Power shopping amid simplicity

In Lancaster County there are great shopping opportunities, but also the chance for a cultural awakening. You'll want to do more than just shop while you're there.

by Mary Eileen O'Connor

assistant features editor

Down a two-lane highway, surrounded by acres of rolling farmland in the heart of Lancaster County, lies a shopping mecca. A cloud of gasoline exhaust from countless tour buses and cars hangs in the air, but it does not seem to dampen the fervor of the hundreds of shoppers who descend on the Rockvale Square Outlet Center in droves.

On an early Sunday afternoon in November, with Christmas looming before them, hundreds of shoppers, many clutching store directories, tightened their shoelaces and mapped out a strategic battle plan. Their main objective: to pinch pennies by seeking out the best bargains at the center's 120 outlet stores.

Only a one-and-a-half hour drive from Philadelphia, the RockvaleSquare Outlet Center is the highlight of a trip to Lancaster County for many people. Despite the area's rich history and cultural attractions, people come to this area to find what they might not be able to find anywhere else-something for everyone on their holiday shopping list. This is certainly the place to tackle your holiday shopping.

And tackle you must-a trip to the outlet center is not like an afternoon at the mall. It is an all-day excursion, but if you are able to conquer your holiday shopping in one day, it is certainly worth it. The first-time outlet shopper can be easily overwhelmed by the center's size. To make the most of your trip, you need to have a plan of attack, which includes starting the day early to avoid the crowds,wearing comfortable shoes, knowing your prices, watching out for good bargains and taking periodic breaks.

The outlet center has everything from shoes to luggage. There are some big-name outlets-such as the Gap, American Eagle, Geoffrey Beene and Tommy Hilfiger and lesser-known outlets such as Factory Brand Shoes and Kitchen Collection. Camp Coleman has outdoor gear for the adventurer. There is a KB Toys for kids and the Sony Factory Outlet for those who like high-tech toys. For the literary-minded, there is a Book Warehouse. When your stomach begins to growl and your tired feet need a rest, you can have lunch at the center's food court or one of the restaurants located at the entrance to the center.

All the stores accept major credit cards and personal checks, which is good because although most of them offer various discounts, you can still wind up spending a bundle. The center also has a bank and two ATM machines for quick cash.

Shopping is only one of the highlights of a trip to Lancaster County. Various culrural attractions and restaurants are a short drive from the outlet center. Many of the attractions revolve around the life of the Amish, who make their home in Lancaster County. There is a motel adjacent to the outlet center and the Information Center has local maps, tickets for area tours and guides to area attractions.

Even if you don't see all that the area has to offer, the day trip is definitely worth the drive. Outlet shopping is a great way to escape the boring mall routine and to make short work of a long holiday gift list.

For more information, visit the shopping center's website at www.rockvalesquareoutlets.com.

Driving through Lancaster County to the Rockvale Square Outlet Center, you may see the Amish working In the fields or passing by in horsedrawn buggies, but you will not see them shopping In the outlet stores.The Amish are a close-knit community whose practices have remained almost unchanged since the group was formed in the 16CX)s.Their homes and farms are the centers of their life and they shun the outside world and modern conveniences such as cars and electricity.A large number of Amish make their home in Lancaster County, Penn.

The Amish community was formed as a splinter group during the European Protestant Reformation. A man named Konrad Grebel rejected the practices of the Roman Catholic Church, creating a group called the Anabaptists.

The Anabaptist community split many times, and In 1693 Jacob Amman created a stricter, more pure community. His followers became known as the Amish. Fleeing persecution In Europe, the Amish began coming to America In the early 1700s,settling in Pennsylvania,where William Penn promised religious freedom. There are no Amish left in Europe.Today,there are Amish communities in 20 states and In Canada, but the largest populations live In Pennsylvania,Ohio and Indiana. There is an estimated population of 135,COO.

The key beliefs of the Amish are voluntary adult baptism, separation of church and state, adherence to the New Testament and a ltfe of nonviolence. The Old Order Amish govern themselves by a set of rules called the Ordnung, which controls every aspect of Amish ltfe, such as the style and color of clothing, the type of buggy driven and the use of modern conveniences. They lead a simple,humble life of discipline, sacrifice and hard work. Most are farmers, but some are craftsmen and seamstresses.

Some Amish are beginning to move elsewhere because of Increasing development in the area. They are also facing outside Influence from the ·English/ as they call anyone who Isnot Amish. Despite any troubles,,the Amish have survived by strict adherence to their principles of faith, family and community.

-Mary Eileen O'Connor