesoforange,yellow andbrown to its whimsical decor inspired by French Post-Impressionist painter Toulouse-Lautrec and his colorful depictions of Parisian nightlife, C’estLaVie has theintimate, relaxed atmosphereofaEuropean bistro-and theartisanal menuto go withit.
Appealing to awiderange of tastes, selections include brick-ovenpizzas,fresh seafood, crab cakesand French comfortfoodsuch as French country chicken, French onion soup,classic bouillabaisse,BoeufBourguignon and sandwiches likeCroqueMadame— an upscaletwist on the classic ham and cheese featuring ham, Jidori egg andSwiss cheese on acroissant withbechamel sauce.
C’estLaVie is afun spot to enjoya mealwith aglass of wine,acocktail or adraft beer anytime of year,but it really comesaliveinthe springand summer,when youcan grab a cozy outdoortable under abright orangeumbrellaand enjoy the hustle and bustle of alively marketday.Ordineinside and still feel partofthe outdoors when they throwopenthe windows and doors
Thanks to its central location, C’estLaVie is also agreat placetorelax and dine beforeorafter aday of downtown shopping, astrollthrough the city’sgalleries,a showatThe Fulton or,ofcourse, atrip to Central Market.
Or stop by forhappyhourfrom3to6p.m.Tuesdaythrough Fridayand enjoythe $8 menuatthe barthatincludes pizzas, espresso martinis, wineand Prosecco
C’estLaVie has an all-daymenuand is open forlunch and dinner Tuesdaythrough Saturday. Thekitchen is open from 11 a.m.to9p.m.TuesdaytoThursdayand 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridayand Saturday. Duetoits proximity to Central Market, the LancasterCountyConvention Center andother downtownhot spots, the restaurant gets lots of foot traffic, so reservations arehighlyrecommended
C’estLaVie is part of the Vescor Hospitality Groupthat also manages TheBelvedereInn,401 Prime andJosephine’s in Lancastercity. Josephine’sisinthe same building as C’est La Vie.
Formoreinformation or reservations, call 717-299-7319orvisit clvlancaster.com.
A F lock of Your Own
Backyardchicken flocks have surged in popularity sincethe pandemic, drivenbyinterestin sustainability, reduction in foodcosts and arenewed connectiontofood.
laughing. “I can’tremember if we gottothe festival or not; Ifeel likewedidn’t.”
BrockHarkins,13, of Chester County,was inspired by a friend who had chickens.After some convincing,his mom, Becca,agreed they’dmakeamemorable birthdaygift.After weeksofresearch on breeds and care,theybroughtchicks home in 2023and raised them in abin with aheatlamp until theywereready forthe coop.
BY KRISTALOCKWOOD PHOTOGRAPHYBYKRISTALOCKWOOD, JILL BLAIR,AND OLIVIAWALTERS
“In 2020,when manyofusweresequestered …itseemed likeeveryone who could was getting birds,” says Emily Shoop,a Penn State Extensioneducatorwith expertiseinsmall-flock poultry.
ForOliviaWalters, of LancasterCounty,keeping chickens started on awhim.Whileheadingtothe WhoopiePie Festival in Strasburgone year,her family parked at aTractor Supply overflow lot.“ We went in to look around and then we just left the store with chicks,”she recalls,
Jill Blaire,ofYork, anutritionpractitioner,got her first flockbecauseshe wanted to have morecontrol over her food. “I want to be alittle bitmoresustainable, without havingtoworry aboutwhatI’m eating andwhereit’s coming from,”she says.
Many flockownerslearn howtocarefor their new feathered friends by referencing Facebook groups, hatchery catalogs, chicken blogs, Penn State Extension, and by seeking advice from friends who have birds.Most have foundthatraising chickens is easier than expected.
“You kind of just learn by trial and error,” Walterssays. “They’re kind of easyand self-sufficient.”
Getting Started
THELAW • Beforegetting chicks, it’s importanttocheck local zoning regulations.
“Every township/boroughisdifferent,”Shoop says.“Folksshould definitely contact their municipality well beforegetting birds.”
Somemunicipalitiesand HOAs have rules thatlimit or prohibit backyard flocks altogether. Ownersmay need to applyfor apermit,completea classorfollowspecific restrictions
The breeds• Thereare afew commonwaystoget started with chicks. Tractor Supplyisapopularoption becausecustomerscan pick chicksout in the store. Those looking forspecific breeds canorder directly from a hatchery.
Chicken breeds areoften chosen basedonqualities like temperament, egg production, noiselevel and appearance. Easter Eggersare popular fortheir colorful eggs,while Buff Orpingtons,nicknamed the “goldenretrieverofchickens,” areprized for their calm and friendly personalities.Silkies, the fluffychickens,are often chosen as pets, rather than egg layers.For thosewith close neighbors, quieter breedsare apractical choice
“Rhode Island Reds aregood because they ’requiet,they’re calm, they’re nice andtheylay alot ofeggs, one of the best producing,”Brock Harkins says
THE COSTS •“Most chicksthemselves arevery cheap,which is why we ended up with them,” Walterssays. “Themostexpensivething would have been the supplies forthe coop.”
Coops canvary drastically in cost.To save money, some flock ownersbuild their ownfromscratch or repurpose existing structures,while othersinvest in prebuilt coops.MarkLockwood,of Lancaster County,who has aflock of over 30 birds,kept his initial costs down by converting asecondhand shed into acoop.He acknowledged theupfrontcost wasthe biggest expense, but with the number of eggshis flock produces,“theypay forthemselves,” he says Severalchicken keeperssuggest it’sworth spending alittlemoreonahigh-qualitycoop to preventthe birds from escaping and keep themsafefrompredators.“ We liketosay that it’sthe most valuable home on our property,” Waltersjokes.
“I buyall organic, no soy, no corn feed; it’s definitely more expensive,”saysBlaire, who relies moreheavily on feed in winterbut will offsetcosts by letting her chickens free-rangeinthe summer to munch on bugs and grass.
Otherssupplementchicken feed with table scraps.“Anything thatIwould have composted before, Ican nowgivetothe chickens,sowe have virtually no food waste,”Walterssays, noting she will give them scratch(amixtureof grains and seeds), seeds,meal worms,greens and cabbages.She sometimes treats them to oatmealfor breakfast. “I think theyeat better than we do.”
Somecommon food scraps,suchasonions and unripe tomatoes,are toxic forchickens,sobesure to research whattheycan and cannot eat.
While the initial costcan be steep,ongoing expenses aregenerally manageable. Feed, bedding and health care vary depending on the owner’s preferences and the sizeof their flock. Some saythe expenses arebarely noticeable, whileothersestimatetheyspend about the same, or maybe more, than theywould on store-bought eggsfor their household
Although thereare exceptions,most backyard chicken keepersagree thatsavingmoneyoneggs is not theirprimary motivationfor keepinga flock.
“I think it took abouttwo and ahalf yearsto break even,”BeccaHarkins says.“Youdon’t want to do it justtosavemoney, becauseyou’re not goingto, butthe qualityofthe eggsare so much better. We eatalot of eggs,soIfeel like it kind of evens it out, if youignorethe initial investment.”
On the other hand, Lockwood gets about adozen eggsper dayfromhis largerflock, morethan enough forhis three-personhousehold. While he maynot be turning aprofit,he’snot spending moneyoneggseither.Between feeding his family and selling the extras to friends,the flock pays foritself
“Chicksboughtthis spring maynot layfor 17 or moreweeks,”Shoop says.“Addonthe cost of equipment,feed, building supplies, and your initial investmentmay heavilyoutweigh ‘cheap’ eggs.”
Since hens tend to layfewer eggsinthe winter, manyownersend up buying eggs during the colder months,which makes it toughtosay chickensactually save youmoney.
Caring for F locks
In theend,keepingchickens is about more than just fresh eggs. It’s about connecting withnature, buildingacloser bond withyour food source andcreating joyful momentsthatcomefrom caring for yourflock together.
“Time is the biggest barrier formost folks,”Shoop says.Chickens need daily attention, even during busysummersand freezing winterweather.Thatincludes providingfresh food, water, cleanbedding and supporting theoverall health of the flock.
Highly pathogenic avianinfluenzahas been aconcern sincethe outbreakbeginning in March2024. Avian flu is acontagious diseasethatprimarily affects birds, butcan also infect certain animals and, in rare cases, humans.
“(Theflu) has not seemed to impactbackyard flocksonthe scalethatithas commercial or mid-size flocks,”Shoopsays. “There’smanytheories aboutwhy small flocks aren’tassusceptible.Myopinion is thatsmall flocksare exposedtomuch more thancommercialones.Therefore, backyardbirds tend to be ‘tougher.’ ”
Shoop recommends keeping chickens semi-contained by fencing them in to keep themawayfrom predators,neighboring properties and areas wheretheywould have contactwithwaterfowl
Blaire’sfirstexperience withchickens ended in heartbreakafter her first flock contracted Marek’s disease, acontagious virus withnocure. Determined to preventfuture losses, shenow vaccinates her birds,maintains aclosed flock and follows strong biosecuritypractices.
“When youbring in anew bird,you should quarantine them andmakesuretheydon’thaveany illness beforeyou introduce them to your flock,”she advises To reduce the risk of infection, manychicken owners sanitize or changefootwear before entering the enclosuretoavoid contamination fromwild birds. Some will also supervisetheir flocksduring outdoor time to preventcontactwithwild birdsand reducethe risk of predatorattacks.
While predators arealwaysaconcern withbackyard chickens,most sayserious encounters arerare. Hawksand foxesare the biggestthreats,but secure coops and cautious routines help preventlosses.
“We’re pretty careful,”Becca Harkins says.“Ourcoopissecure, and we’re pretty good about locking them up whenitgetsdarkand only letting them out after it’slight.”
She and Brock once spottedahawkperched on their coop,but theirhens were cleverenoughtohide in the bushes and,thankfully,theirbrave mama hen chased the hawk away.
Blaireoften sees foxesand hawksaroundher coop and provides extraprotection by using overhead nettingand buried hardwareclothtokeep predators from diggingunderneath their fencing.“They ’reprettysecure,”she says.“Idon’t really worry.”
In the yearsshe’shad her chickens,Waltersonlyexperienced one intruder,an opossum, which she wasable to coax out withabroom.Afterward,she bought a moresecurecoop.Manyowners saytheir birdsare vigilant. Lockwood sharesthat his flock quickly takes coverwhen ahawkflies overhead. “They’re smart when it comes to survival,” he says.
TheRewards
Despitethe time, effort and occasional challenges, most chicken keepers agreethatthe rewards outweigh the work. Families especially value the opportunityfor children to learn wheretheir food comes from, feel comfort around animals,and learn responsibilitythrough daily chicken care.
Brock andBeccaHarkins lovedobservingone of their hens,Mama,raise her baby chicks.
“She wassohappy,” BeccaHarkins recalls.“So happy! Likeimmediately started making thesedifferentnoises thatwe’dnever heardher make before,”Brock adds.
Theylaughed about howMama would try to wrangle herchicksand teach them howtobeproperchickens
“They’re so fun,theyjust bring us so much joy, becausewejust laugh at them all the time,” BeccaHarkins says with asmile.
“It’sreally fun,and they’re hilarious,” Walterssays. “Haveyou ever watched achicken slurp up leftover spaghetti? It’sthe funniest thingI’veeverseen.”
Blairespends time with her flocktorelax.“It’ssuch astressrelievertojust go out andhangout with them,”she says.“ When theysee me, theywill run just likeapuppy would.I’ll squatdown, andinasplit second,she will be on my lap …the other twowill just sit thereand peckmyclothesuntil Ipick them up too.”
Others feel theybring asenseofcommunitytoo,whetherit’sbonding with their neighborsorsharing eggswith friends
“Our neighborslove them,”Walterssays.
“It’sjust fun to have them aroundand to giveeggstofriends,” Lockwood says
In the end, keeping chickens is about morethan just fresheggs. It’s about connecting with nature, building acloser bond with your food source and creating joyful moments thatcome from caring for your flocktogether.
Ourthoughtfully designed private and companionsuites provide comfortand modernamenities, while our dedicated team ensures personalized supportfor ever yresident. Enriching activities &ser vices inc lude:
&Recreational Activities
and C lasses
Forthoseinterested in startinga flock, Penn State Extension offers onlinewebinars,in-person workshops,coursesand awide rangeofresources tailored to small-scale poultry keepers. Learn more at extension.psu.edu
na Hostetterwokeupona recentspring morning, she ely wiggled her fingers aboveher head to showher mom, he American Sign Languagesign for“ horse.”
wn syndrome and is largely nonverbal, Mindy says.But le communicating when it comes to one of her favorite iding a14-year-old Appaloosanamed Bossonce aweek hEquine Center,aQuarryville-basednonprofit offering horsemanship and riding forchildren andadults with needs.
uch abrightspot in the week,”Mindy says.
aand her sister Jaynieare among 30 individuals athcurrently serves through its facilityatTrailside eaceful 80-acreretreatalong the Enola Low- GradeTrail indoor and outdoor arenas and atrail mazewith ons
ad its beginningsin2022, when Lee andKrisKauffman farm to fulfill twodreams:The couple wanted to help disabilitiesand theirfamily friend,Danielle Swope, rt atherapeutic horsemanship programinher native ounty.
ork Collegegradwho holds adegree in behavioral da master levelinstructor certification in therapeutic manship, previously worked with severalriding programs County.
idlepathEquine Center officially opened its doors a501(c)3 nonprofitin2023withthree horses, 15 participants,and Swopeasthe sole full-time employee and executive director. Today, in addition to doubling sparticipants,Bridlepathhas asecond instructor,four horsesand alegion of 40 volunteersserving participants es 4toadult.
Whyhorses?
Atherapeutic riding and horsemanship program offersphysical, emotional /behavioraland intellectual benefits,Swope says.
“A horse movesthree-dimensionally,which mimics howhumans walk,”she says
As aresult,riding canhelp strengthen coreand leg muscles,and improvebalance, coordination and depth perception. Handling the reinscan enhance fine andgross motor skills
Working with horsesalsohelps to improve -confidence, self-imageand social skills.
“Horsesdon’t judge you,”Swope says Andcaring forthem comes with its own setoflessons,includingthe order and useofbrushes,which aids in sequencing development.
At Bridlepath, some of the benefits start rightout of the gate in the tack room. It’saspace to foster independenceas participantslearn to find their name and saddle number posted on alessonboard.
“Just becausesomebody has adiagnosis doesn’tmean theycan’t,” Swope says.“It’s notjust about riding. There aresomany thingsinhorsemanship as well.”
Transforming lives
When Alainafinally has her session on thatsunny springday,she is wearing jeans, cowboyboots anda big smile as she ridesBoss, aformerbarrel racer, around the outdoor arena.She uses handle reins to steer him arounda seriesofcones and practices apostingtrotasshe rises andfalls in the saddle to the rhythm of the horse —all underthe watchful eyeofinstructor Natalie Martin andtwo volunteers.
Through thoseactivities,Swope says, Alainaisengaging hercore, learning to makechoices andfollowdirections,and developinga relationship with herhorse
Other participantssucceedindifferent ways,fromayoungman with cerebral palsy who cannow steer ahorse on his ownto an energetic little girl who has grownin patienceand impulsecontrol. Horses and participantsare partners in the journey, andsessionsare tailored to individual needs
“You have to appreciate the little victories to appreciatethe milestones,”saysBob Perina,avolunteer andmember of the
nonprofit’sboardofdirectors.“From the get-gothereare no ceilings. Ceilingsare self-imposed andthat’snot whathappens here. There’spatience, compassion and understanding in every lessonand it gets them to do amazing things.”
The path forward
While Bridlepath has grownoverthe past twoyears,thereisaneedtoserveeven more. Thereare currently 60 names on a two-year waitlist
To meet thatneed,Swope has added severalshort-termgroup programs, includingone forchildren with acancer diagnosis andanother foradopted and foster children with special needs
However, expanding the capacity for individual instruction is easier said than done.
“Horsesaren’tcheap,” says Swope, who would liketoadd twomoretothe program.
Neitherisinstruction. While an individual session costs Bridlepath $100, familiesare chargedonly$25 to $50,Swope says,with the nonprofit covering the rest SinceBridlepath’sservices areconsidered therapeutic —rather than aprescribed form of therapy— theyare notcovered by insurance.
“A lot of thesefamilies withspecial needs kiddoshavealot of out-of-pocket expenses,” Swope says
Bridlepath’s fundraising efforts include field trips,summer daycamps and aRace DayinJune, but about75% of funding comes from donations
“Thedonor base is ourlifeblood,” Perina says.
Bridlepath hopes to grow that donor base to meet thegrowthinits program
In addition to sponsorship opportunities, donor contributions canhelp coverhorse care,operational expenses,adaptive equipment, and financial aid and scholarships,ensuring more participants benefit from equine-assisted services —not just forthe tangible successestheymay achieve but alsofor the time spentdoing something they enjoywitha friend they ’ve growntolove.
“They getexcited aboutit,”Mindy Hostettersaysofher daughters.“There’s not alot of thingstheyconnect with, but theyconnect withthis.It’scool.”
To learn more, visitbridlepathequinecenter.org, emaildswope@bridlepathequinecenter.org or call 717-945-2799.
Collaboration,community and connection — all set to music
ancaster has long been acenterfor the visual arts,fromCharlesDemuthin the early 1900s to theincredible array of galleriesand artists in downtown Lancaster rightnow
To celebrate this heritage,Lancaster SymphonyOrchestra’s79th season opens with aperformance that demonstrates thewaysthatmusic canbeinspiredbythe visual arts,and howthe twomedia canreach greaterheights together.
“Pictures at an Exhibition”isthe first program in the season andrunsOct.3-5 at The Gardner TheatreatLancaster Country DaySchool.The program displays the orchestra’svirtuositythrough three differentpieces:
The first piece is Carlos Simon’s “The Block,”inspired by apainting of the same namebyartist Romare Bearden. His painting, and the music, capturethe bustling energy of African American cultureona block in Harlem, NewYork, in the1970s
painted in 1512 by
Mathias Grunewald
Like thealtarpiece, themusic juxtaposes religious serenitywith the humanagony sufferedbyGerman peasants during the Reformation.
The final piece is Mussorgsky’sfamous “Pictures at an Exhibition” (orchestrated byRavel). The titleofthe piece refers to a posthumous show of 400 worksbyViktor Hartmann, who diedin1873atthe ageof39, andwho wasaclose friend of Mussorgsky. Uponviewing his friend’scollected paintingsand drawings, Mussorgskywas inspired to composewhathas become his most belovedwork.
“The Planets” will featurethe Lancaster SymphonyChorus singing the glorious “Lux Aeterna,” along with GustavHolst’smost famous work settointerstellar images from NASA Twoadd-onconcerts (not partofthe main subscription) includethe annualHandel’s “Messiah”atFirst PresbyterianChurch and the“Best of Broadway,”acollaboration with theFulton Theatretofeaturesome of their brightest starsperformingalongside the full Lancaster SymphonyOrchestra.
The second piece is Hindemith’s“Mathis der Maler”(“Mathiasthe Painter”), inspired by the complex,multi-panelaltarpiece
This opening weekendisjust thefirst in astunning season whichpromises other delights: “Stevens &Smith”isa collaboration with LancasterHistory and features anew work by localcomposer D. Michael Wege to celebratethe opening ofthe newThaddeus Stevens& Lydia Hamilton Smith Center forHistory and Democracy
Newthis season, it’seasier thaneverto seethe symphonythankstothe addition of Sunday performances at 2:30 p.m. Staytuned forLSO’s PopSeries, which will be back at theconvention centerinApril 2026.This show sells out!
Visit Lancastersymphony.orgtopurchase tickets and to learn moreabout the symphony’swork in supporting music education in our community
Where Music Meets Community
TheLancaster SymphonyOrchestra’s2025-2026 Season
The2025–2026 season of theLancasterSymphonyOrchestrapromises meaningful collaborations, unforgettable performances,and world-class guestartists. All Masterworksconcerts willnow feature four performances—Friday &Saturdayevenings, Saturday& Sundaymatinees—giving youmoreways to experiencethe LSOatthe GardnerTheatre.
PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION
October 3—5 |GardnerTheatre
Carlos Simon’s TheBlock,Hindemith’s Mathis derMaler,and Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition (orchestratedbyRavel)cometogetherin avisually inspired program that celebrates theconnectionbetween visual andmusical arts.
MENDELSSOHNVIOLIN& BEETHOVEN 8
November 21—23|GardnerTheatre
BelovedviolinistWilliamHagen returns to perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, alongside Beethoven’s SymphonyNo. 8and Haydn’sdelightful Sinfonia Concertante,featuring four LSO musicians.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
December 4—6|First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster
Thetradition continues! Join the LancasterSymphonyOrchestra & Chorus fortheirfourth annual performanceofthischerished masterpiece.
BESTOFBROADWAY
December 27 &28|Gardner Theatre
Celebrate thegolden ageand modern favoritesofBroadwaywithbrightest musicaltheatrestars from theFulton Theatrestage and thefullLancaster SymphonyOrchestra.
ALL PROKOFIEV
January16—18 |Gardner Theatre
PianistNatasha Paremski brings electrifying brilliance to Prokofiev’sThird PianoConcerto. Also featured aretwo dazzling suites: LieutenantKijé and Romeo and Juliet
STEVENS &SMITH
March13—15 |GardnerTheatre
Celebratethe 250th birthday of the United States andthe grandopening of theThaddeus Stevens& LydiaHamilton SmithCenterfor Historyand Democracy with AaronCopland’s LincolnPortrait, WilliamL.Dawson’s NegroFolk Symphony,and apowerfulnew work celebratingthe lives of Stevens& Smith by Lancaster’s ownD.Michael Wege.
THEPLANETS
May15—17 |GardnerTheatre
Abreathtakingseasonfinalefeaturing the LancasterSymphony Chorus in Lauridsen’s luminous LuxAeterna, followed by Holst’scosmicmasterpiece
The Planets,set to stunning NASA imagery
Painti
the circle of life
gPaintin
BY SALLYREYNOLDS|PHOTOSBYQUINNSTALEY
Takeafirstlook at Christine Mercer-Vernon’spaintings and you’ll notice the intricate beauty of local flowers,depictedinexact detail. Each vein on the leaves, every grain of pollen,and the precise drape of the petals areall finely articulated in vivid colors.
But look alittle closer andyou’ll spot some subtle surprises amongthe flowers. An antisclimbing the stem of an orange dahlia. Adaddy longlegs is makingits wayalong asunflower leaf. Abumblebee is pausing near alavender irisblossom, ready to drop inside for nectar.And a hummingbirdishovering above apurple coneflower.
Mercer-Vernon uses graphite to portray thesebusy pollinatorsinsoft grays,anintriguing contrast to the
brightcolorsofthe oilpaintshe uses forthe flowers.The use of gray forthe pollinatorsisnot just an artistic choice, it’s astatementbythe artist: “It’smyway of alluding to the plightour pollinators face andtheir decreasing populations.”
ForMercer-Vernon, painting flowers isn’tjustabout capturing their beauty; it’s about “painting the circle of life” as represented by flowers and pollinators together.
“The next generation of flowers is notpossible without pollinators,which makescreatinggardens and ecosystems that arebeneficial to pollinators incrediblyimportant,”saysMercerVernon, who is also amultimedia graphic artist with LNPMedia Group. “I want to tiethat into my work as apainter.”
Growingher own muses
Mercer-Vernon’sloveof both flowers andpollinators is evidentinher garden, which is about50feet wide and40feet deep.She grows ollyhocks, sunflowers,dahlias, cosmos,yarrows, calendulas, es,irises, anemones,ranunculus ore, allofwhich she hasstarted eedortubers.
so supports localflowerfarms ying flowers that she can’t grow, onies.
ingher flowerpaintings ndedinher local ironmentiscritically important to MercerVernon.
“I neverpaint tropical owers becausecut flowers me from alloverthe world, nparticularSouth America, andhaveanincrediblylarge carbonfootprint,”she says. “Theyrequirea lotofenergy nthe greenhouses to heat hem. They aretreatedwith
insecticides andchemicals so that they canwithstandthe journey.”
This is notthe type of enterprisethat Mercer-Vernonwants to support.
As an artist, Mercer-Vernonrelies on herlocal community to support her,and shereturnsthatsupport by purchasingflowersfromher farmer friends.It’sanother form of the circle of life.
WhileMercer-Vernonfindsartistic inspiration in the garden,she also hopesher paintings will inspireothers to protectour fragile environment.
“I hope that when people viewmy work that theycan seehow delicate our environment is,and I’mhoping that theywillworktosupport their local ecosystem,whether it’sby plantingflowersorbuyinglocal flowers,and avoidingthe chemicals that areharmfulnot only to us,but to our insects andpollinators.”
When shecan,Mercer-Vernoneven gives away herflower seeds when she sells apainting, so the purchasercan plant them in their owngarden.
Paintingdirectlyfromlife y f f
To capture her flowers on panels,Mercer-Vernon paints directly from life, notfromphotographs. This poses some significantchallengesbecause flowers ar not totally still; theychangesubtlythroughout the day Buds open, blossoms turn to followthe sun, colors fa and petals wilt.
Because of these changes,Mercer-Vernon has to work as efficiently as possible.
“It’svery much likechasingtoddlersaround that on asugarrush,” shesays.
To try to keep her subjectsasstill as possible, she has an array of techniques: “I willclamp them to jar and Iwill tie knitting needles to thestems,and I’ll tie buds closed with string. Withpeonies, I’llput ice cu in thewater,paintthemquickly,thenput them inthe fridgeand bringthemout to paintagain.”
To compose her paintings,Mercer-Vernon uses a technique called harmonicarmature,whichinvolve creating agrid of intersectingdiagonal, horizontal and vertical lines that divide the frame into perfect proportions to guidethe placement of eachartistic element.
When Mercer-Vernon starts painting,she does no have avision forwhatthe finishedpanelswill look like. She paints one flowerat atime,addingeachone where the armatureindicatesitwill fit best.The buds andflowers arepainted first because they change so quickly.Next, she addsthe stemsand foliage because these canbepaintedevenafter theflowersdie off The grid is differentfor each painting,but the goal is to end up withapleasing visualarrangement.“Ea painting is just acontinual process of kind of building it out alittle at atime,”she says
, y
Paintingdirectlyfromdeath
c
le painting flowers from life poses challenges becauseofthe wers’continual,albeitslow, changes, inting pollinatorsisevenmore challenging becausetheymoveso ckly.
Forthe pollinators, Mercer-Vernon ints from death.
No pollinatorsare harmed in eating herpaintings;instead, she refully collects everydeadpollinator that she finds in hergardenand studies mclosely.
“I have alarge dead bugcollection,” rcer-Vernon says.“Anytime Ifind a ad bugoutside Ikeepit, andfriends so give themtome. Buttheyall died tural deaths!”
Shehas containersand boxesfullof
dead bugs anduses themasmodels.
Mercer-Vernon also spendstimein the garden observing the behavior of pollinatorsand doing quick sketches. Shetakes videos of pollinatorsand watchesinslowmotion to understand howtheymove. “Bees’flight patterns areveryclumsy,and Iwantto representthemaccurately,” she says.
Flowersand pollinatorscome and go each season,working together to create the next generation of floralbeauty. Theentirecycle of life sits justoutside ourdoors waitingtobediscovered. Christine Mercer-Vernon will be there,watching,waiting andpainting, capturing that beauty foreternity.
Seemorepollinator artworkat Mercer-vernon.com.
Whi
This pl aceis Bananas
When Andrew and AmberKarasik became the new ownersofGo’NBananas Family FunCenterinApril, it wasabout morethan taking another step in their careersinthe entertainmentand amusementindustry
It wasabout family.For the Karasiks, that includes sonNolan, 12, and daughterIris, 1.
Youmightsay the roots of thatfamily started at another attraction, namely One LibertyObservationDeckin Philadelphia,whereAndrew and Amberwerebothworking when theyfirstmet
In the ensuing years, career opportunities took them allover the country. SinceOne Liberty ObservationDeckpermanently
closedduring thepandemic, Amber most recently worked in guest experience forOcean Casino Resort in Atlantic City.Andrew ’s resume runs the gamut from park manager at DiggerlandUSA, aconstruction theme park in NewJersey, to director of guest experience forBorgata HotelCasino &Spa in AtlanticCitytodirectorofguest services forGreat Wolf Resorts in Minnesota. He’s opened agolf resort in Floridaand most recently wasvicepresidentfor apubliclytraded company in Ohio
“I kind of gottired of jumpingaroundfromplacetoplace,” Andrew says.“ We thought, ‘Is thereanopportunityand a businessthatwecan runourselves,raiseour family and really be part of acommunitywelove?
opportunities within the upon Go ’N Bananas, a fa featuring everything fro games to a toddler zone,
Turns outthe answer was“yes.” As they startedlookingfor eir industry, the Karasiks stumbled amily fun centeroffthe ManheimPike om laser tag, bumper cars and arcade aBallocityindoorplaystructureand a
ropes course.It’salsohometothe CongoCafé, which serves up pizza, burgers, wings, quesadillasand more
The Legenstein family,ownersofthe rug and flooring businessCertified Carpet,opened Go ’N Bananas in 2015 to fillwhattheysaw as aneed forindoorfamily entertainment in the community. Afteradecade in business, theywere looking to passthe torch.
“Wewentand visited and were justblown away by the staff,the quality of the attractions,the quality of the experiences,the theming, the cleanliness,”Andrew says “Wehad thisfeeling. Thisjust feels right.”
The Karasiks maybenatives of the Philadelphia area,but theyare no strangerstoLancaster County.Like many,they’ve vacationed here, enjoying popularatt ti like
“That’sabig part of who we are, and hisspecialneeds and hischallenges,” he says.“In every businessweworked in,wetried to makesurewe’re thinking of our sonand his needs and what familieslikethatare looking for.”
Thatcould mean growing thebackstoryand pandingthe role of Nano Banano,the pink rbackgorillawho serves as amascotfor the un center.
Market and Kitchen Kettle Village. Although theyhad never envisioned living in Lancaster County, Go ’N Bananas seemed the perfectfitfor their family.Nolan is autistic and nonverbal, and he lovesfamily funcenters,Andrew says
It could meanmoreevents, suchasafriendly haunted experiencefor Halloween or Christmas lights and visits withSanta forthe holidays
It couldalsomean revampingand expanding the membership programand perhaps addingmore membership opportunities,suchascorporate memberships and rainy-daymemberships foroutdoor summer camps. What it won’tmean is changing what makes Go ’N Bananas special.
The same goes forGo’NBananas,whereabig goal will be creating experiences forfamilies of all abilities,the couple says.Since family funcenters canbeoverstimulating for some, the Karasiks hope to add sensory-friendly areas and scheduleprogramming specifically designed forthe special needs community. Another goal is to modernizethe toddler area with newtechnology.
Eventually,the Karasiks would like to add attractions and expand the footprint of Go ’N Bananas within the existing building.But their immediategoals have moretodowith programming, storytelling and immersive experiences –drawnfromthe knowledge they’ve gained from yearsinthe amusementindustry
“It reallyisaunique place andauniqueenvironment, and youreally geta unique family,warm-welcomingfeeling when youcomein,”Andrew says.“ Youcan’t buy that; you can’tsell that.It’sjustsomething thatexists organically.”
TheKarasiksare not onlyinvesting in Go ’N Bananasas afamily, but they ’reinvesting in LancasterCounty as a familyaswell. Andrew ’s fatherand Amber’sparents will be making themoveheretoo
They want Go ’N Bananas to remain asingle-location, family-owned attractionthatbuildsonthe legacy the Legensteins began so that even morepeople fall in love with it —justastheydid.
“We’re justreallysuper excitedand happytoexpandon that legacy,” Andrew says.
ike many, Andy Berfond, 76, had his first exposure to Lancaster as a tourist He and his wife, Ellen, lived in New Jersey and had visited the county several times to enjoy Amish farmland, shop the outlets and eat at buffets
During one of those visits decades ago, they drove into Lancaster city and found a downtown area that was not terribly exciting Years later, they heard that a convention center would be opening in Lancaster, and they realized what it could mean a local commitment to revitalize downtown By the time they retired in 2015, Lancaster city was indeed thriving, with new shops, galleries, restaurants and entertainment.
“We always knew we would like to retire to a city,” Andy says, “but a large city was out of the question because of affordability.”
Lancaster city fit the bill with its combination of affordability and a wealth of attractions all in a walkable footprint.
The Berfonds first moved into the Clock Towers, a condominium complex in the former Hamilton Watch Factory on Columbia Avenue. They recently moved to an apartment in Landis Place on King, a 55-plus community on West King Street affiliated with Landis Communities, to be closer to all the action downtown.
While Lancaster County, with its 17 continuing care retirement communities, has long been a mecca for retirees, more seniors like the Berfonds are choosing to live independently in Lancaster city in their retirement years. We spoke to a few of them about the positives and negatives of downtown living.
We joined the Downtowners, and now we know everybody.”
- Andy Berfond
City in the Seniors
BY SALLY REYNOLDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY VINNY TENNIS
THE POSITIVES Af fordable housing
Like the Berfonds, Cynda Valle says one of the biggest factors in choosing Lancaster city as her retirement location was its affordability. Valle is an artist and lived for years in Los Angeles
“I was going through my retirement funds at an alarming rate living in Los Angeles,” she says
Valle had planned to move to West Virginia because of its affordable housing, so she flew to Washington, D.C., to meet a friend who would drive her to West Virginia to look for a house. But first, they visited the friend’s brother in Lancaster, and Valle was instantly hooked. It was the Fourth of July and the city was festive, artsy and energetic, and Valle realized that she needed to look no further.
Milicent Cranor moved to Lancaster from New York City about 15 years ago, at age 67, after retiring from a varied career as a trade book editor, writer/critic and, later, data manager for a cancer center. Cranor had been planning on retiring to Philadelphia, but it was not as affordable as she had hoped, and it also didn’t feel entirely safe A friend suggested Lancaster
Sher yl Lehman, Barbara McGraw, and Sylvia Cavanaugh at a member ’s home for Share a Poem
Bill Parson at the Downtowners’ Annual Volunteer Jubilee
Incredible ar ts
Lancaster’s arts community was mentioned by everyone we spoke with as one of the reasons they found the city so attractive.
With help from her friend’s brother, Valle found a row home on Orange Street that she is busy renovating into The Art House, which will be “a surreal art experience” and also her studio space. She has participated in Lancaster Art Walk for several years and enjoys the presence of all the artists, galleries and art education in the city.
The city has fueled her own art as well. Her home is close to the historic ShreinerConcord Cemetery, which inspired her painting “Memorial to Augusta Bitner,” depicting the 6-foot statue on Bitner’s grave that is said to roam the cemetery at night, shedding tears as she walks.
Cranor wa Lancaster culture fo
“I was enchan architectur she says. “Lanc a first-rate Orchestra, meant a lot
Foodie haven
Decades ago, the Berfonds opened and ran a restaurant for about 13 years, and the love of good food has remained a part of their lives. Of Lancaster city’s food scene, Andy Berfond says, “It’s second to none. We love the opportunity to try new places and talk about them.”
Walkablilit y
Kathy Cassidy and her husband, Dave, moved downtown from suburban East Hempfield Township 13 years ago. They live in Northgate condominiums on North Queen Street and love the walkability of the city.
Memorial to Augusta Bitner, painted by Cynda Valle
Rober ta Strickler at Share a Poem
“We walk to the Fulton, the new library, restaurants, coffee shops, even just exercise by walking to F&M and back,” Cassidy says “We walk to the Stormers’ baseball games It can sometimes be a full week that we don’t use our cars.”
The Cassidys do most of their grocery shopping at Central Market, Lemon Street Market and Mandros. And green space is never far away, via a short walk to Musser Park.
Bev Hoffman, 68, moved to Lancaster from Philadelphia in August of last year Her sister lives in Harrisburg and encouraged Hoffman to check out Lancaster city as a place to retire.
The first apartment building she looked at was Landis Place on King, and it was an immediate fit “I am a city girl,” she says, “and there’s a lot in downtown Lancaster that was familiar to me. Being so close to the Central Market, that was a real big plus There’s a lot of diversity and a lot of little stores, there’s a lot of restaurants, and it’s all very walkable.”
Instant social networks
The retirees say they have found social networks two ways: through the Lancaster Downtowners group and /or through living in a 55-plus apartment building.
Lancaster Downtowners connects seniors in two main ways: a Just members other out, and events he and Lancaster but then “we wntowners, know
liver, the Downtowners have helped me out on so many occasions,” she says. “They’re truly miraculous Like when I arrived here, my front door lock didn’t work, and I didn’t know how to fix it myself. I used the Downtowners’ Just One Call service, and I had my door lock fixed.”
The Downtowners’ social offerings include educational seminars, meet-ups for meals, happy hours, cooking classes and excursions to local hiking areas
“If every town had the Downtowners, then we wouldn’t have half as many of the problems we have with sad and lonely people,”
Valle says
At age 71, Marti York moved to an apartment in Landis Place on King from Pittsburg, Kansas, where she had worked as a teacher. Like Hoffman, York describes herself as a “city girl.”
“I’ve loved living at Landis Place on King,” she says “I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people just in the apartment house, and so that’s given me a new sense of independence and community that I didn’t have living in a duplex by myself in Pittsburg.”
lle, the wners ided help when needed it ven though m a fine independent
THE NEGATIVES
Accessibilit y
Negatives were few and far between, but several people mentioned difficulties with uneven sidewalks in the city. On his way to Southern Market for the opening of a new
food stand, Andy Berfond tripped on a sidewalk and fell so hard that he had to call an ambulance.
York recently started using a wheelchair, and the uneven sidewalks and old buildings downtown can pose challenges, she says “We’ve got a coffee shop down the street that I can’t go into because the step is too big,” York says, adding that she hopes transitioning to a motorized wheelchair will improve her ability to navigate downtown.
She says she wishes the city would pay more attention to accessibility.
Loud cars
Cranor mentions loud, speeding cars as a negative of city life. Orange and Walnut were the first two streets she lived on in Lancaster, and the noise was louder than in New York City, she says Ultimately, she moved to an apartment in Lancaster Lofts on North Charlotte Street for its quieter setting.
But Cranor’s experience in the city, noise aside, has been very positive.
“I think whatever you love, you will probably find here,” she says
Bev Hoffman concurs: “There’s things here to do for all different age levels, all different backgrounds,” she says “So don’t hole up in your home, go out and explore the city.”
What is Lancaster Downtowners?
Lancaster Downtowners is a nonprofit organization with a mission to “engage older adults in meaningful opportunities that build a multidimensional support network to stay informed, involved and independent in their community.”
Lancaster Downtowners is a member of the Village to Village Network, a nationwide nonprofit with about 279 branches across the countr y, all dedicated to helping people age in place.
Anyone in Lancaster County can be a member of Lancaster Downtowners, even if they live outside the city limits.
Lancaster Downtowners got its start in 2003.
“The first conversations were based out of a Sunday school class in Community Mennonite Church,” says Executive Director Melissa Ressler.
The conversations explored what kind of community people need to live well in their older years while staying in their individual homes.
The conversation quickly grew beyond the church and into a community-wide group. They saw an article about Beacon
Hill Village in Boston, which had put together a 150-page manual of how to set up such a community. With the manual as their guideline, the Lancaster Downtowners incorporated in 2008 and began adding services here in Lancaster.
First there was a list of recommended providers, like plumbers and mechanics. Then they added the Just One Call volunteer program, where members help each other with transportation, check-in calls, snow shoveling, pet-sitting and similar tasks.
In 2016, the organization had grown enough to develop a strategic plan to continue to grow. As part of that plan, they hired Ressler in 2018 as their Executive Director
Ressler has always enjoyed working with older folks, as reflected in her college major of therapeutic recreation and gerontology In her role as Executive Director, her mission is to help Lancaster Downtowners continue to grow its services, its membership, and even to explore starting a new chapter in another part of the county.
MOSAIC BY WILLOW VALLEY COMMUNITIES:
THEBESTPLACE
TO RETIRE IN LANCASTERCITY
Retiring to LancasterCityisalready adream formany, but Mosaic by Willow ValleyCommunitieselevatesthat dream to an entirely newlevel.Perfectly situatedinthe heartof
the city’s vibrant Market District, Mosaic offersa sophisticated urbanlifestyle forthose over 55 whowantbothconvenienceand connection. With Lancaster’s best dining, culture, andshopping just outside the frontdoor, Mosaic is redefiningwhat senior life canlooklike.
What trulyenhances the everyday experienceatMosaic is itslocation. In one of themostwalkableand culturally rich neighborhoods, Lancaster’s Market District, residents caneasilystrollthrough adiverse mixofboutiques,art galleries,and live entertainment.Mostnotable arethe Southern Market Food Hall andCentral Market Farmers Market, just stepsawayfromMosaic’sfront door.
Southern Market is an exciting culinaryhub that brings together some of thecity’smostdiverse vendorsunder one roof.Whether it’s an afternoon bite with friends, afun social event, or aspontaneous dinner date,the food hallis alively extensionofthe vibrantlifestyle Mosaic residents will enjoy
A block away from Mosaic, still in the Market District, is Central Market, the oldest continuously operating farmers’ market in the United States, offering residents the best of Lancaster’s farm-to-table ingredients under one historic roof Residents can shop Central Market for the freshest Lancaster County produce, the freshest meats and dairy products, and delicious Lancaster recipes of baked goods and home-cooked meals
And, also thanks to Mosaic’s Market District location, taking in a show at the Fulton Theatre, visiting Gallery Row, or shopping in Lancaster’s most eclectic boutiques become part of everyday life for residents Even weekend getaways are easy, with the Amtrak station just minutes away, providing direct access to Philadelphia, New York City, and beyond.
While the charm of the Market District is undeniable, the ease of living at Mosaic is just as compelling. The 20-story high-rise features 146 beautifully designed lightfilled residences with resort-style amenities and services, allowing residents to focus entirely on pursuing and enjoying their passions Whether it’s starting the day with a workout in the fitness center, swimming laps in the indoor pool, indulging in a pampering service at the day spa, or enjoying wine at the rooftop lounge overlooking the city, Mosaic provides the perfect balance of activity, engagement, and relaxation.
Mosaic is the next generation of residences from Willow Valley Communities, a nationally recognized Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), with an over 40year tradition of excellence All residents benefit from the security of the Lifecare Type A contract, ensuring a predictable monthly fee even if care needs change over time. This peace of mind allows residents to fully immerse themselves in everything Lancaster and Mosaic have to offer, free from the worries of unknown, possible future healthcare costs Willow Valley Communities is the only exclusively Type A Lifecare community in Lancaster County
For those over 55 who crave a thriving lifestyle rooted in vibrancy, convenience, and sophistication, Mosaic by Willow Valley Communities offers the best of all worlds Here, the energy of Lancaster’s Market District and the amenities of a five-star resort come together to create a senior living experience unlike any other At Mosaic, you’re not just living—you’re thriving, right in the heart of it all. Visit: MosaicLancaster.com
Locally Hand-Crafted
A STRONG FOUNDATION
HowEverenceisstarting young people onthe path to financial wellness
Asa certified financial wellness counselor,Emily Miller routinely offersadviceonissuessuch as managing debtand boostingcredit. But whenit comes to weathering life’sfinancial storms,there’s one lessonshe values above all others: It’s easier to build on asolid foundation than to repair something that’sbroken.
“If we startyou off on agood path,it’s much easier to keep up thosehabits,” says Miller,who is alsoamemberrelations manager with theMountJoy branch of Everence Federal CreditUnion. “It makes it mucheasier,as lifegoesonand lifegets more complicated, both personally and financially.”
Unfortunately,alot of Americans areon shakyground.
Themost recentPersonal Finance Index, anannual survey by theGlobal Financial Literacy Excellence Center and TIAA Institute,found that around 50%ofU.S adultslackfinancial literacy.
While anew lawwill soon requireall Pennsylvania high school students to complete afinancial literacycourse prior tograduation, Everence is helping families laythatstrong foundation much sooner with aYouth Program that gives younger family members aheadstart in learning
howtosave, spend and sharetheir financial resources wisely
Theprogram uses fun, educational activitiesand apartnershipwiththe financial tech company Greenlightto help young people not only build their bank accounts but alsogrowtheir financial wellnessand learn the value of stewardshipand generosity.
“Thereare alot of ways youth canbe involved and participate,” says David Broomell, marketing manager for Everence Federal Credit Union.
Ifwestart youoffonagood path,it’s much easiertokeepupthose habits.”
TheYouth Programhas several components:
•AYouthSavings Account: Theaccount offers a5%annual percentage yield up to the first$1,000,abetter rate than most savings accounts.1 Oncethe account holder turns 18, theywill transition to a regularsavings account.
•AYouthRewards Program: Children and younger teens canearn pointsby completing avariety of activities, such as making adeposit, doing volunteer work, getting good grades or completing an educational worksheet. Points canbe redeemed forprizes.
•Greenlight: EFCU has partnered with Greenlight, which provides adebit card and appwith families in mind. Parents can use the app to transfer moneyinto their child’saccount, create spending limits and set up automatic allowance payments. Kidscan use it to playfinancial literacygames and tracksavings, spending and giving goals. Greenlight is complimentary forany EFCU member withapersonal checking account. “It’s a really innovativeprogram,”Broomell says “It’s agood introduction to finances for younger kidsand teens and perfecttoget them involved and thinking about their finances before theyget acredit card or checking account.”
Anotherperk of the Youth Programis the annualYouth SavingsCelebration, scheduled this year forAug.4-6 at EFCU’s Lincoln Highway,MountJoy andEphrata
branches.The Lincoln Highway branch will alsohost WJTL’s Kids Cookie Break on Saturday, Aug. 9.
In addition to activitiesincluding crafts, giveawaysand refreshments,the celebration is an opportunitytoopena newYouth SavingsAccountortomakeadepositinto an existing one.For thosewho depositat least $15 into an existing account, EFCU will depositanadditional$5. Forthoseopening anew accountduring the event, Everence will providethe $5 necessary to openthe accountalong with an additional$5deposit.2 Both account incentives also willbeavailable July 30 to Aug. 13 at anyEFCUbranch.
As an outgrowthoflast year’s celebration, Miller meta Chambersburg-area pastor who waspassionate about teaching sound financialhabits to the youngest membersof his congregation, believing thoseprinciples arenecessary to yield fruit in the future. Everencewas able to partnerwith the church to offer 19 young membersofits congregation an education in the value of financialresponsibilityand stewardship. Whether it’sworking with achurch or with parents andgrandparents,Everence is dedicatedtoguiding anew generation on their journeytofinancialwellness.
“The greatpartabout Everenceisthat we have the resources,wehavethe tools likeGreenlight,wehaveaYouth Savings Account, we have the financialcounselors in local marketswho canpartnerwith our members.”Millersays. “Sowecan walk alongside andequip parents and grandparents to really ownthe financial projections fortheir children’sfuture.”
1 Minimumdepositof$5to open account. 5.00% Annual Percentage Yield(APY) applies to first$1,000 on deposit; 0.15%APY applies to remainingbalance above $1,000.APYsmay change withoutnotice. Fees may reduce earnings. Limited to an individualaccount -one per taxIDunder age18.
2 Limit of one$5bonus per youth account (one per tax ID). Bonusdepositedattime of depositfor in-branch; electronic transactions maytakeuptofive days forbonus to post.$5 opening depositfor new membershipapplications is made by EFCU on behalf of member fornew memberships opened between 07/30/2025 and 08/13/2025,virtuallyorinperson by an eligible youth andaneligible adult joint owner.Opening deposit does notcount toward $15 deposittoreceiveadditional $5 incentive.Current or previous members arenot eligible foropening deposit. or call717-653-2985
StopinFramed by James, arecently opened opticalshopat 301 E. ChestnutSt.,Lancaster,and youmay endupwith morethannew eyewear.OwnerJim Albrightwillhappily inviteyou to sitdownfor aglass ofwineand some friendly conversation too—all on the house, of course.
“It’slikea neighborhoodbar thatsells glasses,” he quips.
The boutique-style setting of Framed by Jamesisfar differentfromhis former business,AlbrightOpticians,which hisfather opened in 1965 and whereAlbright worked for55yearsbeforeselling it in 2022. His intention was to rideintothe sunset of retirement,but he gotbored after abouttwo years.
Framed by James is an opportunity forAlbright, 74,togobacktodoing something he lovesbut on amuchsmaller,moreintimate scale. Thereare no eye exams and no additional employees.It’sjusthim, fitting people with attractive and affordable prescription eyewear.
Albright offersaniceselectionofframes, includingbrands with styles and colorsyou maynot find elsewhereinLancaster County.Since opening in March, he’s been welcoming newcustomers by word of mouth, including aPhiladelphia-based actresswho admiredsomeone’s glasses at aPrima Theatreafter-partyand found outtheyhad gotten them at Framed by James.
Andhe’sbeen reconnecting with oldcustomers too.
“A lot of customers Ihad fromthe pastare cominginand we arereacquainting ourselves and telling warstoriesabout what happened overthe lasttwo years,”hesays.
“It’smorefun than retirement.”
Framed by James is open from 10 a.m.to5p.m. Tuesdays,Wednesdays and Thursdays. Otherhours by appointment. Formoreinformation, visit framedbyjames.com or call 717-875-8812
Vacation Mode
Convenient, affordable flights from Lancaster, PAtoOrlando, FL
Breeze Airways is making it easier thanevertoflyfrom Lancasterto Orlando over the summer! We’re doubling our weekly flightsbyoffering service Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, andFridays! That means more magic, more adventure, andmore flexibility for your next getaway.
At YORGOS LA NC ASTE R enjoy authentic Greek-influenced dishes and American cuisine, and choose from an ex tensive array of craf t beers, cock tails, liquors, wines, and champagnes for dinner in our 2nd-floor Kefi Dining Room Ask about our venue options. Celebrate ever y reason & season with us Make reservations or book your large party or event now!
