Joyce Herr: Lancaster County & Beyond

I played golf today and though it hadn't started snowing yet, it was around 33 degrees or so.

It really wasn't too bad except for the last 4 holes when the wind picked up. Wearing lots of layers and a brisk pace kept me warm. 10 of us played today and it was fun to watch lousy tee shots turn into amazing pars ... and visa versa - nice tee shots but approach shots took an awkward bounce into the rough, trees or bunker.

On one par 190 yard par 3 my tee shot was aimed at the hole ... however it landed short of the green and took a big hop over the green onto the frozen pond. I wasn't sure if I could hit from the pond but since bigger men hit from another pond earlier and my friends were watching and coaching me to go ahead and hit from the pond, I did. I trepidly stepped across the ice and took a swing and my ball landed about 15 feet above the hole which wasn't too bad for an ice shot. Made a bogey but it was fun and I may go back later this week to skate on the pond as it seemed to be fairly smooth.

It did feel good to get out and enjoy the fresh air.

If you are looking for homes near golf course in Lancaster County, I'll be glad to help you. We have several comunities and plenty of homes within just a few miles of a golf course.

Hole 17 - 2 Days 'til Christmas.

When I paid my bill today for some giftwrap and bows, the tally was $ 3.16. I thought, how appropriate for this time of year. For Christians, John 3:16 is a very familiar Bible verse "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Even if you aren't a Christian and don't believe in Jesus Christ, you can still enjoy the spirit that Christmas brings - peace, hope, love, and giving of ourselves to help our fellow men & women along the way.

 

 

With the reason for the season in mind, there are a myriad of church services tomorrow December 24th in Lancaster County that would welcome members of the community to join them. Music  will be an important part of these services, too. To name just a few songs you may hear- Hark the Herald Angels Sing, We Three Kings, Away in a Manger and Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht (German for Silent Night, Holy Night. )

 

 

 

I can't name all of the services but here are a few that I know of:

 

 

• Lititz Moravian Church 8 Church Square, Lititz has two Christmas Eve Services – at 5 pm and 7:30 pm.
• Ephrata First United Methodist, 68 North Church Street, Ephrata, has 3 services 6pm, 8pm & 10pm
• Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, 996 East High Street, Elizabethtown,7pm & 11pm
• Little Britain Presbyterian Church, 256 Little Britain Church Road, Peach Bottom,7:30 pm
• Highland Presbyterian, off of Oregon Pike and at 500 East Roseville Road, 5pm, 8pm & 11pm
• First United Methodist Church at 29 East Walnut Street, Lancaster, 4pm, 7pm, 9pm & 11pm
• St Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 S Prince Street, Lancaster, 5pm, 7pm & Midnight
• St Joseph’s Catholic Church , 440 St. Joseph Church, Lancaster, 5pm, 8pm, 11:30 pm & Midnight
• Colemanville United Methodist Church, 210 Colemanville Church Road, Conestoga. 6pm, 7:30 pm, 10p
• Grace United Methodist Church, 163 W Frederick Street, Millersville. 4pm, 5:15pm, 7:15p, 9pm
• Brightside Baptist Church, 515 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster. 6:30pm

 

Make custom Glitter Graphics

 

Enjoy this season and all it has to offer. And extend a hand to those in need - you will be glad you did.

Hole # 16: 3 Days 'Til Christmas.

Only 3 days until Christmas and there is still time to enjoy the lights and decorations.

Most of youl kow about the Christmas Light Show at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square which runs through January 9th.

And most of us are familiar with Christmas Candy Lane at Hershey Park which Is open through December 31st and the Hershey Sweet Lights drive-through Light display which runs through January 1st.

There is another hidden gem not far from Lancaster County’s borders in Bernville, PA.

Koziar’s Christmas Village located just northwest of Reading, this

The creator of this village, William Koziar, started in 1948 by decorating his home and property and the rest is history. It is open through New Year’s Day.

Just 3 more of my favorite things for 3 more days until Christmas.

Hole# 14 - 5 days to Christmas!

Mother Nature has given us an early Christmas present this year with a lunar eclipse just in time for Christmas.

The year's only total lunar eclipse will occur early Tuesday morning December 21st in the Lancaster County area. Tonight's weather forecast is clear so we should be able to view the total eclipse sometime between 2:41 am to 3:41 am.

Lunar (& sun) eclipses can only occur when the Sun, Moon & the Earth are aligned.

Normally the sun illuminates the moon. But early tomorrow morning, the full moon will pass through the Earth's shadow blocking the sun's light.

This lunar eclipse is even more special as it is the first lunar eclipse to occur during the Winter Solstice since 1378!

The eclipse will begin around 1:15 am when the moon enters the Earth's outer shadow. It will be more noticeable when the moon enters the earth's inner shadow around 1:33 am.

The total eclipse (when the entire moon is dimmed by the earth's shadow ) will being around 2:41 am and last approximately 70 minutes. The moon will slowly begin glowing orange around 3:17 am when the moon plunges into the dark center of the earth's shadow.

The last hint of earth's shadow will occur around 5:01 a.m. ET.

Here are some times to see the various stages of the eclipse:

• Penumbra first seen? 12:55 am
• Partial eclipse begins 1:33 am
• Total eclipse begins 2:41 am
• Mid-eclipse 3:17 am
• Total eclipse ends 3:53 am
• Partial eclipse ends 5:01 am
• Penumbra last seen? 5:35 am

Here are some photography tips for shooting the eclipse for those who are interested.

So enjoy the show Lancaster County!

Hole #13, only 5 more days before Christmas!

If you haven't hit golf balls for a while and you're missing the feel of swing the clubs, why not check out the indoor driving ranges in the Lancaste County area? I know of two and if there are others, please let me know so I can advise my golfing friends.

Overlook Golf Course has a heated indoor facility located under the Barn's banquet hall. There are 3 bays to hit from so bring a friend and swing away. Overlook's address is 2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster but it will be easier to access the indorr driving range if you enter from the Fruitville Pike entrance directly across from Granite Run.

Foxchase Golf Club also has an ie whi I think just opened last year. There are portable heaters to keep your toes warm as you hit into the driving range.

Foxchase is located in Stevens, PA at 300 Stevens Road.

You may want to hit some balls in the midst of all the Christmas hustle and bustle to let off some steam and work on your game for the sprng weather that is only a few months away.

For more information on Home Sales in the Overlook and Foxchase areas, please give me a call.