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WHAT TO<br />

BUY...<br />

FOR EVERYONE<br />

ON YOUR LIST!<br />

SIGNATURE<br />

DISH<br />

DRUMMING UP<br />

SOMETHING<br />

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HAUTE<br />

HOLIDAY<br />

DECK MORE<br />

THAN JUST<br />

YOUR HALLS<br />

THIS YEAR!<br />

PLUS:<br />

CHRISTMAS<br />

EVER!


Mark Pontz<br />

It seems that every time you<br />

turn on the television or read the<br />

newspaper there is disconcerting<br />

news about mortgages.<br />

When the time comes that you<br />

need a mortgage or a home equity<br />

loan, turn to the professional with<br />

over fourteen years of experience.<br />

Someone who has lived and worked<br />

in our community all of his life.<br />

Someone who has been lauded<br />

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Place your trust with someone who<br />

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Contents<br />

EDITORIAL STAFF<br />

ART DIRECTOR Katerina Kuss<br />

WEB DESIGNER Chris Ruch<br />

PUBLISHER Virtual Media Group<br />

COVER STORIES<br />

22 Haute Holiday: Our Fashion Plate winners show off their holiday glamour<br />

in some of the season’s most delightful high fashion.<br />

32 What to Buy...For Everyone?:<br />

A fabulous gift guide to help you through the holiday with suggestions on what to buy<br />

for mom and dad, the boss, friends, and more!<br />

42 Signature Dish:<br />

Steve Puffer of Zanzibar and Steve Brown of Lily’s on Main in Ephrata sat down with<br />

chef Kelly Kapinos to create this issue’s Signature Dish, Pretzel Chicken.<br />

46 B&B King: Harry Jefferies and his dedicated<br />

team of realtors reveal the ins and outs of selling<br />

and buying Bed and Breakfasts.<br />

REGULARS<br />

4 Meet<br />

Fulton Actress, Brittany Leffler<br />

7 Plan<br />

Savers, Investors, and Speculators<br />

9 Relax<br />

You Can Get a Some Help from<br />

Y.E.S. Concierge<br />

12 Give<br />

Providing Hope with the<br />

Milagro House<br />

18 Meet the Chef<br />

Micah Webster of Molly’s Pub<br />

21 Escrow<br />

Jim Cramer is Not from Lancaster!<br />

28 Lunch<br />

Superintendent of Hempfield<br />

School District, Dr. Brenda Becker<br />

31 Find<br />

Bernards at Brighton<br />

38 See<br />

Seeing the Light at Living Light Gallery<br />

46 Live<br />

B&B King Harry Jefferies and His Team<br />

53 Invest<br />

The Importance of Asset Allocation<br />

54 Listen<br />

Peter White Christmas<br />

ADDITIONS<br />

16 My Lancaster<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>’s Brand New Feature<br />

This Issue: Bill Puffer & Nancy Morris<br />

On the cover: Jenna Collins. Jewelry supplied by Warren Jewellers including the stunning 5.89 karat diamond ring.<br />

Cover hair and makeup by Avanti Salon. Above necklace: Hearts on Fire, Succession Pendant from Warren Jewellers.<br />

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />

Mark Pontz, Matthew G. Zanowiak, Maia Cargas, Paul Scott, Sue Barry, BJ Cherry, Rich Friedman<br />

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Steve Stoltzfus<br />

COPY EDITOR Victoria Henderson<br />

48 The Best Christmas Ever!:<br />

A trip down memory lane for some recollections<br />

of a favorite Christmas past.<br />

Signature Dish, Pretzel Chicken<br />

LCD TVs are still a big hit for that special<br />

someone on your list. Check it out in<br />

What to Buy, page 32.<br />

The Women of Avanti<br />

Fine Living Lancaster is published quarterly by Virtual Media Group. All contents of this issue of Fine Living Lancaster are copyrighted by Fine<br />

Living Lancaster and Virtual Media Group. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part<br />

without the consent of the publisher. For advertising, article, and all other information, email info@finelivinglancaster.com, call 717.669.9303<br />

or visit www.finelivinglancaster.com.<br />

The holiday season already? How is this<br />

possible? It was just yesterday that<br />

we were releasing our premiere<br />

issue! Well, it has certainly been<br />

our pleasure bringing you Fine<br />

Living Lancaster for this, our first<br />

year. As we bring to you our holiday<br />

issue, we want to say thank you for the warm<br />

and welcoming reception that we have received<br />

from our readers. We have been overwhelmed<br />

by your comments and accolades, and we can think<br />

of no better way to thank you than to bring you another issue<br />

filled with more of the fine things in Lancaster life... so off we go!<br />

From the cover is Haute Holiday, featuring the winners of our Fashion<br />

Plate contest including our cover model Jenna Collins. Surely you have<br />

already noticed the nearly six carat diamond ring Jenna is sporting. Yes, it<br />

is real, and it is waiting for you right now at Warren Jewellers! All of the<br />

fabulous ladies (and a great story on how one of them came to be an <strong>FLL</strong><br />

model) await you draped in holiday finery beginning on page twenty two.<br />

In this issue we are exited to introduce two brand new features. First, for<br />

the culinary curious we debut Signature Dish. In this ongoing feature we<br />

will be bringing together two minds, an <strong>FLL</strong> reader<br />

with a passion for food and a restaurateur with a<br />

desire for innovation. We will put them together for<br />

conversation and creation, and the result will<br />

be a dish culled from the meeting of these<br />

minds – a dish inspired by the connection, a<br />

Fine Living Lancaster Signature Dish. You will<br />

be an insider to the creation of the dish, and<br />

the very best part? You can enjoy the fruits of<br />

their collaboration as the restaurant will feature<br />

the dish on their menu for at least ninety days!<br />

For the commencement of Signature Dish,<br />

we connected two people with the same<br />

first name. But, this commonality was not the<br />

reason we connected them. Find out the real<br />

connection between these two people on<br />

page forty two. Fair warning though, be sure<br />

you have your phone with you as you read,<br />

we are confident that you will be calling for a<br />

reservation to sample this new epicurean delight<br />

as soon as you finish reading.<br />

Another debut this issue is My Lancaster.<br />

We are opening our pages to the thoughts<br />

of individuals that love not just Lancaster in<br />

general, but a specific area in particular. We start<br />

this new feature with the musings of Bill Puffer<br />

and Nancy Morris. Both of these names have<br />

been synonymous with Downtown Lancaster<br />

for a very long time. They live there; they work<br />

there, and they play there, so who else could<br />

better express a passion for our Downtown?<br />

My Lancaster debuts on page sixteen.<br />

Of course your favorites are back; you will get<br />

acquainted with one of the bright and shining<br />

lights of the Fulton Theater in Meet on page<br />

four. And you will get an insight on the Bed<br />

& Breakfast game from Harry Jefferies in Live<br />

on page forty six. On page thirty one, Find<br />

Bernard’s at Brighton where you can enjoy a<br />

day of rejuvenation before the holidays begin in<br />

From the Editor:<br />

earnest. Meet The Chef returns on page eighteen with Micah Webster<br />

of Molly’s Pub. Micah is a gregarious and animated fellow with a viewpoint<br />

on dining out that will be sure to have you adding Molly’s to your dining<br />

out list.<br />

Speaking of the holidays, we had to make sure you were prepared for<br />

the gift giving with the very finest choices for everyone on your list. Maia<br />

Cargas did all of your legwork for you, and the perfect gift for everyone<br />

is ready for your discovery on page thirty two. And while fine gifts are<br />

certainly a part of the season, fine memories are gifts that are truly<br />

priceless. We were fortunate to have collected some holiday memories<br />

from a diverse group of Lancastrians in the Best Christmas Ever beginning<br />

on page forty eight.<br />

And, as we look to think of others that could use a helping hand not just<br />

during the holidays, but every day, we are pleased to bring you the return<br />

of Give. We invited Renee Valentine of Milagro House to bring us the<br />

story of this wonderful place doing good works every day. Truly this house<br />

is a very, very fine house.<br />

All this and much more await you just ahead. We invite you to pour a<br />

glass of eggnog, turn the page and enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed<br />

bringing it to you. We wish you a fine holiday season, and we look forward<br />

to seeing you in 2008! <strong>FLL</strong><br />

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meet<br />

For ticket infomation<br />

call the Fulton at<br />

717-397-7425<br />

or visit<br />

www.thefulton.org<br />

Brittany Leffler<br />

Appearing in the Fulton Theater’s, Fiddler on the Roof,<br />

November 29 – December 30, 2007<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Tell us about your role in Fiddler on the Roof?<br />

BL: Well, I haven’t begun rehearsals yet; they begin Nov. 6; however,<br />

I’ll tell you what I know. I’m playing Mirala. She’s a Jewish momma in the<br />

village of Anatevka (a little village with mostly Jews and Russians occupying<br />

it). I’ll be a member of the chorus, and will be dancing and singing all<br />

throughout the show.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: How did you land the role?<br />

BL: I’ve worked with the director, Gary John LaRosa, in a previous show<br />

at the Fulton. He cast me in the fall of ‘06 as Cha Cha DiGregorio in<br />

Grease. It was a wonderful, fun experience for both of us, and I think it was<br />

just a matter of time before we worked together again. So I showed up for<br />

the audition for Fiddler on the Roof about a month ago, and Gary John must<br />

have seen something in me that he wanted for his show. So he offered me<br />

the role of Mirala, and I happily accepted!<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: You also have another connection to the Fulton, correct?<br />

BL: I’m the costume associate here at the Fulton. This is my third season<br />

as a full-time staff member in the costume department. I work very closely<br />

with the costume shop supervisor/ wig designer, and the costume designer.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: So then, the question with the likely obvious answer, which is more<br />

fun, backstage or onstage?<br />

BL: Yikes, you want to get me in trouble?! Okay, well, I’ll absolutely give<br />

you an honest answer, and I bet it’s not a surprise. I love to perform; it’s<br />

what I was born to do. Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to be on<br />

the stage. I would stage impromptu concerts on my bed, with my bedposts<br />

as my “microphone.” I even remember back in third grade, wanting so<br />

badly to be Julia Roberts in the movie Pretty Woman that I signed my<br />

papers “Vivian” and insisted that my life’s ambition was to “be a hooker.”<br />

I remember crying at the movie “Annie” because at the end when the<br />

fi reworks are going off and Annie is safe and sound with her new family,<br />

I wanted to be “in the TV with them!” I’m really happy as the costume<br />

associate too – I went to college and earned a degree in theatre, so I<br />

discovered the joys of being backstage there. And I honestly love both,<br />

believe it or not. Being behind the scenes, scrambling to get those last few<br />

costumes built, or fi nding the perfect 1850’s velvet boot (or better yet,<br />

fi nding it for less than $30!) is pretty exciting too.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: It sounds like both things are fun! Tell us a bit about your family. Are<br />

they here in Lancaster?<br />

BL: I’m actually from a small town in Nebraska! I moved here a little over<br />

two years ago. My parents are barbers back in Nebraska, and I have three<br />

younger brothers. Here in Lancaster, my better half’s name is Brian, and<br />

we have an adorable Pomeranian pup, Gus. We live in a little row house in<br />

downtown Lancaster and love it. It’s quite different here than in Nebraska<br />

– most people back there have their own yards, their own garages even!<br />

When I fi rst visited Lancaster, it felt like I’d time-traveled – everything here<br />

is so historic, so condensed, but so intricate and beautiful too.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: So being a transplant, other than the theater, what is your favorite<br />

thing or place so far in Lancaster?<br />

BL: Defi nitely Central Market. I count the days down ‘til the next market<br />

day. The Espresso Yourself coffee guys are so funny, and the Salad Stand<br />

is my go-to for lunch. If I want a really special treat (which is basically<br />

every day I go there), I visit Wendy Jo for her famous pumpkin rolls or<br />

her creamcheese muffi ns/cupcakes (if I visit her in the morning, I call<br />

them “muffi ns”).<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Well, on behalf of Fine Living Lancaster, we think that you are going<br />

to be one of Lancaster’s favorite things! Welcome, and thanks for spending<br />

some time with us. <strong>FLL</strong>


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Savers, Investors, and Speculators<br />

By Matthew G. Zanowiak, ChFC<br />

The Planners in our Practice meet<br />

with many different types of people<br />

every week. The younger Planners<br />

often meet with couples who are relatively<br />

just starting out. They have young children<br />

or no children, a house, two incomes,<br />

day care expenses and tons of dreams<br />

and ambitions. We may help them with<br />

some life or disability insurance, establishing<br />

an initial emergency fund, a college 529<br />

Investment Plan or a Roth IRA.<br />

The next group of people we help is fairly<br />

well established and full throttle into their<br />

goals and desires. They’ve been putting<br />

money away for college (or have children<br />

who have graduated), their retirement<br />

plan at work has a couple of zeros after it;<br />

they’re at the back-end of their mortgage<br />

and starting to put away more money on a<br />

regular basis. We typically help these folks<br />

with the initial stages of Estate Planning,<br />

make sure their Asset Allocation (which<br />

eggs in which baskets?) is consistent with<br />

their tolerance for risk, and analyze what<br />

their retirement income is likely to be.<br />

At the opposite end of the spectrum we<br />

help clients who are a pitching wedge<br />

away from retiring from their full time<br />

positions. These folks usually have<br />

grandchildren or some in the making; their<br />

homes are close to being paid off, and<br />

more and more they are caring for their<br />

parents. Their larger concern is more often<br />

the return of their money rather than the<br />

return on their money.<br />

This introduction is kind of a long way to<br />

go for a drink of water, but what do all<br />

of these folks have in common? Answer:<br />

They have a need to balance future income<br />

and asset goals with current available cash<br />

flow and account balances. The difference,<br />

however, may lie in the ways they<br />

complete this task.<br />

Some people are Savers; some are<br />

Investors, and some are Speculators. While<br />

these labels may seem like the same thing,<br />

the differences can be substantial. Take the<br />

couple who has decided to squirrel away<br />

$25 every month for Junior’s college bill.<br />

While certainly admirable, this less-than-adollar-a-day<br />

commitment should hardly be<br />

called Investing; this is Saving. While it can<br />

be argued that saving will lead to investing<br />

and, at least initially, the habit of regularly<br />

setting money aside is more important<br />

than the amount you are setting aside,<br />

this is still Saving. Unfortunately, you will<br />

not Save your way to a large dollar (aka<br />

College or Retirement) goal in a relatively<br />

short time frame.<br />

Permit me, if you will, to make an illadvised<br />

leap from Saving to Speculating.<br />

Know anyone who watches their<br />

investments several times a day and<br />

changes their holdings more frequently<br />

than the Convention Center move-in date?<br />

This is a form of Speculator. He is trying<br />

to time the market, get in and get out<br />

based on the illogical, emotional whims of<br />

the stock market. The Market’s been up<br />

for three days so he switches to bonds.<br />

It’s been twenty years since the Market’s<br />

largest single day decline (October, 1987)<br />

so I’m going to cash. The moon is full<br />

under Aquarius so I’m buying water stocks.<br />

All are positively ludicrous reasons to make<br />

wholesale changes to a portfolio. Yet many<br />

Speculators will do just that while chasing<br />

the Holy Grail of one half of one percent<br />

extra rate of return. The fact of the<br />

matter is that the deck is stacked heavily<br />

against this person. Case in point: over a<br />

year’s time, if you were to miss the five<br />

best days in the market (because you<br />

speculated out) your actual returns for said<br />

year would be decimated.<br />

Cradled comfortably between the Saver<br />

and the Speculator is the Investor. This<br />

person has a big picture view of what he<br />

wants to accomplish. With the help of<br />

an accredited, seasoned Professional, he<br />

carefully assesses his situation. After this<br />

assestment, he chooses a path on which to<br />

travel and then does something astonishing:<br />

he resists any paralysis-by-analysis, avoids<br />

the “on your mark...get-set...get-set...getset...get-set”<br />

syndrome and actually begins.<br />

Novel concept? You’d be surprised. The<br />

road away from success is studded with<br />

reasons not to do something.<br />

Although two of my best friends are<br />

Rocket Scientists, this, folks, is not Rocket<br />

Science. With the help of a guide to design<br />

the course as well as watch his back, the<br />

Investor set a target, chose the best tool<br />

to hit that target, started down the path<br />

realizing there will be road blocks and<br />

detours along the way, and is loath to<br />

make wholesale changes based on shortterm<br />

distractions.<br />

The game plan? Once you have started,<br />

review your progress regularly. Make<br />

minor adjustments along the way and<br />

major changes only when absolutely<br />

necessary. Ponder this: When a 747 takes<br />

off from Lancaster Airport (Check that.<br />

That’s speculating). When a jet leaves<br />

Harrisburg heading to Chicago, for fully<br />

95% of the journey the pilot cannot see<br />

his target. He knows the Windy City is out<br />

there, but he cannot see it. In fact most of<br />

the time, his aircraft is off course. It is with<br />

subtle corrections along the way that he<br />

is able to arrive safely in Chicago relatively<br />

on time.<br />

Your Investment Portfolio should be the<br />

same. Discover where you are today,<br />

choose a direction, design a game plan,<br />

implement your strategy, make subtle<br />

corrections as necessary, and avoid<br />

the temptation to jump in and out of<br />

the market. It might even help to have<br />

someone who has been there before to<br />

give you some guidance.<br />

As we head into the New Year, I can’t<br />

resist the time tattered tradition of helping<br />

you get organized. Therefore, here are a<br />

few tips (in no particular order) to help you<br />

solve some Financial Problems you may be<br />

wrestling with or accomplish some Financial<br />

Goals you’ve had in mind:<br />

1. Avoid Water Cooler Financial Planning.<br />

The guy at the office usually is not the<br />

guru he professes to be. Take the rate<br />

of return he proudly broadcasts and cut<br />

it in half. Now you’re getting closer to<br />

the truth.<br />

2. Do not marry an investment. At some<br />

point it will be time to get out of the<br />

mutual fund. It’s an investment strategy,<br />

not a tattoo.<br />

3. Stay on track and stay invested.<br />

4. Resist the urge to change just because<br />

everyone else is. Remember the<br />

proverbial bridge your mother used<br />

to ask you about jumping off with your<br />

friends?<br />

5. Ignore external, short-term distractions.<br />

It’s just noise.<br />

6. Realize you are investing for the long<br />

term. Act that way.<br />

7. Measure with your odometer not a<br />

micrometer. It is forty-four miles from<br />

our office in Oregon Commons to<br />

Harrisburg. I can measure that distance<br />

with the odometer in my car, a tape<br />

measure, a yard stick, or a ruler. Each<br />

will work. Which is more practical?<br />

Watching and changing your investments<br />

on a daily basis is tantamount to<br />

measuring the trip to our Capital with<br />

a ruler. Use the odometer and enjoy<br />

the trip.<br />

8. Avoid the “on your mark...get-set...getset...get-set”<br />

syndrome.<br />

9. Begin today.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong><br />

Matthew G. Zanowiak is a Chartered Financial<br />

Consultant with Lancaster Financial Services.<br />

With over twenty-four years in the Financial<br />

Service Industry his practice focuses on Total<br />

Financial Planning, emphasizing on Retirement<br />

Planning and College Planning. You can visit him<br />

at www.lancasterfinancialgroup.com or call him<br />

at 717-569-4004.<br />

Plan<br />

7


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Relax<br />

10<br />

Don’t Do It Yourself<br />

Say “Yes” to Y.E.S. Concierge<br />

By Maia Cargas<br />

Your Errand & Services Concierge is a<br />

unique service new to the area as of June.<br />

I had the pleasure of talking with Nancy<br />

Stewart, managing partner and one of<br />

the four founders. Stewart has acquired<br />

experience from a range of industries,<br />

including more than twenty years in<br />

sales, marketing, and tourism. Nancy’s<br />

professional and personal life experiences<br />

enable her to provide superior service in<br />

her most recent endeavor.<br />

Y.E.S. Concierge offers a range of<br />

services from pet care to event planning.<br />

Shopping, traveling, and business services<br />

are examples of common services offered<br />

by this unique company. Gift certificates<br />

are available, which can be very helpful<br />

through the holiday season. Personal<br />

shopping and gift-wrapping services are<br />

also conducive to a relaxed holiday. This<br />

service will do whatever it takes to satisfy<br />

its clients. From small errands to planning<br />

big events, Y.E.S. Concierge will provide<br />

any necessary arrangements to make your<br />

day a success.<br />

Nancy explains the business in her<br />

own words…<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: What is the purpose behind Y.E.S.<br />

Concierge?<br />

Y.E.S.: The purpose of the business is to<br />

help other people enjoy life… find time to<br />

enjoy their kids, to focus on work, to focus<br />

on their families and their homes.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: In what way are your three other<br />

business partners qualified to provide<br />

these services?<br />

The ladies of Y.E.S. Concierge; Nancy Stewart, Barb Shopf, Nancy Smith, Barbara Royer<br />

Y.E.S.: Most of us have been very busy<br />

moms or career people, so we know<br />

how difficult it is to juggle everything.<br />

Barb Shopf has a marketing background;<br />

Nancy Smith is customer service; I’m<br />

(experienced in) marketing and advertising,<br />

and Barb Royer is our animal lover. We all<br />

bring unique qualities to the table. We are<br />

a great team.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: How did you apply your business<br />

experience to your new company?<br />

Y.E.S.: I was in the tourism industry<br />

looking at how to make the tours better<br />

and fun… in advertising agencies you’re<br />

always catering to the client. Again, it boils<br />

down to customer service.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Where do you see Y.E.S. Concierge<br />

in the near future?<br />

Y.E.S.: We’re growing. My goal is to have<br />

people that we trust (as employees). I see<br />

growth happening, and I see our territory<br />

expanding. I would like to employ more<br />

people in order to maintain a high level of<br />

customer service.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Is there one aspect of your work<br />

ethic that surpasses the rest?<br />

Y.E.S.: Trust and customer service. We<br />

are insured and bonded because we go<br />

into people’s homes and offices.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Trust is a big thing…<br />

Y.E.S.: Huge. Trust and customer service.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Customer service makes all the<br />

difference in the world.<br />

Y.E.S.: Yes. That is what our business is<br />

all about.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: How did the concept of Y.E.S.<br />

Concierge develop?<br />

Y.E.S.: Nancy Smith and I used to work<br />

together, and we got along really well. We<br />

always said, ‘Hey we should do something<br />

together.’ So this concept just kind of hit<br />

us. You know how you think of things,<br />

and you never take it and run with it? This,<br />

I conceptualized, and then thought there’s<br />

a tremendous need, let’s do it! It’s a new<br />

concept.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: When someone comes to you, is<br />

there a standard way of handling meeting<br />

their needs?<br />

Y.E.S.: It’s all customized. Everyone has<br />

different needs and desires and ways of<br />

interacting. Everything is customized to<br />

the client.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: How do you begin your relationship<br />

with a client?<br />

Y.E.S.: We meet with prospective clients<br />

first, making sure they are comfortable<br />

before writing the contract. We try to<br />

assess clients and then accommodate<br />

them.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: What is the essence of what you do?<br />

Y.E.S.: We’ll do the research for you;<br />

we’ll make appointments for you; we’ll<br />

do whatever it is that makes life easier so<br />

people can relax.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Can you identify some of the main<br />

aspects of your working mission?<br />

Y.E.S.: Making sure things get done in a<br />

timely manner. Meeting the customers’<br />

expectations.<br />

Just trying to get back to basics. And<br />

relaxation. I just think it’s a good idea to let<br />

some of the little stuff go so you can enjoy<br />

the most important things. Our goal is to<br />

take over some of your daily chores and<br />

tasks so you can enjoy the most important<br />

things in your life.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Can you outline a sample success<br />

with a client?<br />

Y.E.S.: For example, we had this client<br />

whose house we were organizing. In one<br />

corner she had stacks of recipes thrown in<br />

a pile. So I got her a binder and titled the<br />

front, and created a place to store all of<br />

her recipes. She didn’t expect it, and she<br />

was delighted.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: That’s an important point<br />

that makes you different from just<br />

completing the tasks and jobs that<br />

they asked for- she didn’t ask you to<br />

make a personalized recipe book…<br />

Y.E.S.: It’s sympathetic; it’s concern;<br />

it’s helpful.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: The human element is what<br />

sets you apart…<br />

Y.E.S.: In this area there is nothing<br />

like what we do. We do it all. We<br />

want to build long-term relationships.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: To what do you attribute<br />

your success?<br />

Y.E.S.: Where there’s a will there’s a<br />

way. Diligence. Building relationships,<br />

networking- staying connected.<br />

{honesty, trustworthiness}<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Do you use a specific pay scale?<br />

Y.E.S.: $25/hr and $40/hr event<br />

planning. We offer different packages<br />

5 hrs week- 20 hrs week. Our costs<br />

are reasonable enough that almost<br />

anyone can use our services.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: What do you find most<br />

rewarding about your work?<br />

Y.E.S.: When people are satisfied.<br />

So you can actually make a difference<br />

and impact people’s lives, help<br />

eliminate people’s stress. It stresses<br />

people out if they need to do<br />

something and can’t. To make<br />

people smile. <strong>FLL</strong><br />

Y.E.S. Concierge is located at 135<br />

Treetops Drive, Lancaster PA<br />

and can be reached at 866-442-<br />

5413 or on the web at<br />

www.YourErrandService.com<br />

Maia Cargas has a strong passion<br />

for literature and art. She resides in<br />

downtown Lancaster and can be<br />

reached at mlcargas@comcast.net<br />

<br />

Enjoy your life again with help<br />

from Y.E.S. Concierge!


12<br />

give In<br />

My Story<br />

I married directly out of college and in<br />

1982 was living outside of Washington,<br />

DC with my husband, a new associate at<br />

an important DC Law Firm. We had it all<br />

– a beautiful home, two cars and a pretty<br />

high-class lifestyle. Not bad for two kids<br />

who’d grown up on the lower end of<br />

middle class.<br />

After trying for several years, we accepted<br />

that I was unable to have children and in<br />

1985, my husband and I adopted our first<br />

child, Joseph, from Korea. By 1988, our<br />

daughter, Jessica, was with us and our<br />

family, for a short time, was complete.<br />

Unfortunately, things weren’t as pretty<br />

as they looked. My husband worked<br />

constantly in pursuit of a partnership at<br />

the firm, and I was a stay-at-home mom<br />

with an addiction to drugs and alcohol.<br />

Despite our best intentions, my husband’s<br />

long absences from the home and my<br />

worsening alcoholism made a successful<br />

marriage impossible.<br />

My family dissolved when my son was<br />

four and my daughter, two. I’d lost my<br />

husband and everything for which we<br />

had worked together for over ten years<br />

to build. Although I was quick to blame<br />

him for everything that had gone wrong,<br />

it has become very clear to me that our<br />

relationship would never have gone into<br />

such a tailspin if I had been the wife and<br />

mother I had needed to be. As a single<br />

mother, I was completely ineffective. I<br />

was unable to keep a job, had to share my<br />

rented home with several other “troubled”<br />

people and nearly had my children<br />

removed from my custody by Children<br />

Services in Virginia. I had alienated most of<br />

my family members and my ex-husband<br />

wanted nothing to do with me and little<br />

to do with our children. I was on my<br />

own – and a complete mess. The night<br />

my children and I were picked up by a<br />

van from one of the homeless shelters in<br />

Washington, DC, I wanted to die. Because<br />

of my choices, we were living a nightmare.<br />

With a neighbor’s intervention and God’s<br />

grace, I was able to get sober in 1990.<br />

I didn’t stop drinking because, all of a<br />

sudden, I thought it was a great idea. I<br />

stopped drinking because, although I didn’t<br />

care if I lived or died, I loved my children<br />

with all my heart. I’d already lost most of<br />

my life, but I would not lose my kids. My<br />

children saved my life. With recovery came<br />

my first glimpse of what it really means,<br />

what it really takes, to be a mother. As<br />

a recovering alcoholic, I was associated<br />

this issue of Fine Living Lancaster we celebrate charity by recognizing the amazing<br />

well-doings of Milagro House. To continue our efforts to give, we invite you the<br />

reader to send your thoughts on charitable organizations; local, national or global, for<br />

the consideration of other readers.<br />

with a group of people who truly loved<br />

me despite the mistakes I’d made in my<br />

life. When I agonized with them over the<br />

“wreckage of my past,” they simply told<br />

me, “You never have to feel that way<br />

again.” Years passed, I continued to work<br />

on my new way of life, and slowly but very<br />

surely, I became a better woman and, as a<br />

result, a much better mother.<br />

My life did not become a bed of roses<br />

immediately after I stopped drinking. So<br />

many things were broken; financially I<br />

was a wreck, and my children and I had<br />

to learn to live without the support and<br />

love of a man who had been important<br />

to us. Then, the most awful things I could<br />

imagine came to pass. At eight months<br />

sober, I fell asleep at the wheel of the car<br />

I was driving and caused an accident in<br />

which a twelve-year old boy lost his life;<br />

the love of my friends and the help of<br />

some very compassionate counselors kept<br />

me from falling back into my old way of<br />

life. A year and a half later, being violently<br />

raped by a sex-offender who had just been<br />

released from prison, brought me to my<br />

knees. It hurt almost too much to breathe.<br />

A brief, violent and abusive marriage was<br />

the last straw; I had absolutely nothing in<br />

the world but the children I adored. With<br />

four years of sober living, my two young<br />

children and a U-Haul holding everything<br />

I owned in the world, I left Northern<br />

Virginia and headed home to Pennsylvania.<br />

I’ve worked in social services in Lancaster<br />

since 1994, first as a drug and alcohol<br />

counselor, then as a social worker at and<br />

eventually executive director of another<br />

shelter for homeless women and children<br />

in Lancaster City. I had big dreams for the<br />

women with whom I worked; and when<br />

my vision became more than the Board of<br />

the first shelter could deal with, I decided<br />

to try something new. In 1998, with the<br />

most amazing group of friends, absolutely<br />

no funding, and a burning desire to share<br />

the incredible miracle of my own transition<br />

with other women in need, I started<br />

Milagro House: Miracle House.<br />

It’s been nearly ten years since we opened<br />

our “door” on S. Christian St., and my life<br />

has evolved at least as much as Milagro<br />

House has. The children whose love saved<br />

my life are now independent young adults.<br />

After several years at Temple University,<br />

my son is joining the United States Navy<br />

and will be shipping out in February 2008.<br />

My daughter is a second-year student at<br />

the University of Massachusetts majoring<br />

in, guess what? Psychology and Women’s<br />

Studies. I am financially stable, spiritually<br />

connected and amazingly happy. Milagro<br />

House is my life’s work.<br />

With time, compassion and guidance,<br />

my life and my family have been restored<br />

to me.<br />

“Milagro House is a long term, education-based program committed<br />

to restoring the lives of homeless women and children. We provide<br />

shelter, support, and guidance to our families, promoting personal<br />

integrity, self-reliance, and social responsibility.”<br />

Making the decision to have a child is<br />

momentous and precedes a totally new<br />

and fulfilling way of life for most women. In<br />

contrast, having a child without considering<br />

what it really means, what it really takes, to<br />

be responsible for another human being’s<br />

life, can be a disaster. At Milagro House,<br />

we work with women who have a history<br />

of making decisions without considering<br />

the consequences of those choices. We<br />

focus on creating healthy, safe families<br />

who, with education, guidance, hard work,<br />

and love, are able to break the cycle of<br />

poverty and dependence that has, for<br />

many of them, been generational. We<br />

serve mothers who are open-minded<br />

and willing to try a new way of life, free of<br />

the negative influences that have made it<br />

impossible for them to succeed.<br />

Women come to Milagro House for<br />

many reasons. Some are recovering<br />

from addiction; most of them have been<br />

abused; all have been in relationships<br />

that, rather than making their lives easier,<br />

have made their lives and the lives of their<br />

children, unbearable. Low self esteem,<br />

little or no education, inadequate parenting<br />

skills, and poor self discipline combine with<br />

poverty to take these families to a place<br />

where there is no safety, no security, and<br />

no home. Our program offers women<br />

and their families the time it takes to<br />

achieve success. We offer the education,<br />

counseling, and financial direction each<br />

of them needs to escape the dysfunction<br />

of their former lives and to become<br />

independent women and nurturing<br />

mothers. When they have finished our<br />

program, those same women will have<br />

learned to make reasoned judgments<br />

based upon what is best for their families<br />

rather than careless decisions based on<br />

their own desires.<br />

The statistics we have gathered, the<br />

support of the many agencies with which<br />

we work closely, and the high visibility<br />

of our program over the years indicates<br />

clearly that Milagro House is a program<br />

that makes a difference in our community<br />

as well as in the lives of the women and<br />

children with whom we work.<br />

Graduates of the Milagro House program<br />

are working at law firms, at our local<br />

hospitals and clinics, in doctor’s offices<br />

and nursing homes, and as counselors,<br />

teachers and lab technicians. They are,<br />

literally, everywhere. Two staff positions<br />

of seven at Milagro House are filled by<br />

women who have actually gone through<br />

and completed our program themselves.<br />

One of the women has her Master’s<br />

Degree from Temple University; the other<br />

is finishing her Bachelor’s Degree.<br />

In nine years, fewer than ten percent of<br />

the women who have lived at Milagro<br />

House for one year or more have<br />

“relapsed” into homelessness. Those<br />

women who do make a commitment<br />

to our program – and a commitment to<br />

change – gain the skills and determination<br />

to support themselves and their children<br />

and to manage their lives after they<br />

leave the protective environment of our<br />

program. They learn that never again do<br />

they have to be in the position where<br />

someone else’s decisions and behaviors<br />

can leave them and their children without<br />

a home, without food and clothing, and<br />

without hope. The women who move<br />

to Milagro House have the best possible<br />

opportunity to succeed in the new lives<br />

they have chosen for themselves. We<br />

provide them with:<br />

• A clean, safe place to live with their<br />

children until they are fully prepared to<br />

become, and remain, self-sufficient<br />

• Food, clothing, and personal items until<br />

they can afford their own<br />

• An organized environment with<br />

limitations and rules that promotes<br />

responsibility as well as independence<br />

• A focus on education and training that<br />

will lead to sustainable employment that<br />

pays a living wage<br />

• A full-time teacher and volunteer tutors<br />

to help them on their road to success<br />

• Intensive, individualized counseling and<br />

case management designed to promote<br />

personal and spiritual change<br />

• Parenting and life skills workshops<br />

designed to promote successful<br />

independent living and family harmony<br />

A Short History of<br />

Milagro House<br />

Lancaster’s only creperie features delectible sandwich and dessert<br />

crepes, homemade soups and salads, and a full coffee bar.<br />

Takeout and Catering also available. BYOB.<br />

* Seasonal drink and crepe specials. *<br />

In Spring 2008, Milagro House will<br />

celebrate ten years of service to the<br />

homeless women and children of<br />

Lancaster County and surrounding areas.<br />

Our program was started in 1998 as a<br />

long-term shelter for homeless mothers<br />

and their children. Over the years,<br />

however, Milagro House has evolved<br />

and, while still a residence for women<br />

desperately in need, we now operate as a<br />

residential learning center for women and<br />

their children.<br />

Initially, Milagro House was located in one<br />

rented row house in Lancaster’s 7th Ward;<br />

the houses around us were condemned;<br />

our neighbors were drug dealers, addicts,<br />

and the homeless. Since 1998, Milagro<br />

House has purchased seven additional<br />

properties on that same block on South<br />

Christian Street. Our facilities now include<br />

room for seventeen families in our houses,<br />

Continued on page 14<br />

* * * * * * Open Tues-Sun | Open for dinner Thurs-Sat | 309-311 N. Queen Street | Lancaster PA | 717-399-3515


Continued from page 13<br />

three apartments where families who are<br />

ready to graduate from our program can<br />

test their independence, and, in what used<br />

to be a true corner “drug” store, a school<br />

(the Milagro House Education Center)<br />

where GED and Remedial Education<br />

classes are taught. Before the end of<br />

2007, we will open the doors to our new<br />

Children’s Center – another incredible<br />

gift from our friends and supporters in the<br />

Lancaster community. After all these years,<br />

we’ll be able to provide our own afterschool<br />

study program for our kids. We’ll<br />

have space for reading circles, science and<br />

math clubs, movie night, and an arts and<br />

crafts center. The Center’s backyard will<br />

adjoin with our other properties on S.<br />

Christian, and we will have a huge yard for<br />

the kids, including a bike path, a basketball<br />

half-court, and a new playground. As<br />

we have had from the beginning, we<br />

continue to run a give-away shop where<br />

we distribute, at no cost to our neighbors,<br />

donations over and above what our<br />

residents need. The drug dealers never<br />

visit our block; our street is quiet, peaceful,<br />

and clean.<br />

Nine more families reside, dorm-style, at<br />

our West End facility, the Stoudt Family<br />

Center for Education on W. Chestnut<br />

St. When we first announced our plans<br />

for the Stoudt Center, there were those<br />

in our new community who feared the<br />

value of their properties would drop once<br />

a “shelter” was in their neighborhood.<br />

Milagro House won the support of our<br />

West End community and the Lancaster<br />

courts, and our families moved into what<br />

used to be a fraternity house on the<br />

corner of College and Chestnut. Happily,<br />

most of our neighbors now stop buy with<br />

donations or goodies for the kids. They’ve<br />

seen that we are a good neighbor, and that<br />

our families aren’t so different from their<br />

own families.<br />

All women living at our new facility are<br />

attending our GED/Remedial classes or are<br />

enrolled in post-secondary school (HACC,<br />

Consolidated School of Business, Stevens<br />

College, one of the Technology Centers,<br />

Lancaster General School of Nursing,<br />

etc.). Each woman who lives at the Stoudt<br />

Center has her own computer with access<br />

to the internet as well as the opportunity<br />

to take advantage of the volunteer student<br />

tutors from F&M and Millersville.<br />

Milagro House has an annual operating<br />

budget of approximately $480,000. We<br />

are funded solely by the private donations<br />

of the Lancaster Community – individuals,<br />

social and service groups, businesses and<br />

churches - as well as the grant monies<br />

we receive from local foundations and<br />

corporations. We hold fundraisers,<br />

including our “Evening of Miracles” held in<br />

the late fall, which add to our coffers and<br />

bring new supporters to our program.<br />

Milagro House does not solicit or receive<br />

government or agency funding – a fact that<br />

has allowed us to operate our program<br />

without the strict guidelines and limits that<br />

often accompany public funding.<br />

In nine years, Milagro House has provided<br />

services to nearly four hundred families<br />

(including nearly one thousand children).<br />

Women who complete our program are<br />

welcomed back, whether they come to do<br />

volunteer work or are in need of support<br />

and counseling. Word of mouth and<br />

referrals by area hospitals, agencies, and<br />

rehabilitation services insure that we will<br />

never lack for residents. We rarely have<br />

rooms open for more than a day or two.<br />

The success of our residents allows us to<br />

operate a program that continues to grow<br />

and improve at a steady rate.<br />

We owe the success of the Milagro House<br />

program to the overwhelming support we<br />

receive consistently from the Lancaster<br />

community. You provide our mothers<br />

and their children with the food, clothing,<br />

and shelter they require, as well as the<br />

possibility of a future of which most would<br />

never dare dream.<br />

Milagro House is my dream. You are the<br />

miracle that has made it happen. <strong>FLL</strong><br />

www.milagrohouse.org<br />

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Exclusive Party<br />

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First-Class Dining and Hospitality Overlooking a Beautiful Ballpark Setting<br />

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16<br />

My Lancaster<br />

My Lancaster is a new<br />

ongoing feature that will allow<br />

two Lancastrians to have a<br />

spirited discussion about their<br />

feelings about Lancaster. This<br />

conversation could cover just<br />

about anything from dining<br />

to dancing, traffi c to weather,<br />

anything goes! We are excited<br />

to bring you these varied and<br />

boisterous opinions. You may<br />

agree; you may disagree, and you<br />

may well learn something new<br />

along the way. The one sure thing<br />

is that it will be a great way to<br />

enjoy some varying opinions.<br />

We kick off My Lancaster with<br />

Bill Puffer and Nancy Morris of<br />

Puffer – Morris Real Estate. Bill<br />

and Nancy have each been in<br />

the real estate business for over<br />

thirty years and have specialized<br />

in the sales of Lancaster City<br />

properties. Both live in the city:<br />

Nancy in an artsy West Chestnut<br />

Street townhouse and Bill in Old<br />

Town in a very contemporary<br />

conversion. We were delighted to<br />

be a part of their conversation.<br />

Nancy Morris: Bill, what do you think of all of the<br />

development going on downtown?<br />

Bill Puffer: I think it is a shot in the arm that will last for<br />

years to come.<br />

NM: What do you suppose was the catalyst of all of this?<br />

BP: Interesting that you ask. Many people have the<br />

perception that this has all happened in the last few years<br />

when in reality, it has been happening for nearly thirty years.<br />

NM: That’s true. And let’s face it; time really fl ies. But we<br />

were doing a lot of residential renovations ourselves in the<br />

70’s and 80’s and the momentum is continuing today.<br />

BP: Think about all of the earlier renovations that took place<br />

on the streets like Lancaster Avenue, West Chestnut, North<br />

Charlotte, North Concord, East Orange, North Shippen,<br />

Old Town, and numerous side streets.<br />

NM: You know, there’s a wide spectrum of outstanding<br />

interiors that are never seen from the street. We have<br />

traditional and contemporary homes that are equal to<br />

those featured in national publications, not to mention<br />

the warehouse, carriage house, and former commercial<br />

conversions.<br />

BP: Years ago, people discovered that one of Lancaster’s<br />

greatest assets is the wealth of outstanding city residences.<br />

Many of these represent excellent values today. If these<br />

homes were purchased at today’s market value, and<br />

equivalent renovations and up-grades were completed,<br />

prices could easily be $100,000 - $200,000 or higher.<br />

NM: Don’t forget all of the unique, small private yards<br />

with custom landscaping, patios, decks, terraces and<br />

decorative fencing.<br />

BP: You’re right. One of the reasons that these homes are<br />

growing in popularity is that many people are looking to<br />

enjoy free time without the burden of hours and hours of<br />

yard maintenance.<br />

NM: Best of all, we are getting a broad range of new<br />

residents—professional couples and singles, retirees, empty<br />

nesters, and fi rst time home buyers. With prices rising to<br />

the levels that they are today, it’s tough for some of these<br />

folks to fi nd affordable housing. We are fortunate that this<br />

city has a solid inventory of very good housing in the range<br />

of $90,000 - $150,000. At the high end, properties are<br />

selling as high as $1,000,000.<br />

BP: We have talked about housing, but as you know, the<br />

commercial vitality and development in the city has been<br />

phenomenal. It’s the push in retail sales that has driven<br />

much of the current prosperity. In addition, there’s the ball<br />

park, the PA Academy of Music, Pennsylvania College of Art<br />

& Design, the Quilt Museum, the convention center, new<br />

restaurants and Gallery Row. On First Fridays, there are<br />

up to 5,000 people who come downtown to the galleries.<br />

Several large warehouse complexes have been converted<br />

to fi rst class offi ce and business space, and both F & M and<br />

LGH had a major impact on the northern quadrants of the<br />

city with more construction planned.<br />

NM: During the past thirty fi ve years, we have had a great<br />

ride as the city has gone through several cycles.<br />

BP: That’s right, and we have been right in the middle of it.<br />

We both have had residences here for the entire time, and<br />

our offi ce has been in the same location on West Orange<br />

Street for about 27 years.<br />

NM: The decision to stay downtown was a good one, even<br />

though there have been very few real estate offi ces here.<br />

BP: You know, I am surprised that the city hasn’t been<br />

selected as one of the outstanding places to live in the USA.<br />

NM: So am I. Let’s work on that.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong><br />

American Fare with Flair<br />

Featuring Fine Living Lancaster Signature Dish:<br />

“Pretzel Chicken”<br />

124 East Main Street • Ephrata PA, 17522<br />

(717)738-2711 • www.lilysonmain.com


18<br />

Meet the ChefBy<br />

Sue Barry and<br />

Micah Webster of Molly’s Pub<br />

Maia Cargas<br />

Molly’s Pub, established in 1989, is<br />

nestled in downtown Lancaster near the<br />

newly renovated Musser Park. Here at<br />

253 East Chestnut Street you will find<br />

a cozy neighborhood pub atmosphere<br />

with delicious foods and smiling faces.<br />

Open the forest green front door of this<br />

historic brick corner building, step inside,<br />

and prepare yourself to be welcomed<br />

by “The Friendliest Pub in Town.”<br />

Big juicy burgers and traditional Irish<br />

pub dishes are staples at Molly’s. Chef<br />

Micah Webster is “sticking by the tried<br />

and true–simple things that taste good<br />

and that are done very well.” Micah<br />

contributes a little ingenuity of his own<br />

as he faithfully prepares these dishes and<br />

more... a touch of personal creativity<br />

never hurts.<br />

Molly’s burger selection and classics<br />

section on the menu show a taste of<br />

the reasonably priced quality meals<br />

that Molly’s has to offer. One favorite<br />

is the Black Dog Burger that is soulfully<br />

sautéed with onions, green peppers,<br />

barbeque sauce and Muenster cheese.<br />

A flavorsome choice from the Classics<br />

section is The Molly Cristo. This original<br />

batter-dipped bread topped with<br />

smoked turkey, bacon, tomato, and<br />

Muenster cheese is served with a side of<br />

raspberry dipping sauce.<br />

The open-faced melts are sure to<br />

curb your hunger for a mouthwatering<br />

sandwich. The Chestnut Street Melt<br />

with smoked turkey, roast beef, tomato,<br />

and ranch dressing is a local delight.<br />

If you really want to absorb the pub<br />

feel, enjoy Molly’s Homemade Irish<br />

Stew with tender beef and large root<br />

vegetables or Molly’s Homemade<br />

Shepherd’s Pie, a vegetable and Black<br />

Angus sirloin medley capped with rich<br />

whipped potatoes.<br />

Chef Micah Webster’s philosophy on<br />

preparing Molly’s Pub cuisine is to keep<br />

it delicious yet affordable enough that<br />

couples, friends, and families can go out<br />

on a regular basis. He feels Lancaster<br />

has recently seen an influx of highend<br />

restaurants that are shooting for<br />

a market of $25 to $50 a plate. Micah<br />

thinks it is nice to have those options<br />

locally for special occasion dining, as<br />

well as spots like Molly’s that provide a<br />

comfortable and affordable dining place.<br />

Regulars at Molly’s Pub love the<br />

Thursday night meatloaf special. Chef<br />

Micah admits, “It’s really basic, and it<br />

really drives me nuts, but they love my<br />

meatloaf. They said it is hands down the<br />

best they ever had in their life!” One<br />

patron already bought a whole meatloaf<br />

to take home and serve for a party.<br />

Micah Webster holds over ten years<br />

of experience in his prominent line<br />

of work. Recently he took part in<br />

the Sauerkraut Competition for<br />

the James Buchanan Foundation in<br />

Lancaster. This talented local chef<br />

facilitates a wide range of interests in<br />

food from preparing sashimi tuna and<br />

tofu to cooking Thai and French style<br />

foods. Micah enjoys cooking at home as<br />

well as at work. Cooking serves as both<br />

a job and a passion for Micah. Just ask<br />

his girlfriend; she can surely attest to his<br />

culinary talents.<br />

Micah is thrilled to have carved his niche<br />

in an already established fine eatery.<br />

“I couldn’t be happier here. The staff<br />

and owner (Anthony <strong>Mag</strong>lietta) are a<br />

wonderful team to be a part of.” Micah<br />

values the respect he is subject to at<br />

his workplace, which only furthers his<br />

strong desire to create pleasing fare to<br />

tempt the palate of his loyal customers.<br />

Travel upstairs at this cheery pub, and<br />

you will find Molly’s On Top Martini<br />

Bar and Lounge. This relaxed, yet<br />

energy fused, second level sports a<br />

contemporary decor and entertains the<br />

crowd Wednesday through Saturday<br />

nights with a live Disc Jockey. A Molly’s<br />

event calendar can be viewed at www.<br />

mollyspub.com. In warmer weather<br />

the cliental can enjoy Molly’s outdoor<br />

upstairs deck seating as well.<br />

Anthony is in the process of renovating<br />

the property next door and expanding<br />

Molly’s on Top features a martini bar, contemporary decor, and a<br />

live DJ Wednesday through Saturday.<br />

Head Chef Micah Webster in front of Molly’s Pub; “The Friendliest Pub in Town”.<br />

Molly’s Pub. The small kitchen will be<br />

replaced with a brand new, commercial<br />

size kitchen, which delights Micah.<br />

There are also expansion plans for<br />

Molly’s on Top Martini Bar and Lounge<br />

on the second floor. Along with the<br />

new and exciting changes at Molly’s Pub,<br />

keep an eye out for a new menu.<br />

Despite changes to the restaurant or<br />

a revamped menu, traditional Molly’s<br />

fare will prevail. Regarding the Molly’s<br />

favorites on the menu, Micah says,<br />

“They will always be there; they have to<br />

be there.” Tradition and quality service<br />

will always be two key ingredients to the<br />

success of Molly’s Pub. <strong>FLL</strong><br />

Molly’s Pub is locasted on the corner<br />

of East Chestnut and North Shippen<br />

Streets in Downtown Lancaster.<br />

253 East Chestnut Street<br />

717.396.0225<br />

www.mollyspub.com<br />

Sue Barry has had original recipes published in<br />

national magazines and for several years she<br />

wrote articles on food and restaurants for a<br />

Dauphin County publication. She is employed<br />

by Lititz Borough as Borough Manager.<br />

Maia Cargas has a strong passion for literature<br />

and art. She resides in downtown Lancaster and<br />

can be reached at mlcargas@comcast.net<br />

19


Make Everyday<br />

a Holiday!<br />

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FineLivingLancaster.com<br />

and every week you will be<br />

treated to a new “fi ne fi nd.”<br />

It could be a delicious dish,<br />

fabulous fashion, the latest<br />

hot spot or anything to<br />

make your life a little fi ner!<br />

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and best of all...it’s free!<br />

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<br />

Jim Cramer is Not from Lancaster!<br />

By Mark Pontz<br />

On a recent Wednesday<br />

morning, I was invited to<br />

speak about mortgages in general, and all<br />

of the mortgage news in particular, to the<br />

Rotary Club of Lancaster South. Prior to<br />

speaking, I was enjoying a lovely Willow<br />

Valley breakfast and becoming acquainted<br />

with some interesting new people.<br />

During this time a Rotary member asked<br />

me, “Did you hear what Jim Cramer said<br />

on the Today Show this morning?” For<br />

those of you not familiar, Mr. Cramer<br />

a successful stock trader, is the host of<br />

Mad Money, a stock trading and investing<br />

show appearing nightly on CNBC. His<br />

frenetic and boisterous style has attracted<br />

a strong following and the show is fun to<br />

watch if you enjoy loud, over the top,<br />

unfl inching opinions as entertainment.<br />

Apparently, when Mr. Cramer was a<br />

Today Show guest that morning, the<br />

conversation was predominantly about<br />

the Real Estate market. Mr. Cramer, in<br />

speaking with host Matt Lauer, asserted:<br />

“You should not consider buying a<br />

home for at least a year”! This comment<br />

certainly set off a lively conversation<br />

at the Rotary meeting that morning<br />

and subsequently in the media as well,<br />

prompting a return visit for Mr. Cramer<br />

to the Today Show to be challenged on<br />

his comments by several Real Estate and<br />

fi nancial professionals. Needless to say,<br />

most of them did not agree with him.<br />

That is the side of the table that I, and<br />

likely anyone who lives here in Lancaster,<br />

will sit on. Broad and sweeping<br />

comments such as Mr. Cramer’s only<br />

serve to unnecessarily infl ame people’s<br />

fears. His comments do make sense in<br />

some markets of course. Take a market<br />

such as Las Vegas, for example. In Las<br />

Vegas rampant Real Estate speculation<br />

has resulted in condominiums sitting<br />

empty, having been purchased by<br />

speculators for rapid resale at a profi t<br />

and now not able to be sold, as the once<br />

red hot Las Vegas market has cooled<br />

to normality. But, Las Vegas is not<br />

Lancaster, and Jim Cramer does not live<br />

in Lancaster.<br />

The many factors that make Lancaster<br />

such a desirable place to live also offer<br />

some insulation from the Real Estate<br />

woes being experienced by much of the<br />

nation. Strong employment, low crime<br />

rates, and a strong and growing economy<br />

keep our housing market in positive<br />

territory as much of the nation is seeing a<br />

slowdown and in some cases, a retreat in<br />

home values.<br />

What I have seen during the last several<br />

months and what my past experience<br />

indicates is that the home values in<br />

Lancaster County will remain steady<br />

with normal appreciation. Homes that<br />

were purchased in the last year or two<br />

have not only maintained their value, but<br />

have grown in value at a reasonable rate.<br />

Currently, local appreciation of homes<br />

is being seen at a rate of three to fi ve<br />

percent annually. True, for several years<br />

we were seeing greater appreciation,<br />

sometimes in excess of ten percent, but<br />

this appreciation was a phenomenon that<br />

could not sustain itself indefi nitely. What<br />

we have now is a normal market, not a<br />

slow market, just a normal market with<br />

traditional appreciation and an average<br />

amount of homes being sold.<br />

What does this mean to you if you<br />

are considering buying and or selling<br />

a home? When you are selling your<br />

home, it may be on the market for a<br />

few weeks before being sold. Again, this<br />

time frame is normal and should be of<br />

The Worth<br />

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helping women put together a wardrobe<br />

that fi ts their lifestyle<br />

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www.sjohnson@worthcollection.com<br />

no cause for panic. The most important<br />

factor in the new and normal market is<br />

to solicit and heed the advice of a Real<br />

Estate professional. Now is the time that<br />

properly pricing a home for sale is crucial,<br />

as overpricing can cause your home to<br />

be overlooked by potential buyers. As<br />

you are looking to purchase a home,<br />

you will likely not be competing against<br />

fi ve other offers on the home, causing a<br />

bidding war and driving the price of the<br />

home skyward. Keep in mind though,<br />

that very few homes are in “fi re sale”<br />

mode and offers that are substantially<br />

below a fair market price will likely be<br />

rejected or even left unanswered. All<br />

in all, the Lancaster County market is<br />

moving along nicely.<br />

So I will close out this issue’s column with<br />

a challenge to Mr. Jim Cramer; if you<br />

are concerned about Real Estate values<br />

Mr. Cramer, perhaps you may wish<br />

to purchase a home here in Lancaster<br />

County? Perhaps something in Bent<br />

Creek (he is a celebrity after all). <strong>FLL</strong><br />

Mark is a V.P. with Arlington Capital Mortgage<br />

on Oregon Pike in Lancaster. He can be<br />

reached at 717-475-4444.<br />

Escrow


❄<br />

❄Is it that time of year already? Hard as it may be to<br />

believe, the holiday parties and plans are already in<br />

motion. Have you made your New Year’s reservations<br />

yet? It is never too early to set your plans for the<br />

big events over the holiday season. But the eternal<br />

question remains: what should you wear?<br />

We wanted to help make that decision just a bit<br />

easier for our female readers. And so, we offer the<br />

following pages that include the winners from our<br />

Fashion Plates contest of last issue and an additional<br />

pair of fashion forward females to help you with some<br />

ideas for your holiday glamour.<br />

Our models came to us from all walks of life, and we<br />

were delighted to learn a little bit about each of them<br />

❄<br />

Haute Holiday<br />

as they were fitted for their individual fashions and<br />

during the photo sessions. We are confident that you<br />

will enjoy getting to know them as well.<br />

Our good friends at Pappagallo, Warren Jewelers, The<br />

Worth Collection, and Zanzibar brought out some<br />

fantastic fashions (and some diamonds of course), and<br />

the elegant ladies of Avanti Salon provided the hair<br />

and makeup styling.<br />

So, as we go off into the sparkling world of fashion<br />

and the holidays, we wish you health, happiness, and<br />

of course, high fashion!<br />

Fashion Subject: Jenna Collins<br />

Not just a pretty face, our cover model, Jenna<br />

Collins comes to us as a recent graduate of<br />

Millersville University with a Bachelors of<br />

Education. After experiencing her energy and<br />

enthusiasm, it came as no surprise to us that<br />

Jenna completed her four year degree in just<br />

three years. Not only did she graduate in record<br />

time, she helped to subsidize the cost of her<br />

education by competing in beauty pageants!<br />

Nothing less than the best for a beauty queen,<br />

so she was dressed by Pappagallo, off for hair<br />

and makeup at Avanti Salon, and she was<br />

draped in nearly one hundred thirty thousand<br />

dollars in diamond jewelry by our friends at<br />

Warren Jewelers! We think that the diamonds<br />

were just the perfect compliment to her<br />

dazzling smile.<br />

Provided by Pappagallos:<br />

❄ Dress: Nicole Miller blue strapless<br />

ruched gown<br />

Provided by Warren Jewellers:<br />

❄ Jewelry: Hearts on Fire necklace, braclet,<br />

and earrings<br />

Hair and Makeup Provided by Avanti Salon<br />

The Scoop<br />

Are you originally from Lancaster?<br />

No, I’m a Lehigh Valley native – born and raised<br />

in Nazareth, PA. I ended up in Lancaster for<br />

college. I transferred to Millersville University<br />

my sophomore year, and I love the area. It has<br />

become a second home for me.<br />

Tell us about your family:<br />

My family is incredibly unique and wonderful. I’ve<br />

been fortunate to have two sides to my family<br />

that are complete opposites. One side is very<br />

loud and outgoing while the other side is very<br />

quiet. It’s amazing how I have seen the two sides<br />

develop in me as I’ve gotten older. Over the last<br />

year or so, I found a second family in Lancaster.<br />

My voice teacher has become my big sister, and<br />

my cooperating teacher from Student Teaching<br />

and her family have become a Mom, Dad, and<br />

little sister to me. “Family,” I’ve learned, is<br />

something that is almost impossible to define.<br />

So, nearly one hundred thirty thousand dollars in<br />

diamonds, how did that feel?<br />

I was completely overwhelmed with the whole<br />

experience, and the diamonds were the icing<br />

on the cake – expensive icing. I also just tried to<br />

enjoy it because, as a teacher, I knew that it was<br />

probably going to be the closest I am ever going to<br />

get to that amount in diamonds in my whole life.<br />

What do you think your students<br />

will have to say about your “cover girl status”?<br />

My students are excited to see the magazine!<br />

They keep asking to see it! I guess it’s just one<br />

more thing that makes me the cool teacher.


Fashion Subject: Marie Barlow-Martin<br />

Marie comes to <strong>FLL</strong> as both a fashion and musical<br />

diva! She breezed in to the photo shoot with<br />

several outfits from the Worth Collection and<br />

quickly settled on the outfit you see here. After we<br />

listened to her lilting voice on her website, www.<br />

mariebarlow.com, we were torn on whether to<br />

advise her to follow the music or pursue a modeling<br />

career. Either way we were the winner to have her<br />

grace our pages.<br />

Provided by Worth Collection:<br />

❄ Jacket: Parchment leather jacket<br />

❄ Shirt: Voile paisley shirt<br />

❄ Pants: Pine suede Kiera pant<br />

The Scoop<br />

Are you originally from Lancaster?<br />

No – I’m an Air Force Brat, but my<br />

family claims to be from California since<br />

that’s where we lived the longest.<br />

Tell us about your family:<br />

No kids (except the furry ones) and my<br />

husband is Gordy Martin – an executive<br />

with Menchey Music, and we also work<br />

hard at a music ministry together.<br />

Tell us about your music:<br />

Gordy and I do special concerts all<br />

over the country at churches, camps,<br />

retreats, conventions, etc., etc., etc.,<br />

that are marriage and family oriented<br />

and tell our story through music. We<br />

also do a lot of women’s retreats where<br />

I minister through music to the women<br />

in attendance, and we have been asked<br />

to be speakers at couples’ events as<br />

well. We recently went to Nashville<br />

where we are working on our fourth<br />

album which will be out in May.<br />

Tell us about the Worth outfit you<br />

are wearing:<br />

It’s just luscious, isn’t it?<br />

What do your friends and family<br />

have to say about your new<br />

modeling career?<br />

They are now convinced I’m a diva and<br />

keep telling me not to forget the little<br />

people when I’m famous! My mother<br />

and my cat, QE, are not impressed.<br />

Fashion Subject: Kim Ginder<br />

We were at Pappagallo picking out the dress for<br />

our cover girl Jenna when from out of a fitting<br />

room stepped this lovely woman in a fantastic<br />

dress. After speaking with Kim, we found out<br />

that she was shopping for a dress for her sister’s<br />

wedding. We could not resist inviting her to show<br />

off the dress here in our holiday issue and who<br />

knows, maybe this photo will end up in her sisters<br />

wedding album!<br />

Provided by Pappagallos:<br />

❄ Dress: Kay Unger black with platinum<br />

double “V” neck evening gown<br />

Hair and Makeup Provided by Avanti Salon<br />

The Scoop<br />

Are you originally from Lancaster?<br />

Born and raised!.<br />

Tell us about your family:<br />

I have a wonderful husband, Steve, who<br />

is an electrician for Gooseworks Inc.<br />

and two beautiful daughters Madison,<br />

6 years old and Hailey who is 3, and a<br />

yellow lab named Nilla, she’s 4.<br />

Where do you work?<br />

I am a Registered Nurse at Campus Oral<br />

and Maxilofacial Surgery at the Health<br />

Campus in Lancaster.<br />

How do you like your dress, was it<br />

a hit at the Wedding?<br />

I absolutely LOVE this dress. It was<br />

so comfortable all day long, and I felt<br />

very elegant in it. I received many<br />

compliments at the wedding, and<br />

everyone thought it was very beautiful.<br />

I didn’t outshine the bride though... she<br />

was radiant!<br />

What do your friends and family<br />

have to say about your new<br />

modeling career?<br />

They were all very excited for me and<br />

my husband, was very proud. I think my<br />

mom told everyone she knows. I could<br />

really get used to a job where you get<br />

pampered with hair and makeup and get<br />

to wear beautiful clothing. Scrubs aren’t<br />

exactly figure flattering. I had a great<br />

time; thanks for the opportunity!


Fashion Subject: Roxanne Foura<br />

Roxanne Foura’s mission as a massage<br />

therapist is to make sure that<br />

everyone feels as good on the inside as<br />

they look on the outside. If this photo<br />

can be used as proof of that then she<br />

must feel fantastic!<br />

Provided by Pappagallos:<br />

❄ Top: Hale Bob crushed velvet tunic with elastic bottom<br />

❄ Jeans: Seven for all mankind-denim jeans<br />

❄ Shoes: Farlyrobin shoes with robin cutouts on front<br />

Provided by The Beaded Daisy:<br />

❄ Necklace: Handcrafted necklace with a polished natural<br />

stone pendant, mixed with shades of brown faceted glass<br />

beads, polished stone and speckled glass beads<br />

Hair and Makeup Provided by Avanti Salon<br />

The Scoop<br />

Are you originally from Lancaster?<br />

Yes.<br />

Tell us about your family:<br />

I am happily married to Jason<br />

Foura, and we have a 9 month old<br />

son named Quinn. We have 2 dogs<br />

Frankie and Jake.<br />

What is the most rewarding<br />

part of your job?<br />

As a massage therapist and spa<br />

owner, I work in a completely<br />

stress-free environement. My<br />

clients are as happy to see me as<br />

I am to see them because they<br />

know that they will leave feeling<br />

better and more relaxed than<br />

when they arrived!<br />

Now that you have experience, any<br />

advice to aspiring fashion divas?<br />

If you can laugh and not take<br />

yourself too seriously, you’ll be<br />

delighted with the results.<br />

What do your friends and family<br />

have to say about your new<br />

modeling career?<br />

They are amused and hope that<br />

I’m on my way to making my<br />

first million!<br />

Fashion Subject: Lisa McElroy<br />

Lisa comes to us from the Anesthesia<br />

Department of Lancaster General. She is a<br />

recently minted Nurse Anesthetist after a<br />

long career in Nursing and as you will read,<br />

does not have much opportunity for fashion<br />

in her work life. We were delighted by her<br />

enthusiasm and easy going nature. Maybe<br />

after this photo circulates through Lancaster<br />

General, they will change the dress code and<br />

switch to designer scrubs!<br />

Provided by Zanzibar:<br />

❄ Top: Polyester blend crinkle<br />

blouse by Neesh<br />

❄ Skirt: Polyester blend crinkle<br />

by Neesh<br />

❄ Necklace: Semi precious<br />

stones by Devi<br />

Hair and Makeup Provided by Avanti Salon<br />

The Scoop<br />

Are you originally from Lancaster?<br />

Born and raised in Ephrata.<br />

Tell us about your family:<br />

Married for 20 years to Jay, the most<br />

wonderful man in the world! Three<br />

children, Alex-17, Colleen-15, Wes-<br />

13. Two dogs, four cats, a rabbit and<br />

very understanding neighbors!<br />

How much room for fashion is<br />

there in Medicine?<br />

Ha! I wear scrubs all day, every<br />

day. However, when the CRNA’s<br />

socialize, we do tend to “put on the<br />

Ritz,” especially at holiday times.<br />

What was your most fashionable<br />

holiday moment?<br />

Many years ago, the cardiothoracic<br />

surgeons had a holiday ball at the<br />

Hamilton Club. Unfortunately, I<br />

was 7 months pregnant. Back then,<br />

high-end fashionable maternity<br />

wear was nonexistent, so I bought<br />

a beautiful cream-colored silk suit<br />

with satin lapels at our local thrift<br />

shop. I actually looked pretty good<br />

for 20 bucks!<br />

What do your friends and family<br />

have to say about your new<br />

modeling career?<br />

Everybody I told about the shoot<br />

was very excited and told me to just<br />

have fun. So I did!


28<br />

Lunch with the Superintendent:<br />

A Delicious Conversation with Dr. Brenda Becker<br />

Talking it up with Brenda about her new position in Hempfield School District and<br />

future plans for moving forward with sensational education.<br />

Our latest Lunch was with Dr. Brenda<br />

Becker, Superintendent of Hempfield<br />

School District. Brenda is a forward<br />

thinker whose passion for life in general<br />

and education in particular was contagious.<br />

We met at The Press Room in downtown<br />

Lancaster on a recent sunny Saturday<br />

where she shared her thoughts about her<br />

new position, her goals for the district, and<br />

her views on education in general.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: After a President takes office, there is<br />

a commentary about the first one hundred<br />

days in office. Tell us how you are feeling<br />

about your first one hundred days.<br />

BB: I hit the ground running and have<br />

been running hard ever since. I have<br />

been meeting with lots of stakeholders<br />

– community members, parents,<br />

school board members, administrators,<br />

professional staff, and support staff – to<br />

learn about the history and culture of the<br />

district. Fortunately, having lived in the<br />

district for 24 years, being a parent of two<br />

HSD graduates, and having collaborated<br />

with a number of administrators and<br />

teachers from the district in the past,<br />

I didn’t come into the position totally<br />

unaware of the district. At this point, I am<br />

working to learn what we are doing well<br />

and where we face challenges and need<br />

to do better. I have been very impressed<br />

with the work ethic and loyalty of district<br />

employees and equally impressed by<br />

community members who find ways to<br />

partner with the district.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Tell us about your future plans, both<br />

immediate and long term for the district.<br />

“At this point, I am working to<br />

learn what we are doing well and<br />

where we face challenges and<br />

need to do better.”<br />

BB: The immediate plans are to continue<br />

listening and learning while ensuring we<br />

are moving forward. The high school<br />

has already completed the school<br />

improvement plan that was necessary for<br />

failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress<br />

for all sub-groups of students and to be<br />

proactive; all of our buildings are currently<br />

working on school improvement plans.<br />

This process provides a mechanism to<br />

analyze student achievement in each<br />

building and devise action plans to address<br />

challenges that are faced. Another major<br />

endeavor we are working on this year<br />

is our strategic plan. The new process<br />

for strategic planning coming down<br />

from the PA Department of Education<br />

encompasses individual plans for Chapter<br />

Four, educational technology, induction,<br />

professional education, and special<br />

education. They must be integrated and<br />

based on data. Long term plans include<br />

looking at all of our programs to evaluate<br />

what is working and what is not; looking<br />

at our organizational structure, policies,<br />

and procedures to determine how we<br />

can become more efficient; providing for<br />

smooth transitions as we are welcoming<br />

new administrators and school board<br />

members; and identifying and pursuing<br />

creative funding streams to reduce the<br />

burden on our taxpayers. Focusing on<br />

student achievement and welfare are<br />

always at the top of our list.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Hempfield encompasses a large<br />

geographic area and therefore has a larger<br />

than typical student population. What<br />

unique circumstance does this present?<br />

“Focusing on student achievement<br />

and welfare are always at the top<br />

of our list.”<br />

BB: We do have a large and very diverse<br />

student population, which both enriches<br />

us and provides some unique challenges.<br />

With 2400+ students in our high school,<br />

we are working on strategies to provide a<br />

more personal experience for each of our<br />

students to ensure no students are “falling<br />

between the cracks.” Our high school is<br />

actually larger than some entire districts.<br />

We provide a wealth of student activities<br />

and clubs for students to get involved with<br />

and connected to each other. Throughout<br />

the district, many programs are held<br />

to promote appreciation of cultural<br />

diversity, with our number of English<br />

language learners growing each year. We<br />

are finding that more of our incoming<br />

English language learners are coming with<br />

limited to no English skills, which means<br />

we must provide more time for these<br />

students in English as a Second Language<br />

(ESL) classes, translating into more staff<br />

members. We also work to provide<br />

consistency across our programs so that<br />

what students know and are able to do in<br />

one elementary school is the same as at<br />

our other elementary buildings.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: We hear all the time about school<br />

districts losing programs and or services<br />

due to lack of funds. Is there any such<br />

concern for HSD?<br />

BB: We are always concerned about<br />

our ability to sustain our programs in the<br />

district. Unfortunately, the state has not<br />

managed to provide any real reform when<br />

it comes to providing funding for public<br />

schools across the Commonwealth. In<br />

previous years, the state provided about<br />

50% of the funding for public schools.<br />

Today in Hempfield, approximately 75%<br />

of our funding comes from local taxpayers,<br />

with only about 25% from the state and<br />

a very small amount from the federal<br />

government. Many of the mandates<br />

coming to us from both Washington and<br />

Harrisburg do not have funding attached,<br />

which means we must either raise taxes<br />

on local homeowners or possibly reduce<br />

our programs. We are trying very hard<br />

to work on additional funding streams so<br />

that we don’t have to put the full burden<br />

on our local taxpayers. We are very<br />

conscious of the fact that many of our<br />

taxpayers are on fixed incomes, and all of<br />

us have escalating bills due to increased<br />

energy costs. Of course, when costs for<br />

energy and fuel go up for homeowners,<br />

they go up for us in the district as well.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Tell us about some of the alternative<br />

funding initiatives.<br />

BB: Probably best known is the<br />

agreement the district entered into with<br />

Market Street Sports Group to provide<br />

naming rights to some district venues in<br />

exchange for funding over a three year<br />

period. In addition, we are working to<br />

grow our catering business, and our child<br />

nutrition department provides meals for<br />

other educational institutions. Our print<br />

shop completes printing jobs for school<br />

districts and other entities. We are also<br />

exploring some additional initiatives, but<br />

they are not far enough along to make<br />

public yet.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: It sounds like they should change<br />

your title from Superintendent to Chief<br />

Executive Officer!<br />

BB: That isn’t too far from reality.<br />

Running a school district today means<br />

you have to be able to handle employee<br />

relations and negotiations; construction<br />

projects, facilities, and maintenance;<br />

compliance issues with both Harrisburg<br />

and Washington; public relations;<br />

politics; budgets, grants, taxes, and<br />

innovative financing; athletics and fine<br />

arts; community partnerships; certification<br />

issues; transportation; safety and security;<br />

professional development; instructional<br />

and operational technology; health and<br />

wellness initiatives; and a little weather<br />

forecasting. This is all in addition to our<br />

primary job of ensuring a quality education<br />

to each and every one of our students.<br />

Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people<br />

are seeking administrative positions in<br />

education, which makes me concerned<br />

about the future of public education.<br />

Thankfully, I love my job, and I have a very<br />

supportive husband who doesn’t get to<br />

see me very often.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: Speaking of your husband, tell us a<br />

little bit about your background and family.<br />

BB: I am the oldest of five children<br />

who grew up in the city of Lancaster. It<br />

is because of the excellent education I<br />

received and the outstanding teachers<br />

I had in the School District of Lancaster<br />

that I decided to go into education. My<br />

father was a high school dropout, and my<br />

mother was the only one of six children<br />

who graduated from high school. I did<br />

not come from an educated family, but<br />

my parents always instilled in all of us<br />

the importance of education. Another<br />

lesson imparted to all of us was that<br />

whatever path we chose to pursue, we<br />

needed to give it our all. I lost my father<br />

this past spring, and I still have so much<br />

I wanted to share with him. My mother,<br />

sister, one brother, and step-daughter<br />

live in the district. One brother lives in<br />

Elizabethtown, and the youngest brother<br />

is in Boston. I have two children who<br />

are both Hempfield graduates. My son<br />

is working in the restaurant industry<br />

in Charlotte, NC, and my daughter is<br />

married and living in Elizabethtown. She<br />

is still performing at Ephrata Performing<br />

Arts Center after receiving some terrific<br />

training in theatre and music at Hempfield.<br />

I’ve had a number of nieces and nephews<br />

graduate from Hempfield, as well and<br />

still have one niece at Centerville Middle<br />

School and a grandson at Hempfield High<br />

School.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: It seems as if you were fated for this<br />

position, and it certainly sounds like the<br />

district is in sound and caring hands. As we<br />

wrap up, is there anything that we have<br />

not covered that you would like to share<br />

with our readers?<br />

Trend-setting<br />

~ Apparel & Accessories<br />

~ Fine Toiletries<br />

~ Exquisite Candles<br />

~ Greeting Cards<br />

BB: The challenges faced by today’s public<br />

schools are a far cry from the experiences<br />

I had during my public education as a<br />

student. Because most people have<br />

experience in schools, they believe they<br />

understand what we deal with on a day to<br />

day and year to year basis. Ten years ago<br />

their assumptions may have been correct,<br />

but the scenario today is far different.<br />

Schools become a microcosm and reflect<br />

what is happening in the overall society.<br />

Today we must be concerned about<br />

everything from suicide to obesity, from<br />

armed intruders to gangs and significant<br />

physical and emotional challenges of our<br />

students. Overall, I believe the district<br />

and community are blessed to have so<br />

many caring individuals who go above and<br />

beyond on a regular basis to benefit our<br />

students and community.<br />

We work very hard to earn the trust of<br />

our parents and guardians in the way that<br />

we safeguard and educate their children.<br />

Although I believe we do many things well,<br />

there are always areas in which we can<br />

and are intent to improve. Most important<br />

is the need for productive communication<br />

among stakeholders. I welcome parent<br />

and community collaboration so that we<br />

can be an effective and vital contributor to<br />

the greater Hempfield community. As for<br />

priorities, for me it is still all about the kids.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>: It certainly sounds like HSD will<br />

be meeting those challenges with<br />

enthusiasm with you leading the way.<br />

Thank you for your time and for having<br />

lunch with us today.<br />

BB: My pleasure!<br />

In store fashion show –<br />

First Friday December 7th<br />

“As for priorities, for me it is still<br />

all about the kids.” 21 West King Street • Lancaster • 390-2868<br />

M-Th: 10-5, F-S: 9-5, First Fridays till 8<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>


Find Bernard’s at Brighton to soothe the<br />

holiday stress. Located in the Brighton<br />

development on Fruitville Pike directly<br />

across from Bent Creek, Bernard’s is<br />

an oasis of relaxation. A full service spa,<br />

they offer a wide variety of treatments to<br />

refresh and rejuvenate you. You no longer<br />

need to fi ght for an appointment at the<br />

Spa at Hotel Hershey (no appointments<br />

on weekends unless you are staying in<br />

the hotel!), Bernard’s at Brighton offers<br />

everything you want right here in Lancaster.<br />

Bernard’s at Brighton<br />

1325 Brighton Avenue<br />

Lititz, PA 17543<br />

717.581.0903<br />

www.bernardsatbrighton.com<br />

Below: Commemoritive tile of Bernard<br />

<strong>FLL</strong><br />

find


What to Buy...<br />

For Everyone?<br />

Damian Rhodes,<br />

FM97 on air personality dreams<br />

of the perfect Holiday gifts.<br />

By Maia Cargas<br />

‘Tis The Season...<br />

It may seem that<br />

one must travel<br />

to distant lands or<br />

larger cities to shop<br />

successfully for the<br />

holidays. However,<br />

quality, high fashion,<br />

one-of-a-kind items and<br />

more can be found within<br />

city-limits. The answer to<br />

where to shop and what to buy<br />

is actually only miles away. You<br />

just have to know where to look.<br />

➺<br />

So here is a guide to help you<br />

fi gure it out, and enjoy<br />

what the holidays<br />

are all about...<br />

refl ect product listed.<br />

1 Mom<br />

Mom will cherish a plush pair of slippers by Goody<br />

Goody from Lancaster’s Zanzibar Romancing<br />

Your Senses located at 21 West King Street. This<br />

season Zanzibar is expecting their lavish slippers<br />

constructed from gorgeous fabrics and embellished<br />

fl owers, to be a top-seller. These women’s slippers<br />

in sizes small, medium, and large are so soft to<br />

wear that your wife, mother, girlfriend, daughter or<br />

any woman that you care about will treasure the<br />

comfort. Zanzibar’s Goody Goody slippers create<br />

contentment and relief with a sense of style.<br />

Perhaps Mom’s fancy shall be met by the art of<br />

food and wine. You can never go wrong with a gift<br />

certifi cate to Lancaster’s Strawberry Hill Restaurant<br />

situated at 128 West Strawberry Street. Allow her to<br />

enjoy the local fl avors from Lancaster City’s market<br />

that are incorporated into the assorted menu.<br />

She will revel in the relaxed sophistication, fi ne<br />

modern American cuisine, and vast compilation of<br />

wines from around the world.<br />

You can undoubtedly fi nd many treasures for Mom<br />

from Linen’s & Things. I suggest the Wallet Pix, a<br />

tiny digital photo album that stores 58 wallet-sized<br />

photos. The little contraption is the size of a credit<br />

card and will rest comfortably in her wallet. Mom<br />

can now show the latest pictures of the kids or<br />

family at the touch of a button. No more outdated<br />

and tattered school pictures in her purse.<br />

Mom might not be the number one electronics<br />

fan on your list, but she will surely appreciate a<br />

portable DVD player from Circuit City. I suggest the<br />

Toshiba 10.2 inch Portable DVD Player that can be<br />

powered through your car. This convenient device<br />

could be her ticket to a more relaxing trip to the<br />

beach next summer.<br />

➺* Photos do not necessarily<br />

Pappagallo is a smart and savvy shopping<br />

destination for the husband looking to surprise his<br />

wife with quality comfort and irrefutable style. The<br />

luxurious zip-hoodies are a must-have this season.<br />

No woman would say no to a comfy cover-up that<br />

looks good as well. Papagallo also offers posh<br />

robes by Barefoot Dreams. Her dreams will come<br />

true after slipping into this cozy wrap during fast<br />

approaching cooler days. While shopping at this<br />

fi ne boutique on 28 West Orange Street, be sure<br />

to check out the select handbags and distinctive<br />

artisan jewelry as well.<br />

Perchance you can make her smile with a<br />

brighter smile. Christian Silvaggio Cosmetic<br />

Dentistry offers gift certifi cates for their teeth<br />

bleaching procedure. Only one visit of two<br />

hours will brighten her pearly whites six to<br />

eight shades whiter.<br />

A jewelry box from Higashi Pearls & Fine Jewelry<br />

is a must-have. The simple yet stylish box is<br />

handcrafted exclusively at Higashi. After selecting<br />

a jewelry box, check out the Judith Ripka line of<br />

jewelry. Yellow gold, smoky topaz, green amethyst,<br />

canary yellow, and pearls are hot for the holidays.<br />

“Time is on my side” for Mick Jagger...<br />

unfortunately not many moms could agree. Give<br />

the gift of time by offering a gift certifi cate from<br />

Y.E.S. Concierge. This local service will make life<br />

easier and more relaxing by taking over some<br />

of her daily chores and tasks. A few hours of<br />

relaxation might be just what she needs after<br />

another busy holiday season.<br />

33


34<br />

2 Dad<br />

Zanzibar offers fi ne leather gloves for the man in<br />

your life. These gloves are available in twelve styles.<br />

If you really want to put a smile on his face, hook<br />

him up with a custom home theatre system from<br />

GNT Audio/Video. You could never, ever go wrong<br />

with a customized audio fi tting so he can watch<br />

the games and enjoy the latest blockbusters with a<br />

personalized fl are. As for selecting the television,<br />

LCD high-defi nition format televisions remain a<br />

very popular choice.<br />

If extravagance is your goal, explore the sporty C30<br />

coupe at Stadel Volvo. This mean machine is small<br />

and personal, aiming to equip the specifi cations<br />

of its lucky driver. The XC70 is also popular this<br />

season. This family friendly crossover vehicle is<br />

concerned with safety, security, and convenience.<br />

Another lavish vehicle to look at this holiday is<br />

the Mercedes CLK350 mid-size convertible. This<br />

luxury vehicle is built for year-round enjoyment.<br />

The heated rear window guarantees comfortable<br />

handling through the seasons. The bold freethinker<br />

will certainly enjoy this invigorating new ride.<br />

Find something special at Warren Jewelers that only<br />

a sister could choose. First of all, you will be pleased<br />

with the receptive service that you discover as you<br />

walk into this fi ne jewelry store at 1490 Harrisburg<br />

Pike, near Park City Center. A pair of beautifully cut<br />

Garden Flower Drop earrings by Hearts on Fire is a<br />

phenomenal pick. Your sister with the green thumb<br />

will look stunning in these elegant earrings where<br />

diamonds are organized in a fl oral arrangement.<br />

The Amorous Journey Heart Pendant in 18kt<br />

white gold is another lovely stylish gift that Warren<br />

Jewelers has to offer.<br />

A gift certifi cate to Briala Bodyworks at 407 West<br />

Chestnut Street is a hip gift idea. Your sister will love<br />

a private yoga or Piliates session with Briala to start<br />

the new year right. There is also Evolution Power<br />

Yoga at 447 North Mulberry Street. Evolution offers<br />

day and evening classes in beginner, advanced, and<br />

instructor levels. Private lessons are also available.<br />

Give your sister the power to harness inspiration<br />

while exercising her body and mind.<br />

An additional idea is a fl ashy digital camera from<br />

Circuit City. I suggest the top-rated 7.2 megapixel<br />

Casio EX-Z75RD in red. This sleek camera is<br />

equipped with anti-shake DSP, Best Shot mode, and<br />

34 programmed settings to ensure the perfect shot.<br />

This gift is the perfect tool for capturing the joys of<br />

the season.<br />

❆3 Sister<br />

4 Brother<br />

Good food never fails the hunger of man. Treat your<br />

brother to a gift certifi cate to Jethro’s Restaurant &<br />

Bar located on 659 First Street. This comfortable<br />

space features an ingenious array of contemporary<br />

American cuisine. For starters I suggest the smoked<br />

trout or sautéed calamari. The evening must be<br />

fi nished with the unbelievable homemade crème<br />

caramel. This hidden gem boasts an eclectic menu<br />

and intimate setting.<br />

Another restaurant that your brother may enjoy is<br />

Refl ections Fine Food and Spirits located at 1390<br />

Oregon Road in Leola. The Refl ection’s friendly staff<br />

will provide a warm welcome. He will certainly fi nd<br />

something tasty from the assorted menu of seafood<br />

and steaks to vegetarian plates.<br />

If your brother is a sports fan, consider purchasing<br />

season tickets for next year’s Lancaster Barnstormers<br />

baseball season. There are different packages from<br />

which to choose; dugout, fi eld, and game fi eld box<br />

seats are available. Maybe you can buy him some<br />

peanuts and cracker jacks too.<br />

5 Friend<br />

Impress your friend with an original Christiane<br />

David painting. You will certainly enjoy your<br />

shopping experience as you stroll through the<br />

Christiane David Gallery at 142 North Prince Street.<br />

Pick one of her brightly colored masterpieces to<br />

bring some joy into the home of your dear friend.<br />

Prints are also available, and Christiane will work<br />

by commission.<br />

Another thought is a unique accessory from Village<br />

Boutique Jewelry and Accessories located in the<br />

heart of Neffsville at 14 Meadow Lane. Something<br />

special that will catch your attention is the fi ne jewelry<br />

collection or casual fashion jewelry. The Butler Bag<br />

(the world’s 1st Compartmentalized Handbag) is an<br />

excellent gift idea. This bag, locally found only at<br />

the Village Boutique, is a unique tote that organizes<br />

everything. Internal compartments make it a synch<br />

to fi nd what you are looking for. The convenience<br />

achieved by this practical yet fashionable bag is<br />

unparalleled. The sleek, hand stitched leather bag is<br />

available in two sizes and six colors.<br />

Your culinary friend who enjoys hosting dinner<br />

parties may be pleased with the Hershey Kiss<br />

Fondue Set from Linens & Things on Fruitville<br />

Pike. When not hosting a party, she can use it as a<br />

cute container for candies. It could also store the<br />

chocolates destined to melt into a creamy dipping<br />

experience at the next holiday bash.<br />

Perhaps you have another important person on your<br />

list that would value an original oil painting, pastel,<br />

or ceramic piece. Take a look in The Living Light<br />

Gallery on 150 North Prince Street where the art<br />

connoisseur and talented entrepreneur Pat Renna<br />

will most likely greet you. Maybe your friend would<br />

appreciate the classic realism in James Sulkowski’s<br />

paintings. Manfred Heine-Baux’s bold and vibrant<br />

application of color offers brilliant creations. An<br />

original painting is a gift that will last a lifetime. It<br />

grows with you as the construction of the media<br />

slightly changes over time.<br />

35


36<br />

➻<br />

Friends<br />

Strawberry Hill offers the unique option of supreme<br />

gift baskets. The customized baskets contain<br />

anything and everything from Long’s Horseradish to<br />

holiday ornaments created by the pastry chef. The<br />

baskets proudly secure items from local businesses<br />

and establishments. Distinctive Strawberry Hill<br />

wine glasses and shirts may inhabit a gift basket,<br />

which can be picked-up or delivered by mail for<br />

convenience during this hectic time of year. The<br />

feature of personalizing their gift baskets gives<br />

Strawberry Hill an added bonus to an already<br />

established fi ne dining spot.<br />

Friends from out of town will be grateful for the<br />

gift of comfortable quarters for premium lodging.<br />

Go no further than the Lancaster Arts Hotel. The<br />

Arts hotel offers a variety of special packages<br />

such as the ‘Brewmaster Package’ and ‘Meet the<br />

Market Master Package’ to guarantee a distinctive<br />

stay. Gift certifi cates for the Arts Hotel’s John J.<br />

Jeffries Restaurant will provide an exceptional<br />

American Cuisine dining encounter. Your guests will<br />

certainly appreciate the unique style and luxurious<br />

accommodations at this select setting.<br />

For a small gift, present your out-of-town friend or<br />

family member with Wilbur Buds from The Wilbur<br />

Chocolate Company at 48 North Broad Street in<br />

Lititz. One or fi ve pound bags are available as well as<br />

5.5 ounce 24 count cases of milk or semisweet buds.<br />

These outrageously delicious chocolates are dreamy<br />

treats that originate here in Lancaster County.<br />

7 Co-Workers<br />

or Boss<br />

A gift certifi cate to a noteworthy restaurant is<br />

always a good choice for a boss or co-worker. Try<br />

the Belvedere Inn Restaurant and Bar on 402 North<br />

Queen Street, where fi ne food and spirits eloquently<br />

meet. Their signature Grilled Caesar is phenomenal.<br />

They also utilize local produce to further the<br />

freshness and taste of exquisite menu items.<br />

Take a look in Details Style for Living located at 30<br />

North Queen Street. You will certainly fi nd a little<br />

something for an amicable co-worker or a Secret<br />

Out of Town<br />

Santa. This stylish store sells effects for home and<br />

garden. One of the festive handcrafted and hand<br />

painted wooden ornaments designed by Sticks<br />

would be a smart choice.<br />

If you would really like to show your boss some<br />

appreciation, give a gift certifi cate to Escape at<br />

Avanti located at 1038 Columbia Avenue. A trip<br />

to this quiet and relaxed spa to be pampered and<br />

soaked in needed relaxation would be exceptionally<br />

benefi cial for anybody. A variety of treatments<br />

are available including massage, facials, and<br />

wraps. ‘The GREAT Escape’ includes two hours<br />

of soothing music and aromas along with massage<br />

and facial. This package allows for a getaway for<br />

mind and body.<br />

Another excellent choice for spa treatment is the<br />

Bernard’s at Brighton Day Spa at 1325 Brighton<br />

Avenue in Lititz. This lovely local spa concentrates<br />

on the total wellbeing of its cliental. Your gift<br />

recipient will enjoy the salon equipped with a<br />

make-up area, styling stations, and manicure and<br />

pedicure rooms. The spa offers single and couple’s<br />

massages and a world of relaxation in the serenity<br />

room to fi nish the stay. The fortunate receiver of this<br />

thoughtful gift will sip tea and relax as he or she<br />

benefi ts from a peaceful escape from the trials of<br />

the day.<br />

An amazing destination for your next work or<br />

family occasion is the Meritage Restaurant located<br />

in Mount Joy at Groff’s Farm. You will discover<br />

impeccable service and exceptional fare. Enjoy the<br />

horseradish-crusted rack of lamb paired with fi ne<br />

wine. The Meritage is a perfect choice for large<br />

groups or intimate dining.<br />

8 Host<br />

➻6 ❋ ❋❋❋<br />

A bottle of delicious mulled holiday wine from the<br />

Mount Hope Carriage House Wine Shoppe on the<br />

grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair in<br />

Manheim is a perfect choice. Your host will savor<br />

the rich fl avor of this local wine served hot for<br />

the holiday.<br />

An appealing tablecloth or fancy glassware from<br />

Details would be a stylish and suitable hostess gift.<br />

Decking out the table is in this season.<br />

To bring something unique for the hostess of your<br />

next holiday party, explore Ten Thousand Villages<br />

Store at 240 North Reading Road in Ephrata. You<br />

will fi nd an array of fair trade items handcrafted by<br />

gifted artisans from around the world. The Lotus<br />

Flower Candleholder crafted from capiz shell is<br />

one of the best sellers. The Handmade Soap Set in<br />

green apple, mango and coconut scents from India<br />

is a distinctive and practical hostess gift. Be original<br />

and support the integrity of the global fair trade<br />

artisan market at the same time.<br />

Hopefully these leads will indeed<br />

help you succeed!


See<br />

“Retro Fulton” by ‘O’mcilla<br />

Seeing the Light<br />

Living Light Gallery Leaves a Lasting Impression<br />

By Maia Cargas<br />

Living Light Gallery, located at 150 North<br />

Prince Street, is a noteworthy addition to<br />

Lancaster’s Gallery Row. This new in-town<br />

gallery resides in the historic district of<br />

Lancaster and is the creation of the dedicated<br />

entrepreneur Pat Renna. Living Light Gallery<br />

offers a variety of artwork created by awardwinning<br />

local, national, and international<br />

artists. Equipped with a private courtyard,<br />

this two-story space built in 1859 exudes a<br />

pre-civil war atmosphere through its authentic<br />

hard wood fl oors and original design. Renna’s<br />

collection of artwork consists of oil, acrylic,<br />

watercolor, and mixed media. Sculpture,<br />

hand-blown glass, and ceramic pieces are also<br />

in artful attendance throughout the gallery. It is<br />

truly a cultural treat to experience a variety of<br />

exquisitely beautiful artwork in a distinguished<br />

historic setting.<br />

Pat Renna is a fi rm believer in the golden<br />

rule: do unto others. She strives to provide a<br />

positive environment for interested audiences<br />

from all walks of life. Pat shows a mixture of<br />

work that is sure to captivate a wide range<br />

of observers. She believes in making artwork<br />

accessible, enabling all to wander into the<br />

splendid world of art. Renna hopes to provide<br />

a little something for everyone as her upbeat<br />

ambiance impacts cliental. Pat Renna opens<br />

the doors of her gallery to entertain the<br />

perceptions of all who appreciate the arts.<br />

James Sulkowski displays his work in classical<br />

realism at the Living Light Gallery. This<br />

renowned artist, originally from Pennsylvania,<br />

is an amazing master who grinds his own<br />

paints and builds his own gessoed panels and<br />

canvases. Sulkowski’s timeless renderings of<br />

nature in still life and landscape settings are<br />

accentuated by his remarkable use of light,<br />

reminiscent of Rembrant. Sulkowski’s paintings<br />

are an appropriate tenant of Living Light<br />

Gallery. The enduring creations of this fi ne<br />

artist are a pleasure to absorb and value.<br />

Another distinguished artist who shares his<br />

work at the Living Light Gallery is Manfred<br />

Heine-Baux. Manfred studied in Germany<br />

originally and indulged in international travels<br />

that surely infl uenced his work. His vibrant<br />

use of lively contrasting colors creates a<br />

daring expressionism that is reminiscent<br />

of Van Gogh’s work. These rich works<br />

seem to have no boundaries as they depict<br />

active scenes with a sense of brawny solidity.<br />

Manfred’s imaginative work is a genuine joy<br />

to experience.<br />

The Living Light Gallery is also home to local<br />

talents such as Matthew Jakielski, a gifted artist<br />

who studied in Lancaster. Matthew specializes<br />

in hand-blown glass and ceramic masterpieces.<br />

Each striking object of blown-glass creates<br />

a beautiful structure to saturate one’s gaze.<br />

His inventive ceramic pieces are absolutely<br />

inspired and just as enjoyable as his glass<br />

creations. Jakielski is a sure local talent.<br />

Ann Jenemann, a native of New Jersey,<br />

displays warm weather landscapes on the<br />

fi rst fl oor of the gallery. Her media of choice<br />

is pastel and oil, and she is known for her<br />

landscapes and skyscapes, often using Ohio as<br />

her subject matter. One may get lost in the<br />

warmth of ‘Amish Sunset’ as it allows for a<br />

familiar getaway for the senses.<br />

Judy Smith is another local artist whose<br />

attractive watercolors can be viewed at Living<br />

“Peaceful Retreat” by James Sulkowski<br />

“Floral with Turquoise Vase” by James Sulkowski<br />

“Le Grande Marche” by Manfred Heine-Baux<br />

“Pears I” by Judy W. Smith<br />

“Untitled in Red” by Paula Nizamas<br />

Light Gallery. Watercolors may seem<br />

quite delicate, but her paintings permeate<br />

strength through delicacy. Judy was born<br />

in Lancaster and studied at the Art Institute<br />

of Pittsburgh. Today she exhibits in public<br />

and private collections, including the<br />

Lancaster General Women and Babies<br />

Hospital. She states that she loves to get<br />

into the total concentration of painting<br />

and enjoys the spontaneity of the creative<br />

process. The chance element that is<br />

involved in painting really interests Judy<br />

as she creates. “Sometimes wonderful<br />

surprises happen when one is patient and<br />

just lets things happen.” Smith is excited<br />

about the cultural rise in Lancaster County<br />

over the past ten years. This excitement<br />

is refl ected in works that use scenes of<br />

Lancaster County as subject material. Judy<br />

cherishes her time painting, and it is safe<br />

to say that many cherish the products of<br />

that time.<br />

As art connoisseurs wander the cozy<br />

courtyard, they are accompanied by the<br />

inspired sculptures of local artist Dan<br />

Witmer. Additional Witmer originals<br />

can be found throughout the gallery.<br />

His sizable metal sculptures coincide<br />

comfortably with the manicured gardens<br />

in this exceptional outdoor display of<br />

artwork. The outdoor wall of the building<br />

is adorned with lovely pastel creations.<br />

As Pat informs me, contrary to common<br />

belief, pastels are actually a very sturdy<br />

and enduring medium. The longer pastel<br />

is on a surface, the more permanent it<br />

becomes. This revelation made me think<br />

about the lasting impression that the<br />

Living Light Gallery was creating as I<br />

traveled through the talent laden walls<br />

of this fi ne gallery.<br />

Pat Renna passionately shows an array of<br />

artists and a variety of media in her new<br />

gallery on North Prince Street. The Living<br />

Light Gallery, set in a historic Lancaster<br />

building, is home to many amazing<br />

creations that are waiting to visually delight<br />

their audiences. Renna enjoys involvement<br />

in the popular First Fridays and events such<br />

as the Art Walk. She simply wants to share<br />

the beauty of these very talented artists<br />

with anyone who is willing to appreciate<br />

it. She welcomes any interested party<br />

into her gallery, whether he or she has<br />

intention to purchase a work or just revel<br />

in the talent of these remarkable artists. So<br />

live it up a little, take a refreshing tour, and<br />

see the light of the Living Light Gallery. <strong>FLL</strong><br />

Maia Cargas has a strong passion for literature<br />

and art. She resides in downtown Lancaster and<br />

can be reached at mlcargas@comcast.net<br />

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Lily’s on Main now serving<br />

“Pretzel Chicken”<br />

a Fine Living Lancaster<br />

Signature Dish<br />

Signature Dish<br />

This new feature, Signature Dish, integrates a local chef and/or restaurateur with an engaging<br />

Lancastrian who share a common interest. It follows them through the process of creating a<br />

new dish for the restaurant that displays their connection. The dish will then be offered at the<br />

restaurant as a special for ninety days.<br />

Steve Brown, Owner of Lily’s on Main; Kelly Kapinos, Head<br />

Chef; Bill Puffer, Owner of Zanzibar<br />

Two Steve’s, two drummers, and<br />

two who are passionate about food.<br />

Restaurant owner of Lily’s on Main of<br />

Ephrata, Steve Brown, and Steve Puffer,<br />

co-owner of the unique downtown<br />

Lancaster boutique, Zanzibar, sat down<br />

together at Lily’s and chatted about<br />

their common interest in playing the<br />

drums and about their new creation<br />

for the menu.<br />

Steve Puffer remembers always banging<br />

and tapping on everything; he learned<br />

to play the drums in the 5th grade. He<br />

played in bands for years and then did<br />

sound for other bands, including the<br />

Innocence Mission, the band Steve<br />

Brown played with in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s.<br />

The dining area of Lily’s on Main offers art deco decor in a comfortable<br />

setting with a beautiful view of downtown Ephrata<br />

Puffer now has a recording studio in his<br />

home. He has always been into music<br />

in one form or another and continues<br />

to play locally. Although he and the rest<br />

of the band don’t get together as much<br />

as he would like, due to multiple jobs<br />

and family commitments, his affection for<br />

drumming prevails.<br />

Formed in Lancaster, the Innocence<br />

Mission, an alternative folk band<br />

comprised of four schoolmates, went<br />

on to make music that topped the<br />

Billboard charts and became soundtracks<br />

for fi lm and television. Ten years ago,<br />

Steve Brown left the Innocence Mission<br />

to become a full-time chef. A different<br />

way of communicating with another<br />

person is the way in which Brown sees<br />

both cooking and drumming. By taking<br />

something that you hear, see or<br />

smell in your mind, you express it in<br />

another language.<br />

Brown has always wanted to be both a<br />

drummer and a chef and feels extremely<br />

fortunate having been able to do both.<br />

Originally, he wanted to have his own<br />

restaurant so that he and his band could<br />

play in it. That was back when he was<br />

fi fteen years old and working in a deli.<br />

As the starving musician adage goes, he<br />

always worked in restaurants because<br />

he knew that way he would always have<br />

something to eat. From a manager at a<br />

fast food chain to cooking at fi ne dining<br />

establishments in Lancaster County, Steve<br />

Brown learned the restaurant biz. When<br />

he was on the road with the Innocence<br />

Mission, he enveloped himself in the<br />

different culinary cultures he found<br />

throughout the country. This experience<br />

would eventually lead to the theory<br />

behind the American-style concept of<br />

Lily’s cuisine, the restaurant that is named<br />

after his daughter.<br />

Steve Puffer’s Zanzibar features specialty<br />

gift items, aromatic quality candles, and<br />

beautiful designer women’s apparel and<br />

accessories. With the tag line, “romancing<br />

your senses,” to his boutique, you might<br />

know that this Steve has a sense for all<br />

things good, including good food. He<br />

comments that he loves to eat and that<br />

his girlfriend of ten years is an absolutely<br />

magnifi cent cook. When they dine out,<br />

they go out for the service.<br />

In developing the concept for the dish<br />

that would tie these two Steve’s together,<br />

they thought that the quintessential<br />

fl avors of Lancaster County would be<br />

perfect, complementing the theme of<br />

the magazine and the American-style<br />

of the restaurant. Lily’s chef of six years<br />

Kelly Kapinos was brought into the<br />

mix for ideas, too. Kapinos and Brown<br />

work well together on new dishes, and<br />

they appreciate each other’s opinions.<br />

What started as using turkey or chicken<br />

“drumsticks” as an à propos main<br />

ingredient evolved into a refi ned entrée<br />

featuring local fare.<br />

The new dish was dubbed Pretzel<br />

Chicken and was devised by combining<br />

the epitome of Lancaster County snacks<br />

Continued on page 44<br />

Head chef of six years, Kelly Kapinos, creates the Signature Dish, Pretzel Chicken<br />

43


Continued from page 43<br />

– Pennsylvania Dutch hard pretzels,<br />

mustard and cheese - with chicken<br />

breasts. (Chicken breasts inherently have<br />

more appeal than drumsticks.) After the<br />

dish was agreed upon, Kelly got to it. She<br />

started by coating chicken breasts with<br />

Dijon mustard and then sheathing them<br />

in what would ultimately turn out to be<br />

a crunchy coating of a combination of<br />

ground Hammond’s pretzels and bread<br />

crumbs. Kelly then seared the chicken<br />

breasts, topped them with a slice of brie,<br />

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and popped them into a 400 degree<br />

oven. She moved over to the stovetop<br />

and combined equal portions of chicken<br />

stock and demi-glace to become the<br />

base of a wonderfully rich sauce. Fire<br />

abounded as brandy was added to the<br />

pot, and the sauce was fi nished with<br />

cream, Dijon and Worcestershire.<br />

When it came time to plate the dish,<br />

mashed gold potatoes served as the<br />

foundation surrounded by a pool of<br />

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by the chicken with melted brie. As<br />

asparagus is the vegetable of choice at<br />

Lily’s because it is part of the lily family,<br />

Kelly stacked the dish with another layer<br />

of freshly seared asparagus. A rosemary<br />

spear and playful Hammond’s pretzel<br />

garnish gave the dish its fi nal form.<br />

Out of the kitchen and onto the fl oor, the<br />

chef brought the dish to the two Steve’s<br />

and Fine Living Lancaster staff. How is<br />

that for service? Paired with Yeungling<br />

lager, it was ready to be tasted by all. The<br />

fl avor of this locally inspired dish with its<br />

harmoniously mingled ingredients rivaled<br />

its presentation.<br />

Accolades were abundant, but Steve<br />

Brown said it best, “Everybody’s going<br />

to want this special!” Everyone can have<br />

this special as it will be offered at Lily’s on<br />

Main - but only for the next ninety days.<br />

Lily’s on Main Owner Steve Brown<br />

The Brossman Building\<br />

124 E. Main Street, Ephrata PA<br />

717-738-2711<br />

Zanzibar Co-Owner Steve Puffer<br />

21 W. King Street, Lancaster PA<br />

717-390-2868<br />

Sue Barry has had original recipes published in<br />

national magazines and for several years she<br />

wrote articles on food and restaurants for a<br />

Dauphin County publication. She is employed<br />

by Lititz Borough as Borough Manager.<br />

<strong>FLL</strong>


Live<br />

46<br />

B&B King<br />

REMAX About Town: Harry Jefferies and B&B’s<br />

By BJ Cherry<br />

Nestled between the Park City Mall and<br />

the Lancaster Health Campus at 1776<br />

Harrisburg Pike, in stark contrast to its’<br />

bustling surroundings, you will find the<br />

REMAX About Town office. You get the<br />

impression that you are about to enter<br />

someone’s home – almost wanting to<br />

knock first. It’s 1:30 in the afternoon,<br />

and although he has an exceptionally<br />

busy schedule, Vice President Harry<br />

Jefferies greets me with a warm smile<br />

and a firm, friendly handshake. Despite<br />

the assertions of “experts” who project<br />

nothing but doom and gloom for the<br />

residential and commercial real estate<br />

markets, Harry Jefferies’ business<br />

is serene and prospering amidst a<br />

maelstrom of naysayers.<br />

The B&B King; Harry Jefferies<br />

You see, just as Harry’s office is a<br />

relief to its hectic surroundings, his<br />

commercial business focus exists<br />

outside of the pessimistic sphere<br />

of the current market. He is doing<br />

exceptionally well, as are his friends<br />

who decided to cash in on the thriving<br />

Bed and Breakfast industry in Lancaster<br />

and its surrounding counties.<br />

With over twenty years of experience<br />

in commercial real estate, Harry has<br />

weathered many market mood swings.<br />

He is passionate, professional, and<br />

extraordinarily knowledgeable about all<br />

eastern and central Pennsylvania has to<br />

offer. Bed and Breakfasts (B&B’s) just<br />

happen to be his forte; and with over<br />

150 B&B’s operating in Lancaster alone,<br />

Harry has more than enough inventory<br />

with which to work.<br />

Asked why he started focusing on<br />

B&B’s roughly nine years ago, Harry<br />

offered that he “loves to stay in Bed<br />

and Breakfasts instead of the run of the<br />

mill hotel chains because they tend to<br />

be quintessential to any particular area.<br />

They are pieces of living history. For<br />

example, the B&B in Intercourse, PA<br />

played an important role as a station<br />

in the Underground Railroad. Not to<br />

mention the people who own and<br />

operate them seem to be more<br />

down to earth and interact directly<br />

with their guests, which makes the<br />

whole experience more personable<br />

and relaxing.”<br />

Indeed, Bed and Breakfasts offer<br />

a unique experience for both the<br />

guest and the owner. They offer an<br />

atmosphere that is friendly and familiar;<br />

an idyllic setting full of history and quaint,<br />

country charm; a refreshing juxtaposition<br />

to the ever-present Motel 6’s, 7’s and<br />

8’s that inundate the highways like<br />

mutant refrigerator boxes nowadays. As<br />

a business opportunity, they marry the<br />

character of the home with a lucrative,<br />

self-controlled investment.<br />

Harry prefers selling B&B’s precisely<br />

because of these benefits, which makes<br />

them so appealing to buyers. He finds<br />

that most buyers are those who, after<br />

long hard years of the rat race, desire<br />

a more restive and relaxed business<br />

opportunity – one that allows the<br />

owner’s own distinct style to shine<br />

through. These are people who long<br />

for a change in their status quo. From<br />

business people, to school teachers,<br />

to retirees, they are folks who like<br />

to interact face-to-face with others,<br />

enjoy cooking and camaraderie, and<br />

working in a warm, comfortable, homey<br />

environment – people like Steve and<br />

Jamie Shane.<br />

The Shane’s hooked up with Harry five<br />

years ago when they were searching out<br />

B&B opportunities all along the eastern<br />

seaboard. They were settling in to an<br />

early retirement, looking to escape<br />

Ohio, and to own a business with<br />

minimal risk and lots of personality and<br />

earning potential. A simple search on<br />

the internet revealed that Harry Jefferies<br />

was the man they were looking for to<br />

help them realize their dreams. With<br />

Harry’s help, they found the Apple Bin<br />

Inn at 2835 Willow Street Pike in Willow<br />

Street. It was perfect!<br />

Steve divulged,”Harry is a top-notch<br />

professional. His insight and experience<br />

with Bed and Breakfasts was paramount<br />

in determining the right location for us.<br />

His knowledge of the area’s tourism<br />

business and the competition helped<br />

us to choose the Apple Bin Inn. The<br />

buying process was smooth and easy.<br />

He immediately found us financing,<br />

lined us up with two local banks, made<br />

sure to cross all the T’s and dot the I’s,<br />

and within four days we were Bed and<br />

Breakfast owners.”<br />

Now, Steve and Jamie, along with their<br />

son, Dylan, meet great people from<br />

all over the world every day. They<br />

have had travelers from 48 states, 45<br />

countries, and all seven continents,<br />

including Antarctica!<br />

What is it about B&B’s that draw such<br />

a blend of clientele and owners? Harry<br />

says that while B&B’s have comparable<br />

prices to many of the major chain hotels,<br />

they offer a more unique experience<br />

that is customized to the individual. They<br />

are safer, personable, and intimate.<br />

“Everybody likes to know the owner,”<br />

Harry says. “You meet real live people<br />

with real live stories.” It makes people<br />

feel like part of the family. Also, it is not<br />

like buying a restaurant or a franchise,<br />

where initial investments can reach into<br />

the millions, where the hours are long<br />

and staffing becomes a major headache,<br />

where new competition is entering the<br />

market wholesale on a daily basis.<br />

The Harry Jefferies Team gathers for conversation at Lovelace Manor on Marietta Avenue;<br />

Especially in Lancaster County where<br />

they can start at only $400,000, B&B’s<br />

afford the buyer a great opportunity to<br />

create either a primary or secondary<br />

revenue stream. Backed by good local<br />

bankers and attorneys, Harry has had<br />

great success securing financing for new<br />

owners. Depending on the level being<br />

sought, B&B’s can range from 400-800<br />

thousand dollars, 3-4 bedrooms, 4-10<br />

bedrooms, and 10+ bedrooms. It all<br />

depends on what the buyer is after, and<br />

Harry is an expert in matching the right<br />

investment choice to the individual.<br />

Typically, buyers are seeking an<br />

operation with 4-10 bedrooms,<br />

which offer a nice return on invest-<br />

ment while maintaining that laidback<br />

and personal approach to doing<br />

business. Not everyone has the skills<br />

to effectively run a B&B. The successful<br />

Bed and Breakfast owner must be able<br />

to do five things: maintain the property,<br />

manage a budget, cook breakfast,<br />

ensure customer satisfaction, and<br />

always be friendly and hospitable.<br />

Seems easy enough, and easier still<br />

when working with an experienced<br />

professional like Harry Jefferies. Harry<br />

is the leading authority for Bed and<br />

Breakfasts not just in Lancaster County,<br />

but Chester, Adams, Berks, Bucks and<br />

even Cape May. His expertise has<br />

helped many folks, like the Shane’s at<br />

Apple Bin Inn, to realize the dream of<br />

owning their own business. He and his<br />

team at REMAX About Town have all<br />

the resources necessary to help anyone<br />

with the will and ambition to find the<br />

perfect Bed and Breakfast for them. <strong>FLL</strong><br />

BJ graduated from Albright College with a BA<br />

in English. He is a New Jersey native and is<br />

an aficionado of the finer things in life and<br />

in Lancaster.<br />

Lest you think that Harry is solely focused on Bed & Breakfast’s, nothing could<br />

be further from the truth. Harry has always maintained a strong business profile<br />

in all aspects of real estate sales. In order to provide the exceptional service<br />

level to which his clients are accustomed, Harry has assembled a diverse<br />

team of professionals. Hailing from all different areas of the county, there are<br />

currently six outstanding individuals comprising The Harry Jefferies Team: Office<br />

Manager Karen Boughton, Listing Assistant & Buyer Coordinator Renea Snyder,<br />

Residential Specialists Jennifer Smith & Gary Glass, Investment & Commercial<br />

Specialist Mike Sage, three licensed Realtors and, of course, Harry Jefferies.<br />

47


The<br />

Best Christmas<br />

EVER!<br />

We all have one–a special memory from the<br />

holidays that sleeps lightly in our subconscious.<br />

Something about the nip in the air seems<br />

to rouse this memory from its slumber,<br />

bringing it to the front of our minds<br />

to warm us against the coming<br />

of winter.<br />

We asked a few Lancastrians to bring their own<br />

memories out just a bit early this year and to<br />

share these memories with us. They obliged,<br />

and we are thrilled to present them to you<br />

here. Just a few examples of the Best<br />

Christmas Ever!<br />

Rick Martin,<br />

President, Wheatland Custom Homes<br />

As I go back in my mind to memories of Christmas Pasts, I always<br />

seem to end up with my childhood memories. I guess that is<br />

a reflection of the fact that I am going back to a simpler time,<br />

when life was based on only two things: having fun and sharing<br />

love. And all those memories have one common thread–family.<br />

Some are with Mom, Dad, sister and brothers. Since Mom and<br />

Dad preferred to sleep in on Christmas day, we opened gifts<br />

on Christmas Eve, naturally after a hurried dinner and quicker<br />

clean up. Other memories are with aunts, uncles, cousins, and<br />

grandparents. I remember Grandfather Martin giving a quarter to<br />

each of his grandchildren. Even at a young age, we realized that<br />

was a great sacrifice for him with so many grandchildren. One<br />

of those early years, since my uncle Noah could not be there to<br />

share in the family celebration, we recorded a tape to send to<br />

him. I sang an unaccompanied rendition of “O Holy Night” as my<br />

contribution. A couple of years later, as teenagers, we had a “slot<br />

car” Christmas. Four of us cousins and our uncle Mel built a slot<br />

car drag race track the length of Uncle Roy’s basement and had<br />

races all day. And who could forget the year we put salt in the<br />

sugar cup. You should have heard Uncle Clair yell as he tried to<br />

drink his salt laced coffee.<br />

But the most vivid memory is one that I actually do not<br />

remember except for what is in the Martin family lore. So<br />

these are the facts according to Mom: Mom and Dad bought<br />

an American Flyer train set for all of us to share as our “big” gift.<br />

On Christmas Eve we opened up the gifts, and there was the<br />

best train we ever saw. Naturally, Dad set it up for us; and after<br />

the usual lecture about how we need to be careful with it, not<br />

running it too fast that it jumped the track, he promptly ran it so<br />

fast that it jumped off the track, rolled off the edge of the table,<br />

and ended up on the floor. It makes a better story to say that it<br />

was broken, but in reality, that is the legend, not the fact.<br />

My Christmas prayer for all of us is that we could go back, if only<br />

for the moment, and again experience Christmas as children,<br />

without all the hype and bustle, focusing on the love and joy as<br />

we celebrate the day with our friends.<br />

* * * * *<br />

Mara Sultan,<br />

Director of Sales, Lancaster Arts Hotel<br />

When I was thinking about the question, “What was your best<br />

Christmas memory?” I immediately tried to reach back in time<br />

and come up with something that happened when I was a child<br />

or long ago. But after a few more seconds passed, I realized my<br />

best Christmas memory was just last year.<br />

My husband was deployed with his Marine Unit in Iraq.<br />

Thinking of spending the holiday without him was unthinkable,<br />

especially knowing how much he loves the Christmas season<br />

– cold weather, snow, the fireplace in our cozy living room,<br />

and the family that brings our home to life on Christmas Eve<br />

and Christmas day. My step-sons and I approached the season<br />

the best we could, all knowing it would not be the same, but<br />

something amazing happened. The tiny tree that we were going<br />

to get since Dad was away, turned out to be the biggest tree<br />

we ever had! (We stood on the high end of the ground when<br />

we picked it out not realizing it was 9 feet tall!) We decorated it<br />

the same as usual, music playing, cats in front of the fire, but the<br />

decorations were different. Some paid homage to the service<br />

men, instead of the typical red shiny balls. We took LOTS of<br />

pictures and sent them to Bill. We recorded every moment<br />

leading up to the Christmas holiday so that he was sure to be<br />

with us, at least in spirit. Christmas Day, as usual, that same loving<br />

family adorned our living room, chatting, laughing, and eating<br />

our Christmas meal. And it was wonderful. None of us spoke<br />

about the obvious absence, though it was abundantly clear when<br />

it came time for Bill to read the Christmas story–the story that<br />

HE reads every year. His brother Jeff was just about to read it<br />

for us when the phone rang, and it was Bill. We ALL took turns<br />

talking to him; it was so wonderful to hear his voice! And then<br />

he said, “Please open the box I sent you and pull out the disk in<br />

the envelope; put it in while I am on the phone with you.” What<br />

he had recorded for us was a video of him, in his bunk, reading<br />

the Christmas Story to us, from Iraq, to the sound of Christmas<br />

Music in the background. None of us could speak. The magic of<br />

his call at just the right moment was nothing short of amazing.<br />

I will never forget last Christmas. Although my husband was<br />

not with us physically, he was there in every other way – in the<br />

ways that are most important. He was there in love, the kind<br />

that fills your heart to the brim and bubbles over. This is why last<br />

Christmas is my best Christmas memory.<br />

* * * * *<br />

Victoria Henderson,<br />

Educator and Fine Living Lancaster<br />

Copy Editor<br />

I look at my seventeen-year-old daughter and a sweet sadness<br />

fills me as I remember the little girl who wrote letters to Santa<br />

and who put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the<br />

reindeer. I am taken back to Alyx at seven. She was at the age<br />

where she still wanted to hold onto the belief in Santa, despite<br />

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her friends and older siblings telling her that Santa did not exist.<br />

I too wanted her to hold onto her belief for at least one more<br />

year—to the magic that could never be replaced once lost. I<br />

would like to say that my reading of Yes Virginia, There is a Santa<br />

Claus was what kept her believing for one more year, but instead<br />

it was a trip to Park City and a chance encounter with the man<br />

who played the role of the Park City Santa.<br />

As we stood in a holiday-long line at Arbys, we must have been<br />

discussing that upcoming Christmas and gifts that my daughter<br />

had on her list. Perhaps there was even a discussion of Santa<br />

and her doubts (it was a very long line). I didn’t see Santa until<br />

we were looking for a booth to eat our junior roast beefs and<br />

our curly fries; Alyx saw him too. Park City has always had an<br />

authentic looking Santa; and despite him being on lunch break in<br />

his suspenders at Arbys, he certainly looked like the real thing.<br />

Even Santa needs to eat! I watched my seven-year-old daughter,<br />

with a mixture of hope and doubt in her eyes, hesitantly<br />

approach this man at his table and say, “Hello, Santa.” I held my<br />

breath, knowing that to her this was the final test of her belief.<br />

To my amazement, Park City Santa said, “Hello, Alyx.” And then<br />

asked her to sit down across from him. What followed was a<br />

conversation about her Christmas wishes, as well as a discussion<br />

about Mrs. Claus. I know that Santa must have overheard her<br />

name as we stood in that long line, but she didn’t. My sevenyear-old<br />

daughter walked away from that booth with complete<br />

faith in her eyes and with the knowledge that Santa “was real.”<br />

After all, he knew her name and what she wanted for Christmas.<br />

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If I could have, I would have gone back and thanked this for<br />

giving my daughter the magic of believing for one more year,<br />

but I didn’t want to blow his cover, nor did I want her to see<br />

me talking to him. So the sharing of this Christmas memory is<br />

my way of saying thank you to the Park City Santa of 1996, who<br />

spoke to a little girl on his lunch break at Arbys and who restored<br />

her belief in Santa! I am positive that it is because of him that my<br />

seventeen-year-old daughter still puts out cookies and milk (and<br />

carrots for the reindeer), and it is because of him that every year<br />

I still eat those cookies, leaving crumbs on the plate as evidence<br />

that the spirit of Santa will always live on in our home!<br />

* * * * *<br />

Barb Huber Bidding,<br />

General Manager,<br />

Mercedes-Benz of Lancaster<br />

I grew up in the Huber household with four girls, my mom, and<br />

a boat. My parents decided we would take “My Sixth Girl,” the<br />

boat, to Ft. Lauderdale for Christmas. We were told that was<br />

our gift, and they had palm trees in Florida. No need for a tree.<br />

Christmas morning we woke up and arrived on the back deck<br />

to find a beautiful Christmas tree and presents. The tree and<br />

gifts were hidden on the fly bridge of the boat. We were very<br />

impressed that Santa delivered to boats too!<br />

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* * * * *<br />

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A few years ago, when my children were<br />

at the perfect “Santa” age, on Christmas<br />

evening we set the fresh baked cookies<br />

on the designated Santa plate and went<br />

outside to place a small pile of reindeer<br />

food in the front yard to help them<br />

keep their energy up for the long night.<br />

Fortunately this was a year we had a<br />

white Christmas. When the children were<br />

tucked in bed, I ventured down to our<br />

crawl space and pulled out my old dusty<br />

snow skis, boots, and poles from winters<br />

gone by. With a major straddle split and<br />

poles digging in front of me, I was able<br />

to spike my way across the front yard to<br />

the reindeer food and on to the plowed<br />

driveway for my untracked get-away.<br />

Christmas morning, after presents were<br />

opened and the children started playing<br />

with the boxes, we ventured out to check<br />

the reindeer food. Much to my satisfaction<br />

the little detectives were able to point<br />

out the reindeer and sleigh tracks to their<br />

surprised parents. Later in the day when<br />

our family came to visit, the kids were<br />

anxious to show their tracking evidence.<br />

The view was so convincing even my<br />

thirty-year-old brother-in-law became<br />

a re-believer! <strong>FLL</strong>


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Your Investment Return<br />

Abstract: Putting your investments<br />

into the right mix of assets can be<br />

the most important factor in how well<br />

they perform.<br />

Some investors think the key to success<br />

is in picking the “right” investment. They<br />

follow the trends and put everything into<br />

the hottest category. And then they’re<br />

surprised when that category cools off.<br />

In fact, picking the right investment or<br />

the right time to buy or sell is far less<br />

important than you may think. Studies<br />

have found that approximately 90% of<br />

the variability of investment return across<br />

time is explained by asset allocation—that<br />

is, the distribution of dollars among asset<br />

classes, such as stocks, bonds, and<br />

cash equivalents.<br />

Asset allocation—sometimes referred<br />

to as diversification—simply means<br />

determining what percentage of your<br />

portfolio will be in stocks, bonds and<br />

money markets, and within each of those<br />

groups, which particular types of stocks<br />

and bonds. For example, a portfolio may<br />

be 50% invested in stocks, and within that<br />

group, some may be in stocks of large<br />

companies, some may be stocks of small<br />

companies, and some may be in stocks of<br />

non-U.S. based companies.<br />

The reason for asset allocation is that<br />

different investments can behave<br />

differently under the same conditions;<br />

for example, small company stocks may<br />

rise in value while large company stocks<br />

decline. Stocks and bonds often perform<br />

in different ways, so investing in a mix of<br />

stock and bond funds can improve the<br />

performance of your overall portfolio,<br />

cushioning your savings against price<br />

swings in one asset class.<br />

In terms of return, a diversified portfolio<br />

containing both stocks and bonds will<br />

generally perform better than either an<br />

all-stock or all-bond portfolio over a full<br />

market cycle. During the bull market<br />

of 1995-1999, a diversified portfolio<br />

achieved higher returns than an all-bond<br />

portfolio. During the bear market of<br />

1999-2002, the diversified portfolio<br />

outperformed the all-stock portfolio. Of<br />

course, diversification does not eliminate<br />

risk, and past performance is no guarantee<br />

of future results.<br />

Your Particular Mix is a<br />

Personal Decision<br />

A diversified portfolio, typically includes<br />

at least three categories of investments:<br />

stocks, bonds and money market<br />

investments. How much should you<br />

allocate to each category? Your financial<br />

professional can help guide you, based on:<br />

• Your investment goals. If you’re<br />

investing with the hope of generating<br />

big returns, and you have the tolerance<br />

for the increased risk involved, you<br />

might consider placing greater emphasis<br />

on higher-risk growth-oriented<br />

investments, such as stocks.<br />

• Your time horizon. If you have many<br />

years until you’ll need the money, you<br />

can often afford the risks associated with<br />

growth-oriented investments, because<br />

you have time to help recoup any<br />

potential losses. Money that you’ll need<br />

soon should generally be in lower risk<br />

investments, such as bonds or money<br />

market funds.<br />

By Rich Friedman<br />

• Your tolerance for risk. Can you handle<br />

a drop in the value of your investments<br />

without pulling out in a panic? Don’t rely<br />

on volatile investments if you can’t stay<br />

the course.<br />

• Your financial situation. Do you have<br />

other resources, or are you low<br />

on funds and near the end of your<br />

working career? This, too, will help<br />

you determine how much risk you can<br />

afford to take.<br />

Asset allocation can help you manage<br />

risk and potentially increase your returns.<br />

However, it does not guarantee a profit or<br />

protect against loss. For more information,<br />

contact your financial professional.<br />

AXA Advisors, LLC does not provide<br />

legal or tax advice. Please consult your<br />

tax or legal advisor regarding your<br />

individual situation. <strong>FLL</strong><br />

Rich Friedman offers securities through AXA<br />

Advisors, LLC (member NASD, SIPC) 1755<br />

Oregon Pike Lancaster PA, 17601 and offers<br />

annuity and insurance products through an<br />

insurance brokerage affiliate, AXA Network,<br />

LLC and its subsidiaries.


Listen<br />

Peter White, Rick Braun & Mindi Abair<br />

– Peter White Christmas<br />

Higashi Concert Series Finale<br />

By Paul Scott<br />

Most of my colleagues who know me<br />

well, know that I like to work ahead.<br />

I’ve always believed that if you can stay<br />

a week ahead in planning, implementing<br />

and scheduling your work, it’s a wonderful<br />

stress reliever and always leaves you<br />

that security ‘bumper’ to take care of the<br />

rest of the unplanned emergencies and<br />

“extras” that always seem to come along<br />

and fill up that extra time.<br />

Well, here I go breaking my own rule. It’s<br />

24 hours ‘till deadline for this edition, and<br />

I’m busily writing my article. But with<br />

good reason!<br />

The onslaught of new Smooth Jazz<br />

Holiday albums is coming across my desk<br />

to review!<br />

Yes, the holiday season is literally just<br />

around the corner, and I thought I’d<br />

review a “must have” album for your<br />

collection – Peter White Christmas with<br />

Peter White (guitar), Rick Braun (trumpet<br />

& vocals) and Mindi Abair (sax & vocals).<br />

Year after year, Peter, Rick & Mindi tour<br />

the country together putting on one of the<br />

most spectacular holiday shows, playing<br />

to sold-out audiences everywhere, and<br />

now they have finally put all their holiday<br />

favorites on a Peter White Christmas for us<br />

to take home!<br />

There are traditional standards arranged<br />

by each particular artist with their own<br />

unique twists, as well as originals included<br />

on this twelve-song CD. Most listeners are<br />

also pleasantly surprised to hear that Rick<br />

& Mindi have wonderful singing voices and<br />

are featured in a number of songs.<br />

The album opens up with a beautiful<br />

arrangement of their live opener “Little<br />

Drummer Boy.” Rick Braun begins with<br />

an exquisite opening on trumpet, then<br />

hands it over to Peter White on guitar as<br />

each verse continues to soar and increase<br />

in a jazzy tempo until Mindi Abair takes<br />

over with a sax solo that just brings it<br />

back home to the opening arrangement,<br />

sprinkled with other holiday song themes<br />

until its end. This sound literally sets the<br />

tone for this holiday album of favorites<br />

by these wonderfully talented artists,<br />

plus surprisingly wonderful vocals from<br />

Mindi Abair & Rick Braun too! Mindi’s<br />

vocals are again featured on the next<br />

number, a swingin’, bluesy original “I<br />

Can’t Wait for Chistmas.” Then, Peter<br />

White puts his salsa style of playing to his<br />

unique arrangement of “Greensleeves”<br />

followed by Rick singing “Have Yourself<br />

A Merry Little Christmas” with a jazzy<br />

twist of Peter’s beautiful acoustic guitar<br />

accompanying. Followed by a beautifully<br />

sung version of Joni Mitchells’ “River”<br />

by Mindi, Rick joins her on trumpet for<br />

his original “Jingle Jangle Blues.” One of<br />

the highlights of a Peter White Christmas<br />

Richard Friedman, ChFC, CLU<br />

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Lancaster, PA 17601<br />

Tel. (717) 569-6899<br />

Fax (717) 569-0972<br />

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www.richard.friedman.myaxa-advisors.com<br />

www.AXAonline.com<br />

AXA Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC),1290 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10104 GE-37482(a) (11/06)<br />

is the gorgeous arrangement of “Silent<br />

Night” by Peter White, with special guest<br />

vocalist Jeffrey Osbourne. Mindi then<br />

features another beautiful vocal original<br />

entitled “The Best Part of Christmas.”<br />

When listening to this holiday number, it<br />

just takes you way. Just close your eyes,<br />

and you can imagine you’re sitting beside<br />

a roaring fire while snow gently falls just<br />

outside the window. The rest of the<br />

holiday album wraps up with beautiful<br />

traditionals including “Happy Christmas,”<br />

“O Holy Night,” and “White Christmas.”<br />

This holiday album is a “must have”<br />

for your collection and brings their live<br />

Christmas show right into your living<br />

room. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful<br />

collection of arrangements of holiday<br />

classics and look forward to playing it over<br />

and over in our house for the holidays!<br />

“The Little Drummer Boy,” “The<br />

Christmas Song,” “I Can’t Wait for<br />

Christmas,” “Greensleeves” (What<br />

Child Is This?), “Have Yourself A Merry<br />

Little Christmas,” “River,” “Jingle Jangle<br />

Blues,” “Silent Night,” “The Best Part<br />

Of Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Coming<br />

To Town/Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,”<br />

“Happy Christmas/O Holy Night,”<br />

“White Christmas.”<br />

If you want a chance to catch the Peter<br />

White Christmas show live, they’ll be<br />

performing the final concert in the Higashi<br />

Pearls & Fine Jewelry “Jazz in the City”<br />

show at the Sunoco Performance Theater<br />

at Whitaker Center, Thursday, November<br />

29th at 7:30pm. For tickets, go to www.<br />

whitakercenter.org or to charge by phone,<br />

call (717) 214-ARTS. <strong>FLL</strong><br />

Paul Scott is the Program & Music Director<br />

of Smooth Jazz 92.7 and hosts the morning<br />

show weekdays from 6-10am. Paul is also an<br />

avid musician (piano & voice) and also teaches<br />

privately. To contact Paul, simply email him at<br />

pscott@hallradio.com<br />

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