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WHAT TO<br />
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THIS YEAR!<br />
PLUS:<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
EVER!
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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 />
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to be one of Lancaster’s favorite things! Welcome, and thanks for spending<br />
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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 />
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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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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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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 />
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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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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 />
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mashed gold potatoes served as the<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 />
Anonymous<br />
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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hh g u health th ro health th ro Asset Allocation Can Make<br />
a Big Difference in<br />
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 />
Wharton Certificate in Retirement Planning<br />
1755 Oregon Pike<br />
Lancaster, PA 17601<br />
Tel. (717) 569-6899<br />
Fax (717) 569-0972<br />
richard.friedman@axa-advisors.com<br />
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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Happy Holidays!<br />
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Office: (717) 569-2222<br />
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