Strasburg Railroad CapLive Long's Park Summer Concert Series
York Central Market Gnome Countryside
Strasburg Railroad
It’s all about trains when you pull into Strasburg Railroad. Generations of families have enjoyed the short train ride through the bucolic Amish countryside. The nearby Choo Choo Barn–Traintown U.S.A.® features a 1,700-square-foot train display with
over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains. Trust us, it is unlike anything you’ve ever seen! There’s also Thomas’ Track Side Station and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania for even more fun and exploration. You can even stay at the Red Caboose Motel and sleep in a real caboose. Thomas fans: Mark your calendars for the Day Out With Thomas events September 17-25.
Strasburg Railroad // 301 Gap Rd, Ronks // 717-687-7522 // www.strasburgrailroad.com
CapLive
Another sign of the “freshYork” movement, CapLive at the Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center is a successful symbol of the next generation of leaders and concertgoers. As artistic director
Sean Kenney explains, “When WXPN came to Central PA, we wanted to bring those artists in.” He, real estate manager Bill Swartz and York Revolution president Eric Menzer got together and came up with a plan. Now, shows sell at over 450 people. Crowds from D.C., Philly, New Jersey, Baltimore and all over the Susquehanna Valley flock to see their favorite up-and-coming artists. CapLive has given folks a chance to see bands like The Carolina Chocolate Drops—before they won a Grammy. “When Dawes played here last July, it was their biggest headlining act,” says Kenney. The same went for Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. Once these bands make it big, he explains, it’s hard for a local venue to afford to have them perform. That, along with the beautifully restored theatre, is why CapLive has become a gem to the region’s entertainment scene.
CapLive // 50 N George St, York // 717-846-1111 // www.caplivemusic.com
Long’s Park Summer Concert Series
Summers in Lancaster just wouldn’t be the same without the Long’s Park Summer Music Series. When dusk falls and the sticky air cools, summer Sunday evenings are spent with picnics in the park listening to the sounds of anything from blues and jazz to bluegrass and country. Sunday, July 3, the tradition continues with the 257th Army Band, Charlie Smithgall’s cannon brigade and fireworks. The music series is made possible by the Long’s Park Art and Craft Festival each Labor Day weekend. Visit LongsPark.org for the full concert lineup each Sunday this summer.
Long’s Park Summer Concert Series // 1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster // 717-735-4928 // www.longspark.org/music.html
York Central Market
At the hub of York City’s revitalization, the York Central Market House is exemplary of the fresh attitude and emerging growth. In part, it’s due to some young blood on the board and a revamped market master position. Casi Babinchak serves as the new chief operating officer and clearly loves her job. “On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, I feel like a party hostess.” In the past year alone about 12 new stands have been added, including the market’s very own microbrewery, cupcakery and performance kitchen.
Mudhook Brewing Company, while located within the market, also has its own entrance and exit on Cherry Lane with outdoor seating as well. Just across from one of the entry points to the York Rail Trail, the brewery is primed to be a must-see stop in York. “We wanted to play a big part in anchoring the Central Market House as one of the premier places to go in downtown York. And what do you know, a ‘mudhook’ is another name for an anchor,” says Kate Wheeler, who is the marketing arm behind the family business. Her husband, Tim, is the brewer. His beer list includes Live Bait Amber Ale, Wooly Bugger Honey Brown, Deep Sea Angler Stout, Redeye Irish Red and Panfish Pale Ale. The casual, rustic décor of mix-matched, farm-style tables and chairs along with wide planks and exposed brick lends a casual ambience to an appropriate menu of gourmet hot dogs, burgers—even stout cupcakes from Just Cupcakes, the adjoining market stand.
Just Cupcakes is a mother-daughter dream come true. Chris Martin says her daughter Sarah Covaleski came to her with the idea two years ago, “And I’ve always enjoyed baking.” The rest is history. They’re opening a storefront this fall in downtown York. “The market is an incubator for local business,” points out Babinchak, who adds that they support standholders opening brick and mortar businesses. A few favorite flavors from Just Cupcakes include orange creamsicle and canoli cupcakes and “chocolate peanut butter is a favorite of the area,” says Martin. Their “perfect Hostess” is a new, glamorous take on the classic snack cake.
Some of the other new businesses you’ll find inside the York Central Market House include YorKitchen, a Rojahn custom cabinetry performance kitchen that start-up companies, classes and businesses can rent. “This lowers the overhead costs and barriers of entry into business,” explains project manager Aeman Bashir.
Roburritos recently moved in, taco truck and all, to offer their long-time York favorite burritos at market. The seating area just in front of their truck stand is the place to see and be seen on market days, reminiscent of a high school lunch room for business folk, young hipsters and families. From there, you might hear the sassy staff of Roburritos doing something crazy like calling out names of celebrities and politicians (replacing actual names of customers). It’s more than lunch; it’s an experience.
On the food front there’s M&M Farms Highland grass fed beef, Nama sushi bar and the School of Culinary Arts’ student-run bake shop with its cute courtyard seating. Gina Mekky Baltzley, owner of Look at the Flowers, is back at market with her 20-year floral business Yorkers have adored for ages. Pheasant Run Antiques and Take 5 Expresso Bar are just a couple of other new additions.
The market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 6am-2pm. Free parking is available Saturdays, 6am-3pm.
York Central Market // 34 W Philadelphia St, York // 717-848-2243 // www.centralmarketyork.com
Gnome Countryside
For 32 years, “No names, all names, Richard Humphreys,” as one friend calls him, or “Mr. Rich” as visitors know him, has been taking the imaginations of children (and accompanying adults) on a magical tour through Southern Lancaster County woodlands—looking for gnomes, what else?
This former art teacher’s fascination with gnomes began after spending time in Denmark where the elder people’s beliefs in gnomes captivated him. His mother, he says, used to take him for lots of walks in the woods, and “I want children to leave here loving the forest environment.”
The tour is so much more; it begins with songs and stories, all charismatically led by the warmest hearted man you’ll ever meet in lederhosen. “A big part of this experience is visualizing,” he adds. Humphreys contends that because of video games and TV, children are losing the ability to do this. “Imagination is a divine gift given to us.”
Along the walk, he talks of plants and flowers like the bluebells that ring the door of gnome homes, which have tablecloths of Queen Anne’s lace. He teaches balance and impermanence with rock stacking exercises at “Gnome Henge,” adding that combining actions and words equals a 90 percent retention rate of information in children.
One thing is certain: Children will not forget the one-of-a-kind authentic experience here. In fact, our editor remembers his school trip here as a young boy, as many students throughout the region probably do. Summer is a perfect time to cool off in the woods, hunt for gnomes, and learn a thing or two about our region’s woodlands. (As a side note, Mr. Rich wanted us to mention that anyone with diabetes always gets free admission; he has lived with type-one diabetes for 54 years.)
According to Mr. Rich, the best age to visit Gnome Countryside is from 5 to 11, but “the beauty is, it works for every age, even older people.”
Gnome Countryside
63 Bridle Path Rd, Kirkwood // 717-786-4928 // www.gnomecountryside.com