Joyce Herr: Lancaster County & Beyond

I wish.......

Digging out again in Lancaster County PA and

stopped to read the thermometer.

Since last Thursday's fire that destroyed the vintage store Zap & Co. on N. Queen Street, there has been an outpouring of support for owner Steve Murray who is suffering from sever burns and in critical condition at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

There are 2 Facebook page dedicated to helping Steve & his store Zap & Company recover.

Help Save Zap & Co. is encouraging us to root through our closets for old articles of clothing, jewelry, & fixtures to donate for the future Zap & Co. store which Steve will most likely want to re-open as soon as he can. There is no central storage place established yet - but watch the FB posts for more information.

Steve Murray and Zap & Company Foundation established by Steve's daughter Katherine Murray is currently seeking warehouse space for the donated items that are already being received.

I know Lancaster County is a caring community and will support these efforts.

People are born and die every day but when young people die, it touches all of us with an extraordinary amount of sympathy and concern.

We had 4 young men die last Sunday in a terrible auto accident that has touched off a week of mourning in Lancaster County. Friends, classmates, & family gathered throughout the week at the accident scene, school, and churches to share and express their grief for those lost.

All were football players for Manheim Central High School in Lancaster County.

All were 16 years and younger.

Nicolas Bryson, 10th grade, 15 years old

John Griffith, 11th grade, 16 years old

Cody Hollinger, 10th grade, 16 years old

DeVaughn Lee, 9th grade, 15 years old

Even if we didn't know these teenagers, their deaths touched us in a way that we too mourned the loss of these young, promising men. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and the community where these men lived.

Now, I just read tonight about a young brother & sister in Missouri who fell through an icy pond while sledding. So next week another community mourns the loss of young lives.

Time sometimes seems to stand still when tragedies occur. But life does go on. And with the help of family, friends and faith, those who mourn will be comforted.

"So now faith, hope & love remain but the greatest of these is love " I Corinthians 13:13

Looking for a tasty treat in Lititz, PA? Try the Tomato Pie Cafe.

After I was showed houses today in the Lititz area with a buyer, I looked for a place to grab a cup of soup or lite snack as I often do.

I stopped at the Tomato Pie Café at 23 N Broad street across from Lititz Springs Park. It's located at the former Glassmyer's restaurant and reminds you of a little whistle-stop cafe.

After viewing the menu of salads and sandwiches, I decided to sample their specialty - The Tomato Pie. It was stuffed with tomatoes on a light fluffy pastry crust with a smattering of cheese and served with a small salad. Delicious and highly recommended if you like tomatoes of course.

A variety of smoothies, teas, and coffees are also available. The baked goods are from the Lititz Family Cupboard. Also open for breakfast and dinner.

There are 2 dining rooms to choose from and both were full at 12:45pm.The front dining room has a diner-like feel and the tables in the back are more comfortable and private.

The soda fountain is also available with half a dozen stools for the casual diner. A pink-iced cake in a glass cover was sitting on the counter top the right of the soda fountain tempting everyone along with a chocolate cake beside it. Maybe dessert next time!

So for good food, coffee & teas, stop by the Tomato Pie Cafe.

 The 2011 Pennsylvania Farm Show opened today in Harrisburg and will continue until next Saturday January 15th. 

This is the 95th year for the Farm show which includes a whole realm of activities and exhibits promoting PA agricultural efforts.  The Schedule includes a rodeo, square dancing, pony pulling, horse pulling, grand champion awards, cow milking contest and Sheep to Shawl contest. And don't forget to visit the food court offering PA made food items - milk shakes and baked potatoes.. yum! 20 Wineries will also be featured throughout the week long show.

Every year a butter sculpture greets visitors (close to half a million!) to the show and a lot of guessing goes on before hand as to what it will look like.
Well, this year's Butter sculpture weighing nearly 1,000 pounds was sculpted by Jim Victor from Conshohocken who began his work in December. The sculpture depicts a dairy farmer providing milk to children playing on a jungle gym and playing football. So keep fit and eat well in PA in 2011.

So get out there and enjoy the 95th PA Farm Show - less than an hour's drive from Lancaster.