pamfritz's blog

Bird-In-Hand Magic Lantern Shows - The Amish Experience

During the 19th century, Magic Lanterns were the most popular form of entertainment in America. A Magic Lantern holds a hand-painted glass lens that is projected onto a screen. Usually, the paintings are of widely recognized stories. The "Showman", who operates the lantern would also tell the story and interact with the audience. The first lanterns were lit with candles. Then, limelight became popular. Limelight is created when limestone is heated in burning gas until it becomes incandescent. In the early 20th century, lanterns were switched to electricity. The showman traveled the country with their magic lanterns and as many as 30,000 showmen performed 75,000 shows across the country in the year 1895.

At Plain and Fancy Theater, located on Route 340 at Plain and Fancy Farm in Bird in Hand, PA, a three-tiered restored 1890 Magic Lantern can be found. For the first time in over 130 years, America has a permanent theater offering Magic Lantern Shows. Now through New Year's Eve, A Christmas Journey-A Victorian Christmas show will be playing. The show includes the tale of the Christmas Carol, carol singing and the telling of the Night Before Christmas. In 2016, there will be a Bible Stories show and a Patriotic show. For more information and tickets, check with the Plain and Fancy Farm Amish Experience @ http://amishexperience.com/magic-lantern-shows/.

Enjoy Dinner and a Broadway Show at the Dutch Apple

The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre is a year-round dining and entertainment venue. Decorated in beautiful rich colors, the 370-seat theatre offers unobstructed views of the stage. Each show performed is a top-quality production attracting performers from around the country who have performed on national tours and on Broadway. Many of the directors, designers and choreographers are also nationally recognized for creating stunning performances. A live orchestra adds a special touch to the evening.

Prior to the show, enjoy a delicious hot buffet that includes a salad bar, several types of meat, vegetables, pasta and potato dishes and a variety of desserts including shoofly pie and Turkey Hill ice cream. The choices change with each show.

Shows for this Fall and upcoming holiday season include:

Visit the website for more information about the shows and to purchase tickets.

Paddle the Mighty Susquehanna River

As summer ends and the leaves begin to change in color, September is always a nice month for a quiet and peaceful paddle along the Susquehanna River. Just across the river, you’ll find Shank’s Mare Outfitters in Wrightsville. You can rent a canoe or kayak from their full fleet of touring, fishing and whitewater kayaks in addition to the safe and stable sit-on-top kayaks for beginners to paddle the river on their own. Or participate in the Native American Rock Art Paddle Tour (the last one of the season) on September 19, 2015. One of the most unique sites on the Lower Susquehanna are the rocks that contain Native American Art. Learn the story of the Native Americans that populated the river hundreds of years ago as told by expert Paul Nevin. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the rocks, enjoy a picnic lunch and do some very scenic paddling. Tour departs at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with an experienced guide. Already have your own canoe or kayak; Shank’s Mere can assist you in navigating the river with special tips and maps.

A Cool 52 degrees Awaits You at indian Echo Caverns!

Take a break from the summer heat with a tour of Indian Echo Caverns where the temperature is a consistent 52 degrees year-round. This 440 million years old limestone cave is an amazing natural wonder. Guided tours are offered that last about 45 minutes and showcase the natural underground beauty of the passageways, rooms and its array of geological formations. View stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and crystal clear lakes that sparkle in a show of colors. Your professional interpretive guide will explain the geology and history of the cavern.

As you enter the cavern, you’ll walk on the same paths as the early explorers and Susquehannock Indians who inhabited the area over 300 years ago. After the tour, spend time exploring the gift shop that offers a variety of local, regional and national gift selections.

Indian Echo Caverns is located three miles west of Hershey along US Route 322 and 30 minutes from our Bed & Breakfast. It is open every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Tour a local Workshop that makes Handcrafted Furniture

Looking for furniture that is still made the old-fashion way? At George’s Furniture, each piece is handmade by master craftsmen, signed and dated. These beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture are carved from solid cherry, oak, maple or walnut with a variety of stain options. Only the finest quality products are used to craft each piece of furniture. You won’t find any veneers, particle board or softwoods. You’ll find a wide variety of designs including country, mission, shaker, or straight-line traditional.

You can watch the craftsmen making furniture at their store located at 9 Reichs Church Road in Marietta about 10 minutes from our Bed & Breakfast. Each piece is handcrafted, no factory assembly line. Through every stage of the process from selecting the lumber to the final inspection, a high level of commitment and detail goes into each piece. Handcrafted furniture is a seasoned skill to produce superior quality. The furniture in our dining room and the Blakemore room is solid cherry and made by George’s.

Free tours of the workshop and showroom are offered Monday through Friday. It can be arranged for you to watch your own furniture being made. George’s Furniture is a second-generation family-owned business. You won’t find their furniture at your local furniture store or at any furniture store.

The furniture is amazing and well worth a visit.

Explore York - Factory Tour Capital of the World!

There are lots of factory tours in York City and the surrounding area. Experience true American craftsmanship. York County offers everything from a working dairy farm to crafting violins and everything in between. One of the best factory tours is the 45-minute real-life tour at the Harley Davidson Motor Company. Visit the Factory Tour Capital of the World website for a complete list of factory tours. Some of my favorites are:

York City Pretzel Company is York’s first craft pretzel bakery. Learn the history of the pretzel and see their on-site baker demonstrate the rolling and twisting techniques. Tours are by appointment. Location: 39 W. Market Street, York, 717-467-3556.

Sunrise Soap Company offers natural body care products including soaps, shampoos, butter, scrubs, lotions and lip balm in their open-air kitchen. All soaps are made in small batches and hand-cut and hand-wrapped. A mini-tour is available for walk-ins or you can call and schedule a longer tour. Location: 29 N. Beaver Street, York, 717-843-SOAP.

Perrydell Farms is a working family-owned dairy farm. See how cows are milked and fed, and how milk is bottled on a free self-guided tour. After the tour, enjoy a hand-dipped ice cream cone. Location: 90 Indian Rock Dam Road, York, 717-741-3485.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company offers a behind-the-scenes tour to watch the making of a legend. The tour begins with a short video and then continues onto the factory floor. You’ll see the manufacturing of key components for the Softail, CVO & Trike motorcycles. The tour is free and is available Monday thru Friday and on select Saturdays from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm (June 20, July 18 & August 15). Location: 1425 Eden Road, York, 717-852-6590.

Bluett Bros. Violins demonstrates the process of how a violin is crafted, the wood selected, carving and tap toning to the finished product. Location: 122 Hill Street, York, 717-854-9064.

Treat Yourself to the Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest!

Free admission! Free Parking! Free wine sampling!

It doesn’t get any better than that. Experience the annual FlavorFest this May 23-24, 2015 at the Mount Hope Estate & Winery in Manheim from 11am to 5pm. Complimentary wine samples, of popular vintages, will be poured by over 20 wineries. In addition to the wine tasting, this festival is a diverse culinary experience. Enjoy cooking demos with regional chefs and culinary workshops. At Flavorfest, you’ll find the finest in Pennsylvania artisan crafts. It is a weekend of fun entertainment, delicious food and excellent wines.

You're Invited to a Herb & Garden Faire

At the May 8 & 9 Herb & Garden Faire, you’ll find heirlooms, natives and other hard-to-find varieties. Over 80 vendors showcase plants, herbal skin products, garden art, and jewelry. Held annually at the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, visitors can listen to one of many informative speakers, tour the gardens or get something to eat from a variety of food vendors.

The Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, located in Lancaster, is a living history village and farm that tells the story of the Pennsylvania German rural community. Offering a diverse collection of artifacts, visitors can experience farm life in Lancaster County during the 18^th and 19^th century. View the schedule of special events held throughout the year.

Experience What We "Drop or Raise" in South Central Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has the most things dropped or raised in the country on New Year's Eve. This year ring in the New Year by joining the festivities at one of our local communities. All within close proximity to the B.F. Hiestand House Bed and Breakfast, you'll find unique items raised or dropped that are special to that community. The festivities include entertainment, fireworks, food, and more.

Hallam is 10 minutes. Festivities begin at 7 pm at the corner of Friendship & Forney Avenue's. A replica of the Haines Shoe House is dropped at midnight.

East Petersburg is 20 minutes. Festivities begin at 10 pm On the Square with ice sculpting, music and a large Haydn's Jug is dropped at midnight.

Lancaster is 20 minutes. Festivities begin at 10 pm in the 100 block of N. Queen Street. Free concert by Swift Techniques and a red rose is lowered at midnight along with fireworks.

York is 20 minutes. Festivities begin at 10 pm on Continental Square. A white rose is dropped at midnight followed by a fireworks display.

Hershey is 30 minutes. Festivities begin at 9 pm on the Square. Free entertainment by The Swaines, All Jacked Up and Alex & Sierra (season 3 winners of the X Factor USA). A Hershey Kiss is raised at the Historic Press Building at midnight.

May your New Year be blessed with peace, love and joy!

Enjoy a Scrumptious Meal & A Christmas Show

This holiday season; rejoice in the spirit of the season at one of our many local dinner theatres. All offer quality performances with top-notch professional actors and serve a delicious meal prior to the show. Each theatre offers a unique dinner theatre experience and is a fun place to enjoy with family and friends.

The Rainbow Dinner Theatre, located in Paradise, is an all-comedy dinner theatre offering wonderful Broadway comedy and an all-you-can-eat buffet. Visit the website for dates and times. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 800-292-4301.

The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, located in Lancaster, brings traditional classics to the stage. Enjoy an All-American buffet. Visit the website for dates and times. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 717-898-1900.

The Theatre in the Mansion at Mount Hope Estate & Winery, located in Manheim, offers a special twist on the Dickens’ classics and a unique dining experience at the Anchor & Mermaid Tavern. Visit the website for dates and times. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Virtual Box Office or in the Mount Hope Estate Wine Shop. Performances sell out quickly so it is advised to buy tickets in advance.

Bring the whole family and create a new holiday tradition!