Author: Mary Sue Wolf

Mary Sue Wolf, real estate agent in the Lancaster and Lititz PA area. Mary Sue is a long time resident and knows the Lancaster area very well. #lancasterbestkeptsecrets are the insider tips to local dining, things to do and local information. #wolfdenrealtor

Howl’ You Doin’

What is absolutely wonderful about where we live is all that Lancaster has to offer. There truly is something for everyone be it movies and plays, cuisine and restaurants, clothing and shops or activities! A unique feature of Lancaster County is the wolf sanctuary, a space for wolves to seek refuge for treatment cultivating a life that is protected will provide the space for natural instincts and growth to occur. What is unique about a sanctuary is animals that go to these will spend the rest of their lives in that space.

Lancaster County holds one of these incredible spaces, located in Lititz at 465 Speedwell Forge Road. The Wolf Sanctuary of PA is located on over 80 acres of natural land to provide the wolves a terrain identical to the wild they would be roaming. This sanctuary is run by the Darlington family and has been for over 40 years. Within the sanctuary you will find not only gray wolves but wolf-dogs as well which are just as the name states a mix of a domestic dog and wolf such as gray, eastern, red or Ethiopian. This space started as a private rescue but now is an educational space where patrons can learn all about wolves, their habitat, history, and so much more! 

The Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania is currently home to over 60 wolves each with their own unique personality, fur coat, and ways of life. The sanctuary does an incredible job to bring to light each of the wolves personalities through detailed biographies on their website as well as wonderful photos and videos. This sanctuary is a 501 c3 nonprofit where you can fully immerse yourself in the life of these wolves through their virtual videos or through an in person visit. Visits are done through tours where you follow a walking trail through the acres of land being able to witness the life of the wolves inside. It is suggested that proper walking shoes are worn as well as attire, being outside it is important that you dress accordingly to ensure you are comfortable. While exploring the sanctuary you are allowed to take photographs but lenses cannot be longer than 5 inches, you cannot take videos or use tripods, selfie sticks or monopods. It is important when attending a tour you follow the guidance of your tour guide this ensures the safety of yourself, those around you, and these magnificent creatures. Currently the sanctuary offers 5 different tours:

  • Saturday Guided Public Tour- a 1 to 1.5 hour tour on Saturday mornings
  • Full Moon Fundraiser- a 2.5 hour tour on Saturday closest to the full moon
  • Professional Photography Session- Mondays through Thursdays with a 30 minute minimum and a 2 hour limit
  • Tuesday/Thursday Tours- morning tours that last 1 to 1.5 hours
  • Private tours- offered Saturdays and Sundays a 2 hour detailed tour

Each of these options give individuals the opportunity to pick what is best for themselves or their party and to ensure that you see all you would like, experiencing the wolves with the help of an expert by your side. Each varies in cost depending on the duration of the tour as well as it’s focus, prices can be found on their website. Tours need to be booked in advance right now and can be done on the sanctuary’s website with immediate payment options. It is important to note that during the tours you are going to be walking pack to pack around the acres of the sanctuary and will be following the tour guide taking time to pause and learn about each wolf.

After touring the sanctuary if you fall in love you are welcome to return at any time, try another tour experiencing all it has to offer! Or become a volunteer, you must visit the sanctuary at least once prior to submitting an application and be at least 18 years old. Being a volunteer gives you the opportunity to help the sanctuary run daily where you help with many facets including special events or weekends. In order to be approved as a volunteer one must participate in an orientation process and training to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements needed for this program. Being a volunteer is a wonderful way to get involved in the local community, help a nonprofit and experience a strong work environment where you will build many skills in a unique atmosphere! Talk about an incredible experience…unique and making a difference for our wildlife. 

After a visit to the sanctuary if you have fallen in love with one of the many wolves you can participate in the Adopt a Wolf program. These are symbolic adoptions where you can help to provide care for a wolf. Through a payment you can receive the adoption package which holds a personalized adoption certificate, 4×6 professional photo of your wolf, a detailed letter about the wolf, a detailed letter from sanctuary founders and a fact sheet about wolves. There are deadlines to submit adoption requests so be sure to check in with the sanctuary when looking into this process.

If you are interested in touring the wolf sanctuary be sure to go to their website and make a reservation, currently they are not able to offer walk-ins but through social media and their website you can check to see how to make a reservation and when the walk-ins will be allowed again. Visiting the wolf sanctuary can be fun for the whole family, a great outdoor birthday party through having a private tour or just a wonderful way to learn more about these incredible creatures. 

Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties not far from the incredible wolf sanctuary. You will love it here!


For more information on wonderful homes like: 679 Goose Neck Drive, Lititz PA 17543 overlooking the 13th-hole fareway call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

Just Wining Here

As we enter the new year many people set new year resolutions as a way to have something to work for and hold themselves accountable. While many say they want to whine less we are wining here… hidden gems of Lancaster County are the wineries in the area, each unique providing patrons wonderful experiences in beautiful atmospheres. Let’s jump into the top 3 wineries in Lancaster County: Waltz Vineyards, Thorn Hill and Moon Dancer. 

Waltz Vineyards, a winery that is full of breathtaking views across Lancaster County with three locations. One in Manheim township, Gordonville, and Lititz; each provide a unique and personalized experience. Waltz is owned by a 6th generation Lancaster farmer and his wife who pride themselves on using the land to produce award winning wine. The farm that holds the grapes is located on a hill that holds a micro-climate that is perfect for creating air flow to create mouth watering tastes. The first wine at Waltz was created in 2000 within their garage learning the art of blending and fermenting. Each wine is made from hand-picked fruit…talk about using the local land and produce! The winery opened in 2009 to provide patrons wine tasting experiences within their tasting room. This space provides individuals a space to learn about the history and work that goes into making Waltz wine. One of the major reasons I appreciate this vineyard is all their partnerships with local businesses, there is an entire section on their website where they provide you lists for restaurants, breweries, experiences, hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts, caterers, and grocery stores. Each name is linked to their website, Waltz provides us the opportunity to learn more about local businesses we may not know of and an easy way to find out more about how to support them! Let’s dive into the wines at Waltz, they offer Red, White and Rose. The reds available to enjoy are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Dry Red Blend, and Semi-Dry Red Blend. The whites available to enjoy are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Reserve Chardonnay, Semi-Dry Blend, Semi-Sweet White, and Wine Club Exclusive. Wine Club you read that right…Waltz Vineyards offers a wine club membership a wonderful opportunity to enjoy their wine regularly! This membership has so many perks, first you can pick from 3, 6 or 12 bottles quarterly while also having the opportunity to enjoy complimentary tastings, access to pre-released wines, discounts and exclusive events. What is important to note…this membership provides you with award winning wine regularly! Waltz has changed their hours for the upcoming weeks. They are open Thursdays & Fridays from 12-4pm as well as Saturdays from 11-5pm at their Manheim location. Their bottle shop is open the same hours on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays but also Sunday from 11-3pm this shop is located in Lititz. Their wine shop at Kitchen Kettle Village has hours Monday through Thursday 10-4pm and Fridays & Saturdays 10-5pm. What is wonderful about Waltz is they are taking extra precautions for all their patrons you are able to arrange a personal appointment by emailing them or going during their hour of opperation at Kitchen Kettle Village specificially for high risk. Multiple wines made in Waltz have won awards from competitions, showings, and top reviews, enjoy a glass or two soon!  

Thorn Hill Vineyards, the second winery I would like to highlight. Thorn Hill is owned by Jack and Amy Thorn, where they create wonderful wine for so many to enjoy! The grapes in their wine come from California vineyards providing patrons the opportunity to taste so many flavors from California fruit to earthy tastes, winemakers creating an experience for their customers unlike any other through not only flavor but with experience as well. Thorn Hill has two tasting locations one in Lake County, California and the other in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This family winery creates award winning wine with flavors for all to enjoy. Learning about winemaking is best done by a winemaker that is passionate and detailed, when looking at Thorn Hill Amy Thorn does just that. There are seven steps in winemaking that are shared in detail on Thorn Hill’s website: One being grapes, cultivating wonderful grapes that are an essence of the terrain, two being harvesting, picking grapes when ready is the next step, three being fermentation, grapes need to be crushed and fermented so they can age properly, four is picking a barrel, this is where the wine will age barrels matters as it affects the flavor and process, five is fermentation again, six is blending to create the flavors a winemaker desires, the final step is bottling, properly bottling the wine so when ready can be enjoyed. This year marks nine year of wines within Thorn Hill to celebrate they are hosting events on February 12th and 19th where attendants are asked to wear silver or black and enjoy plated tapas, friends and wine to celebrate! To RSVP head to their website as they have limited number of guests allowed each night. If you have the opportunity to go to one of the tasting rooms to experience the creations of Amy Thorn I highly suggest that you go, you won’t regret it!  Be sure to check out their events page and join Thorn Hill soon for an incredible experience. Enjoy a glass in our backyard of Lancaster County and when the time to travel comes head over to California and experience one of their villa experiences! 

The last winery I would like to highlight is Moon Dancer Winery Cider house & Taproom. Moon Dancer is located in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania providing patrons a wonderful experience of not only wine but food, beer and ciders as well. Moon Dancer was established in 2004 located on the Susquehanna River, a beautiful location where you feel like you are transported to another place. They offer wine tastings, tours and space to enjoy time with your friends with fireplaces, live music, patios, and more. The name comes from the Moon Dancer Legend, a man who appears during the harvest late at night providing star-filled nights, rain and appreciation of simpleness. If you are looking to experience this space of tranquility be sure to check their events section of their website because tickets may need to be purchased depending on the day and the event. Moon Dancer offers 5 ciders, two of which are seasonal from their on property cider house. If wine or cider is not your drink of choice don’t worry they offer local PA beers on tap, by bottle, or can…there is something for everyone. While enjoying a drink you most definitely should also get a handmade pizza from their on property wood fired oven, Ta Ta Kua. While Moon Dancer provides an afternoon of relaxation with friends and a space to enjoy local wine, cider, beer, and pizza you also have the ability to host a private event on property. Moon Dancer is known for a dream location for weddings! This year take an afternoon to get lunch and a drink with some friends soaking in the beauty of the river! 

As you look to the new year why not make a resolution to try new things and go to new places? Checking out one or all three of these wineries will provide you with wonderful weekend adventures with your friends or family. You will feel like you are away soaking in the landscape while being able to support some of the many wonderful local businesses within Lancaster County! As we continue through the new year take time to find local buisnesses and support them how and when you can, they are working so hard to accomodate all, providing many options and services to ensure not only safety but comfortability to anyone that works with them.

Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties not far from all the wonderful wine trails in Lancaster. You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes like: 679 Goose Neck Drive, Lititz PA 17543 overlooking the 13th-hole fareway call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

New Year New Home Cheer

Happy New Year to all our Lancaster Locals! May this year bring you joy, happiness and exciting times! If you have been debating buying a new home or have been wanting to move for some time now but do not know where to start? Look no further, I have compiled a helpful chart of must do’s and tips for starting the moving process. 

  1. Let’s make a plan– you are ready to list your house and move first things first is making a plan with your family. 
  2. Find a realtor agent you mesh well with– it is important to find a realtor that you can relate to, one that knows the area better than anyone else

Before continuing through the moving list I want to be sure to touch on the benefits of using a realtor when you are looking to sell or buy a home. There are many ways you can benefit from hiring a realtor and specifically it is their expertise. Expertise in finances, area, location, community, regulations, rules and more. A realtor is a licensed professional that can help guide individuals purchase, sell or rent a property. They advise their clients on the market, give guidance on how to sell their house and assist in many other ways. If you have been considering using a realtor contact me today I would be happy to talk more about my role and how I can help you! Back to our moving list…

  1. Create a timeline– it is important to create a timeline and stick to it, especially if your house has sold and you need to move out by a certain date.
  2. Set up a moving budget– by setting a moving budget you will be sure to not waste money or spend money you were not expecting to spend.
  3. I suggest you check out our declutter blog-this blog will give you some ideas for going through everything in your home, moving can be daunting but with time and focus you can really make a dent in your project of going through your things. Make separations of what is going to the new house, what is garbage and what you will donate. 
  4. Schedule-schedule times to go through your stuff, to pack, to move your things, and to donate your things. Setting up a schedule that sets aside days or times is key!
  5. Gather– start collecting supplies you will need to help you move. This can be boxes, string, tape, bubble wrap or newspapers. Knowing you will be or are planning moving you can start to collect materials or ask those you know to start saving their boxes. This is a great way to be sustainable and save time when it comes time to pack and you don’t have to worry about scrambling to get the materials.
  6. Stress less– look at and remind yourself of the bigger picture. Moving can be very stressful and daunting. It is a lot at once and at times can be a lot in a short amount of time. It is important to remind yourself of what the outcome is, your forever home! I suggest listening to music, or asking for your friends or family to come over and help pack while ordering take out! It is a great way to catch up, get some extra hands and enjoy each other’s company at times you’ll feel like it is more of a hang out and not stressing over the work.
  7. Change- Be sure you take time to change your address with all your subscriptions, bills, credit cards, jobs are aware & family is aware. Share your new address with everyone who needs it and make changes so you don’t miss bills. Take time to change your cable, wifi, license, doctors, school and phones to the new address too.
  8. Organize- Keep your boxes and bags organized during the move. It is important everything is labeled and you know where everything is going or who is taking what. You do not want to misplace any important medical documents or other personal and financial information that you need no matter where you live!

It is the day officially it is your moving day…what do you need to do?

  • Arrange for help if you have children, pets or need extra hands for the move
  • If you hired movers be sure you have cash to tip all those who helped
  • If you have friends and family helping be sure to place a takeout order to the new home so you all can eat after a hards day of work
  • Be sure to do a final clean of your old property
  • Get rid of all trash
  • Do one last walk through of the house (connect with your realtor of all last minute things you need to get done)
  • Set the thermostat to the correct temperature
  • Lower the shades or blinds
  • Lock all doors and windows
  • Leave a nice note or treat for the new homeowners 🙂 

It is time to settle in, how do you get started?

  1. First and foremost do a first go around of cleaning and a walk through of the house (with any questions that could come up reach out to your realtor for advice)
  2. Unpack the essentials first all things that are necessary for the first few days of being in your new home
  3. Plan each room-walk through the house to see what each room will be for you. Where is the den or your dining room, who gets what bedroom? 
  4. Go room by room starting with the kitchen first, setting up all your appliances and cupboards
  5. The second room or rooms to tackle are the bedrooms setting up your closets, your furniture and organizing your closets- each person should unpack their own room to truly make it their own space
  6. After the bedrooms are done the bathrooms should be the next room you start to unpack and fully stock with all necessities
  7. Do not feel pressured to rush-take time ordering new appliances or furniture should you need and enjoy the space you now get to be in every day. Take time to truly make it your space a place that meets your needs-an office, outdoor dining, cozy rooms whatever it may be! 

As we enter 2021 the year is ours with endless possibilities and opportunities. Have you been debating moving, selling your home or finding a new piece of property? Why not take that chance in 2021 and start the process…New Year New Home…Let’s Cheer! Mary Sue and Derek are both available to be the realtor to get you to the spot where you will enjoy the rest of your 2021 and wonderful years to come! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties within wonderful Lancaster County, as a realtor she can provide you with tips and tricks to moving and finding your forever home.  You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes like 679 Goose Neck Drive call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

Safe Christmas Cheer

With Christmas just a few days away many families are finishing up last minute holiday shopping, maybe decorating their tree, getting pictures taken with Santa or enjoying some classic holiday movies. 

As we approach the coming days and this new year it is easy to start adding to your list of things to do or places to see. A must add is the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster County, truly an experience like no other. A show you and your family will talk of in the coming days, weeks and years to come. The Sight & Sound Theater…truly remarkable! Let’s dive into what Sight & Sound Theater is as well as a way to enjoy Christmas celebrations in a safe way this year at another location in Lancaster County.

Sight & Sound Theater has been within Lancaster County for over 40 years! Founded by Glenn Eshelman who presented his artwork to a local church in 1964 where individuals within that space were blown away. Glenn partnered with his wife, Shirley to share their art around the United States until 1976 when they created Sight & Sound Theater. This theater is a live theater where shows are performed for audiences around the stories from the bible. Not too long ago, 1997 a fire destroyed the Sight & Sound location but less than 2 years later the couple were determined and opened a brand new theater. This theater is much larger creating a beautiful space for the stories to be shown to their audiences in a life-like way where audiences feel a part of the space and are absorbed by the beautiful art within this live space. With how well the theater has been doing another Sight & Sound theater was opened in Missouri so more audiences can enjoy these shows. This is a family owned business with over 600 employees all working to truly meet the mission of Sight & Sound which is. “Our purpose is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sow the Word of God into the lives of our customers, guests and fellow workers by visualizing and dramatizing the scriptures, through inspirational productions, encouraging others and seeking always to be dedicated and wise stewards of our God-given talents and resources”. Sight & Sound truly a masterpiece among us!

Their Lancaster County Theater is breathtaking with 2,000 seats and a stage that is 300 feet! Casts of the shows are larger, and the use of technology is state of the art. One crowd pleaser is that the animals are real live animals within the show! There is a refreshment area for people to get some of their favorite snacks to enjoy as well as merchandise of dvds and gift cards that can be purchased to support this theater. Audience members can expect detailed shows from costumes, script, music and actions of the cast. The stories they share are done so in ways unlike any other, truly amazing! 

While right now Sight & Sound is unable to put on live shows there are ways for individuals to be a part of this experience through their Sight & Sound TV. This platform gives individuals and families the opportunity to stream and watch their favorite shows, or watch new ones from the comfort of their own home. Subscribing is easy and there is no monthly fee! This TV subscription gives people the opportunity to watch their favorite songs or even learn more about the theater by going behind the scenes and watching their story. There are also shows that are available for purchase, a great way to enjoy the theater at home while supporting the work of so many! Using the Sight & Sound TV would be a great way to enjoy Christmas celebrations with your family in a safe way! 

Do you attend a Christmas celebration every year? Are you wanting to be in person to celebrate Christmas this year? I would suggest checking with your place of worship directly to see if they are allowing in person attendants and if pre-registration is required. Some places are hosting more services with less people to ensure that everyone that wants to safely be in person has that opportunity, others may be offering outdoor services or even online. The places of worship around Lancaster County are working hard to provide Christmas celebrations to those who frequent their spaces. For example Life Church of Lancaster is providing multiple platforms for their parishioners to celebrate Christmas. Life Church is offering two in person services on Christmas eve where they are requiring individuals to wear face masks and social distance, they are doing this by having an online registration for both services to ensure that the attendance is at most 25% capacity. While in person may not be for everyone the Life Church is offering online live streaming of their services or on demand after each. A unique way to make members of their church feel as though they are in person is that they are offering “in-home experience kits” for those who are streaming the services. You can pick up your kit contactless prior to the services on a Sunday. Each kit offers candles, Christmas ornaments and other holiday surprises. This is truly a creative way to get members of their Church to be a part of the celebration in a safe way while at home and feel hands on from their home. In a time of uncertainty it is important to look or ask around as so many places and spaces within Lancaster County are doing different things to celebrate the holidays in a safe way while providing individuals with multiple choices and opportunities to get involved and engaged in whatever way they feel most comfortable. 

As we get closer to Christmas and you are making decisions on how to celebrate, know that there are ways for you to celebrate throughout Lancaster County and many through the comfort of your own home! Maybe you are social distancing and attending a Christmas service, or live streaming a service from your den, maybe you are enjoying a slow quiet morning with your children making Christmas breakfast and staying in your pajamas all day. Whatever you are doing we wish you a safe, healthy and happy holiday! Cheers to the New Year and well wishes for all! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to live in one of the wonderful communities where creativity, music and talent are right in your backyard.  You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

Bent Creek the Community Within

Bent Creek is a gated community as well as a country club located in Lititz, Pennsylvania within Lancaster County. This community is a wonderful place to be a part of the sense of neighborhood and a strong community could not be greater while providing safety in the gated community. Bent Creek gated golf community consists of luxury single family homes and villas. Bent Creek is close to restaurants, school and quick access to the major highways making it truly a great spot for families. The community is in Manheim Township School District which is a very highly rated school system. While it’s location and accessibility is incredible that is not all that Bent Creek community has to offer with many wonderful amenities year round and during the holiday season it is truly a gem within Pennsylvania and a wonderful space within Lancaster County.

Bent Creek Country Club was established by six Lancaster businessmen in 1987. Through working with contractors and organizations their dreams of luxury, leisure, safety and enjoyment were able to come true developing and creating an 18-hole course surrounded by 400 homes. Partnering with Jay Morrish golf course architecture firm the course was created-it’s design and layout truly makes it one of a kind! In 1990 membership began, with an overwhelming response and interest the club was able to sell over 200 memberships very quickly! Not only is the terrain of the course beautiful but the clubhouse offers an incredible opportunity for members to enjoy and relax in a beautiful setting. The club offers four types of membership you can have a golf membership, sports membership, social membership or other membership specifically based on families needs and wants. With so many options joining this establishment opens the doors to endless possibilities of enjoying your community. With that comes the amenities from tennis, to golf, and dining, swimming or special events members can find many ways to get involved and enjoy their time. 

With the course created by the 1991 recipient of Golf Course Architect of the Year the grounds are magnificent from its beauty of lakes, hills, trees and more, upkeep and challenging terrain it makes a day on the course an enjoyable one. The 18-hole course is a par 71 with a yardage range of 5,289 for women and 6,750 for men. The golf shop provides you the opportunity to book your tee time, private lessons, attend multiple events and outings as well as join either the Men or Women’s Association.  

If you are not much of a golfer that is alright, this wonderful community has something for you! The tennis program at Bent Creek provides opportunities for leisure play or competitively with professional lessons for all ages and levels. The courts are Har-Tru courts that are open daily. Like the golf community at Bent Creek there are events, competitions and U.S.T.A. team leagues to enjoy! 

On property there is also the Bent Creek competitive-sixed heated pool. WIth 6-lanes for laps and space to swim recreationally this is the ideal summer spot. Whether lounging by the pool with a new book is your go to in the summer or enjoying a nice snack after a swim, the pool is the best spot to enjoy time with your friends! If your children are interested in swimming there is a swim team they can join, family pool parties to attend and raft & grill nights! 

Aside from the snack bar at the pool within the clubhouse there is a wonderful option of fine dining. They offer casual seating at the bar, have a beautiful outdoor patio, a cafe, and formal dining room. The food is magnificent with a variety of pallets and cuisine options. The culinary staff ensures great experiences every time you go! Bent Creek offers lunch, brunch and dinner options throughout the week and a wonderful reservation system. 

While the club provides safety within the gates, activities for all to enjoy and multiple ways to get involved within the community through teams, and associations they also offer the opportunity for you to host an event on property from weddings, meetings, reunions, outings you name it! You can work with the staff to plan and execute the event of your dreams. 

This year Bent Creek has worked to get us all in the holiday spirit in a safe way with a Santa Parade! There was a parade throughout Bent Creek with Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, reindeer and more! You were able to go out into your yard to watch the parade and receive a Christmas surprise from santa. Neighbors within the community could join in on the parade by decorating their golf carts for the holiday festivities, and the bar at the clubhouse provided an opportunity to watch the parade with beverages. The holiday feeling was so present you could see smiles on everyone’s faces young and old! 

Whether it is to find a place where you can reside with just a short walk to enjoy wonderful amenities or you are searching for a family friendly community look no further than Bent Creek their efforts to ensure neighborhood feeling mixed with wonderful events, competition and safety are unlike any other! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to live in a wonderful community like Bent Creek where you could enjoy wonderful holiday traditions with your loved ones, days on the course or games of tennis and wonderful dining.  You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

Support Local

As the days get colder and we are looking for ways to help others it is important to stay informed on what is open in our area. With restrictions and guidelines changing local businesses may have to close or change the way they are doing things. This list of businesses can help you find places to support during these uncertain times. It is important to note this list does not have all the restaurants and businesses that are open so be sure to check in with your favorite spots to see if and how you can help them!

http://palockdown.com

Walking in Lancaster Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane snow is glistening! A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight walking in a Lancaster Wonderland! As we continue through the month of December and the holiday season it may be hard to get into the spirit. The weather is getting colder and amidst the pandemic it can be hard to find fun things to do. While Lancaster County has always gone above and beyond during the holidays that has not changed during the pandemic. Our favorite holiday activities, events and traditions are continuing in new, unique and safe ways! I would like to share three of my holiday favorites within Lancaster that you can enjoy with your family! 

Elizabeth Farms is a year round establishment located at 262 Hopeland Road Lititz, PA 17543. This 8th generation family owned farm is a beautiful location to buy your Christmas tree  and home to many animals including Mangalitsa pigs! These pigs are 100% natural, free range and GMO free treated. With the pandemic the farm has moved to 3 ways of distributing their products, you can pick from pick up, have it delivered or have it shipped! A great way to support local and enjoy your favorites! What makes Elizabeth special is their annual Christmas celebrations at the farm and this year is no different! Following safety procedures and protocols the farm has been able to create their wonderful holiday ambiance for so many to enjoy! This year they are pre-cutting their Christmas trees for purchase. While at the farm you can enjoy their delicious free hot chocolate stations. Their gift shop is open and full of wonderful gift ideas for those on your list! While this year they are not hosting their horse drawn wagon ride to cut your own tree it is important to note that is an annual opportunity they offer for families, be sure to check back next Christmas for hopeful rides! A family favorite of ours is their Christmas Fantasy Barn that holds their model trains, holiday window display and Santa’s workshop where you can get your photo taken with Santa! Photos are offered 10:00am-4:00pm each weekend! The farm now has transformed into a farm to table experience where their food and drinks are unlike any other! This is a great way to enjoy local draft beer, season cider and other wonderful cocktails with friends! This family owned farm is truly bringing the Christmas cheer this year! 

Another Lancaster favorite of my family’s is Hershey Park’s annual Christmas Candylane! Every year Hershey creates a light show like no other! With millions of lights this walking lane brings you to Santa his reindeer, rides and tasty treats! To maintain social distance tickets are needed to be purchased ahead of time. If you are not comfortable with walking through their Candylane Hersey is offering a drive through opportunity for families to enjoy over 600 light displays. Get your favorite cozy clothes on, stock up on your favorite chocolate treats and enjoy cruising through this winter wonderland! Not from the area or unable to do a day trip and enjoy these holiday events? Hershey is offering cookies from the Santa room package that includes free milk and cookies to enjoy as a family before, after or during your park exploration! Before heading home a must in our family is stopping at their gift shop to stock up on all our favorite sweets-these are wonderful stocking stuffers, or little extras to add to holiday gifts! 

The last holiday attraction I would like to share with you is at Stone Gables Estates. The Estates offer a variety of Christmas attractions, there is something everyone in your family will enjoy! Every Friday and Saturday from 5:00pm-9:00pm you can drive through their Christmas Lights, a beautiful trail full of bright lights! This is a 2.6 mile drive decked out in over 600,000 LED lights. On Saturdays and a few weekdays you can hop on the Santa Express and enjoy a Christmas experience through a narrated train ride, this includes holiday sing alongs, meeting Santa and enjoying delicious hot chocolate! The Estate also offers Christmas dinner at the Star Barn. This event gives you the chance to relax in a Christmas wonderland while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, and a delicious dinner. You can enjoy their gift shop, live christmas music and their village. Each of these Christmas attractions require tickets, I suggest booking in advance to ensure you and your loved ones can enjoy all that the Stone Gables Estates have to offer! 

While these are three of my favorite holiday attractions in Lancaster they are not the only ones. Be sure to check out downtown Lancaster, Lititz and other towns to enjoy their holiday season with gift shopping, enjoying their holiday decorations and local delicacies (always a great gift idea for someone you love). The holidays are always a wonderful way to get the family together, enjoy each other’s company and reflect on the year behind while looking forward to the year ahead. Get in the holiday spirit this year by trying one of the many wonderful attractions Lancaster has to offer or get creative with your family to create a new holiday tradition! Whether you and your family hop in the car to see the christmas lights, support a local business by buying one of their cookie kits or find a group of friends to host a virtual secret santa with Lancaster County is here to make this holiday season one that is unforgettable full of laughter, joy and love! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to live in our winter wonderland every year.  You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

Exploring Amish Markets & Roadstands

One of the reasons Lancaster County is a unique, vibrant place to live is because of the history of the County. One piece of history are the groups of people who live within Lancaster, the Pennsylvania Amish have been a community since the 16th century. The Amish are a religious community that live amongst one another within a simple way of living. The blend between communities amongs Lancaster County is a reason why we all love to live here. Through food, produce and materials there is a wonderful community within Lancaster County where the Pennsylvania Amish and other members in the community work together to use the local land to create and provide for one another. This week’s article I am going to dive into the Pennsylvania Amish and the wonderful items they provide for so many! A great day in Lancaster is experiencing the Pennsylvania Amish markets full of food and wonderful gift ideas! 

Pennsylvania Amish is the largest and oldest Amish community within the United States. Their religious beliefs come from within the Mennonite beliefs, though different. Their traditions focus on farming, worship within homes and not moving with modern ways of being such as use of technology or electricity. They arrived within Pennsylvania in the early 1700’s settling creating their community. The Amish community can be spotted within Lancaster County by many distinctions such as driving a horse and buggy on the streets!

One of the ways our communities flourish is through the Amish Markets, there are no better places to pick up fresh produce or delicious baked goods. Stopping over to a market on your way home from an early morning walk or to stock up for a weekend family gathering is your best bet to ensure everyone is eating with a smile on their face! With so much to choose from you are sure everyone will be satisfied. A few of my favorite market finds are 

  • Fresh Flowers
  • Homemade Jellies
  • Fruits
  • Homemade Root Beer
  • Seasonal Vegetables 
  • Whoopie Pies
  • Chicken Pot Pie
  • Baked Breads and Sweets

What is wonderful about the Amish markets are that we can buy fresh and local produce that is truly tasty! Being able to buy the local and fresh produce also gives us the advantage of consuming healthier produce since the food we are buying are not traveling to us. A few markets to check out for some Amish delicacies are:

  • Darrenkamp’s Market
  • Bird-In-Hand
  • Green Dragon Farmers Market & Auction
  • Kissel Hill Fruit Farm Orchard & Market
  • Lancaster Central Market (a historic farmer’s market in downtown Lancaster City)

While going to a market is a great way to get an array of items at one stop be sure to stop at a Roadside stand next time you pass one! Roadside stands are stands on the side of the road where you can pick up produce – literally farm to table shopping. Most roadstands are on the backroads a few of my favorite stands are:

  • Sheep Lane Produce Stand 
  • Fisher’s Festivals
  • The Corn Wagon

One way to enjoy the Amish markets or Roadstands is take your family there and pick out your produce to then create a meal together, this makes it a family affair and also a great learning opportunity for young children to cook while also learning about seasonal produce and the nutrients that come from the foods you choose to cook with. Consider trying this out, a great way to get the family together, learn a new recipe and enjoy one another’s company! 

While the markets and roadstands meet your needs for food and beautiful floral arrangements it is important to learn about the Amish delicacies and craftsmanship that you can also enjoy when in Lancaster County or take home! Let me share a few of my favorite handcrafts for you to check out:

  • Peaceful Valley Furniture offers wooden handmade furniture such as tables, chairs, bookshelves, bed frames and more! If you are new to the neighborhood or wanting to mix up your house decor look no further! Wellmade and long lasting furniture your whole family can enjoy~
  • Family Farm Quilts & Handcrafts put aside your blankets and grab an Amish quilt they are beautifully made with colors and patterns galore as well as incredibly warm. As the winter days get colder these quilts are a great gift for your holiday shopping~

While these two stores have wonderful items there are more homegoods you won’t want to miss as you explore Lancaster’s Amish shops and markets. A few of my favorite buys are:

  • Brooms
  • Baskets
  • Soaps
  • Linens
  • Pottery
  • Potholders
  • Birdhouses

A few things to know when shopping at Amish markets or Roadstands is that the shops are closed on Sundays as well as certain holidays due to their religious faith. Be sure to bring cash when shopping because credit cards are typically not accepted (when stopping at a roadstand look for where to put your money, if someone is not there you will typically find a jar, container or box for you to pay for your items). 

Whether it is a day in Lancaster County or you are looking to move into the area Pennsylvania Amish provide wonderful fresh and local food as well as incredible craftsmanship. Their markets and learning about their community is a must see and do! Head to Lancaster County to experience it for yourself, the perfect way to spend the day as a family or to get out with your friends for some holiday shopping, a wonderful way to support locally and experience Lancaster flavor!   

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to experience the farm to table food and locally created home goods of Lancaster County’s Pennsylvania Amish whenever you hope.  You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

Frying up Some Good Eats

What makes a community full of life, culture, laughs, smiles and happiness? Many would say good people, kindness and nice things to do but I would add good eats to that list! Great food and wonderful restaurants truly make a community flourish creating a space for neighbors to enjoy one another, great meals, laughter and time with their loved ones. Lancaster County is known for not only good eats but GREAT eats! The cities and towns that make up our county are full of some of the most tasty spots! Let’s celebrate those restaurants, delis, bakeries, cafes and eateries! Check out some of my go to favorite spots around town! 

Back in 2016 the New York Post highlighted our wonderful Lancaster and how great it is including the food scene being one of the best! 3 years later the New York Times took to their pages to praise our food spots as “a global feast”, you cannot disagree with that! While Lancaster has hundreds of wonderful spots to enjoy a meal I am just going to touch on two of my favorites so be sure to take time next time you are in the area to walk the streets of our wonderful towns and see if you can find some more great spots, truly a diverse array of food and atmospheres there is something for everyone! 

The first spot I would like to highlight is Rachel’s Cafe & Creperie. This spot has two locations, one in downtown Lancaster and the other in Richmond Square. They are open Tuesday thru Sunday 8:00am-3:00pm. Full of so many delicious options there are breakfast crepes, specialty crepes, dessert crepes, wonderful drinks and smoothies! Crepes were started in France back in the 13th century, this is just one of the many ways Lancaster food spots bring different origins to our community through food! With such an array of options this is a fun spot for a quick catch up with friends or trying a few crepes. A fun way to adapt with the pandemic is that their Richmond Square location offers crepe kits for pickup, talk about a fun way to spend your Saturday, learning to make crepes and enjoy them in the comfort of your home! 

The second spot I want to highlight for you all is Flora’s Restaurant. They are open Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays taking reservations and also offering take out. Their menu changes frequently which makes this spot a fun place to go to with a variety of options and new foods to try! Flora’s is a Latin restaurant, with the menu changing daily it gives restaurant goers a large palette of options within Latin food! A few unique aspects about Flora’s, their atmosphere is creative and fun with tables made out of instruments. They also have a podcast where people can submit questions that will then be featured on the podcast. Currently, Flora’s is in the process of manufacturing their sauces for retail! Flora’s also works to highlight local artists as they have a gallery on their website where you can see commissioned pieces as well as at their restaurant. Such a creative and great way to connect with local businesses and help one another! 

And Lancaster County is continuing to shape, grow and change within the food scene with wonderful chefs coming to our space to new regions of food being highlighted at restaurants and places opening! The excitement around the food scene is ever growing and changing! One spot I am excited to try is Collusion Tap Works coming to Lititz soon, it is going to be located in the Lititz Shirt Factory…what a cool piece of history. I am excited to see how it turns out! 

With so many great spots in Lancaster County it is hard to just pick a few favorite spots! It doesn’t matter how long you have been here you are always bound to run into a new food joint you have never tried! A great way to continue your Lancaster food journey is appetizer hoping! A fun activity for you and your friends, all you need is to pick one of our towns or a block in the city. Then one day or evening meet up with your friends and go to a handful of spots you’ve never been enjoying an appetizer or two before moving onto the next restaurant. This is a great way to try multiple places, support our local businesses and enjoy time with your loved ones! As the days get colder another great way to safely try new spots is ordering takeout once a month or a couple times depending on your routine! Enjoy the creativity and art of our wonderful restaurants, you’ll be full of delight! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to experience the delicious restaurant life of Lancaster County whenever you desire.  You will love it here!
For more information on wonderful homes call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at WolfandWebb.com

Declutter Help Others

Many people think about Spring being the season of cleaning but why not make it the end of Fall too! Any time of year can be a good time of year to do some decluttering and cleaning within your house. As the pandemic has had many of us at home more than usual you may be noticing that you have A LOT of stuff! Maybe your grown children are back home and you are realizing you have old things from their high school days that haven’t been used in years, or you are starting to get ideas for decorating this holiday season and you are realizing with each bin you sift through there are more an more items you don’t even remember what you used them for, possibly you have been wanting to make the move to a smaller home and can’t take all the stuff with you that you’ve accumulated over the years. 

Whatever your reasoning is it is always a good idea to take some time to declutter within your home. I try to do it a few times a year to make sure we aren’t holding on to things we will never use, or have grown out of. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks to start the declutter process and be successful:

  • Make it a family affair, set a few dates throughout the weekends that way everyone is able to help out
  • Create new organizational habits, consider folders or shelfs that become designated spots for your needs. You can label the folders-bills, mail, receipts
  • When going through papers, photos, magazines or documents consider having three options shred, file and recycle this way in the moment you aren’t adding it to a pile because you don’t want to deal with a private document or are finding doubles of old photos (with doubles a great thing to do is use it as a card for the person, write their birthday, thank you or even just a thinking of you on the back before mailing it and this is a great way to make a card personalized while saving on greeting cards)
  • Find a playlist you enjoy or tune in to a new artist and play music during your day of  decluttering, this keeps everyone in a good mood
  • Set goals-go through your closet, the garage, basement or house closets. Setting up goals for the declutters can keep you on track when trying to work through what might seem like a daunting task
  • When going through a drawer pull everything out and have a garbage bag nearby, take time to go through medicine cabinets and look at expiration dates of medicine or makeup. When you take everything out of a drawer or cabinet you are more likely to find things that need to be thrown out
  • When going through items many times I stop and question an item unsure if I should keep it or get rid of it- I now ask myself if I was shopping now would I buy this? Or, when was the last time I used this? If you are honest with yourself answering those two questions you know right  away what to do with the item
  • When going through books I have read I enjoy thinking about the story and passing it along to a friend I think would enjoy the book leaving a note for them to pass it to someone they think would like it once they finish the book, this is a great way to share something you enjoyed with someone and thoughtful for the individual’ that is receiving a new read
  • Stay organized, having designated bags, boxes or bins for donation, garbage, and giving to someone or selling. This is a great way to not mistake what might be able to be donated versus what has had it’s fair use and is time to get rid of
  • Be okay with taking time to reminisce, when decluttering you may come across old momentums that make memories flash before you. Take a moment and take in those memories or share a laugh with who it reminds you of
    • Take a lunch break, sometimes decluttering can cause some disagreements. It is always a good idea to take a break when everyone has worked for a few hours to enjoy a nice meal together. This is a great way to decompress before starting up the work again and remember what you are gaining by working through the decluttering-such as space, time, less to clean
  • Lastly, pick locations you can donate your stuff to. Finding local organizations that take appliances, furniture, clothing and other household favorites can be very easy

If you live in Lancaster County consider contacting Off the Street to donate your items. Off the Street is a non-profit that works to end homelessness helping individuals and families transition into housing. This organization takes furniture and other household items. Be sure to check their website for their current donation wish list. When donating to an organization checking their wish list or contacting the organization first is important you do not want to give them items they either do not need or can’t use. This makes more work for the volunteers at these sights. 

If you have gone through your closets and have a lot of clothing in good condition you have a lot of options consider making a bag of hand-me downs for someone you know, look at the consignment shops in the area if you would like to try to sell items, or contact Lancaster Food Hub! Lancaster Food Hub has a clothing bank where community members in need can shop for free! Clothing donations make up all the clothing that is distributed to community members, your donations truly are making a difference! As the pandemic continues it is important to note that more people than ever are looking to organizations like these to find support, if you have the ability to donate gently used items I am sure it is greatly appreciated!

These are both great organizations where you know that neighbors within the community are able to benefit from the materials you donate. Should you declutter your house and realize you have a lot that needs to go to the garbage and is not necessarily salvageable to be donated consider a monetary donation or volunteering your time. Both organizations have monetary donation spots on their websites as well as volunteer inquire forms. It is important to note these are not the only two nonprofits to donate to there are many wonderful organizations within our county working to help others! Organizations are taking precautions with the pandemic to ensure safety of volunteers, community members using their facilities and donations, look up how they are accepting donations, some are doing contactless pick up or contactless drop offs. 

As we make the season of Fall a new season of decluttering our homes or spaces let’s make it the start of the season of giving. Take time to give gently used items to wonderful organizations in Lancaster County who work to help those in need! This is one of the many reasons why Lancaster’s sense of community and neighborly love is ever present in the organizations and people who reside in our County. Be a part of that reason! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to experience the community of Lancaster and ability to join a space of supporting your neighbors. You will love it here!
For more information on wonderful homes call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at MarySueWolf.kw.com