Sight & Sound’s Premiere of Joseph

March 8, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

What an amazing night. I had the honor of being invited to Friday night’s premiere of Joseph, the newest show at Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre. This was a black tie affair, and the first black tie affair that I have ever attended (aside from maybe prom in high school… if that counts). Unfortunately, my husband had to work late and couldn’t attend with me, so I took my mother-in-law instead. We both got all dolled up and then headed out for the evening.

The moment we stepped in the door, we saw what I thought was a statue of Pharaoh, but actually turned out to be a cake, made by Food Network’s Ace of Cakes! It was really cool – and I really didn’t know that it was a cake until someone told me. We put our jackets down on two seats to save them, as it was general seating, and then headed back out to the lobby for some food.

We went back to our seats, and the show started with two speeches – one from the owners, and one from one of the men who co-wrote the show Joseph. I learned that they have been working on this show for the past three years, and now it’s finally happening – and I got to be a part of the premiere!

The lights dimmed, and the show started. The sets at Sight & Sound never cease to amaze me – and the music & costumes were wonderful. My favorite part was in Joseph’s dream, where he sees the sun, the moon, and 11 stars – they have him fly over the audience! My mother-in-law was crying by the end of the show, she loved it so much.

You definitely don’t want to miss this new, long-anticipated show at Sight & Sound.

Leave a Comment | Category: Things to Do, theatre | Permalink

Tags: Lancaster County, Millennium Theater, Sight & Sound, Theater

Nana’s Naughty Knickers at Rainbow Dinner Theatre

March 3, 2010 | Posted by: Amelia

Nana's-Naughty-Knickers-small I think the last time I’ve been to a show was back in high school. Sad, I know, but when I got the opportunity to go see Nana’s Naughty Knickers at the Rainbow Dinner Theatre, I was excited! I was even more excited when I heard that the Rainbow Dinner Theatre is known for their comedic productions. I don’t know about you, but I love to laugh! It didn’t take much for me to start crying, not because I was sad, but because I was laughing so hard!

The night started off well, everyone at the Rainbow Dinner Theatre was very friendly and accommodating, especially our server who was actually in the play! The food was great, and the dessert was delicious! Because it was only my dad and I who went to see the show, I was apprehensive about sitting at the dinner table with two people I didn’t know. Good food, conversation, and comedy sure do bring people together because we were conversing with our new acquaintances in no time!

The girl who wrote the comedy was around my age so I was excited to see if she could make the younger as well as the older audience members laugh. Within minutes of the show starting, I heard laughter throughout the entire audience, proving that this was a show for both the young and the old. By the time it reached intermission, I was falling out of my chair because I was laughing so hard. Just picture your grandmother parading around in naughty nighties, you’d be laughing too!

Needless to say, I would definitely go see Nana’s Naughty Knickers again, or any comedy at the Rainbow Dinner Theatre for that matter.

The comedy is showing through April 24th. I would recommend checking it out for yourself! Visit their website for prices and showtimes!

Leave a Comment | Category: Things to Do, theatre | Permalink

Tags: Comedy, Dinner Theatres, Lancaster County, Rainbow Dinner Theatre

RENT at Dutch Apple Theatre!

February 22, 2010 | Posted by: Carly

RENT Until the other day, I had never seen a play/musical/show or anything of that sort. You could only imagine how excited I was to get the opportunity to see RENT on opening night at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre with a few friends. It was amazing. I had seen the movie version of the show, but boy was the live performance a completely different experience.

To begin, we had a fabulous buffet-style dinner and a glass of wine before heading on to the desserts. YUM! The food was delicious, we were all very impressed. I had a salad, some pasta, stuffed tilapia, and a few potatoes before moving on to apple pie. My belly was certainly full by showtime!

Once the show began, my gaze was frozen on the stage. I didn’t want to miss a moment! I could feel the emotions of the characters as they belted out each song. And I must say– RENT has the best music. The performers were so engrossed in their character it was unbelievable. Having never seen a show before, I didn’t know what to expect. Yes, I have seen high school plays and things of that such, but that doesn’t compare. And I have to admit, I even teared up a few times!

The story of RENT is so touching. These people are battling every day to live with the bare minimum. The story doesn’t end in RENT either, the same thing is happening all over city streets in today’s world. Diseases spread, drugs are used, people can’t afford to live under a roof– and yet the underlying story of love between everyone (as a whole and in couples) flourishes. That’s the hope above it all. Yes, maybe you don’t have material wealth or material at all, but if you have love you have everything you really need.

So for those of you who haven’t yet, go see RENT at the Dutch Apple Theatre. You won’t regret it, I promise!

Leave a Comment | Category: General info, Things to Do, theatre | Permalink

Valentine’s Day at Chestnut Hill Cafe: A Speed Dating Success!

February 18, 2010 | Posted by: Amelia

What does Chestnut Hill Cafe and Valentine’s Day have in common? Speed dating, of course! On a day where you’d expect to find couples cozied up to Chestnut Hill Cafe’s Caramel Macchiatos, Coconut Cappuccinos or Creme Brulee Lattes, one could be found meeting and greeting with several dates on this romantic holiday. Does several dates mean several coffee creations? It seems to be the case because the speed dating event at Chestnut Hill Cafe was very successful! A special thanks to PhotOle Photography and e.e marketing for contributing to the success of the event.

Here are some great photos from the event! Check out the video from the event as well! —

Speed Dating from PhotOle on Vimeo.

speed_dating_1 speed_dating_2

speed_dating_3 speed_dating_5

2 Comments | Category: Food, Things to Do | Permalink

Tags: Chestnut Hill Cafe, Lancaster County, Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day From Lancaster County

February 14, 2010 | Posted by: Brian

A heart shaped whoopie pie courtesy of Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, Restaurant & Bakery.

Leave a Comment | Category: Food | Permalink

Valentine’s Day Romantic Rendezvous’ in Lancaster County

February 12, 2010 | Posted by: Amelia

Looking for something to do this Valentine’s Day weekend with a friend or loved one? Lancaster County has a lot to offer this romantic weekend whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge.

Explore the Lancaster County countryside by car or buggy! If you’re traveling by car, be sure to check out the covered bridges of Lancaster County. These bridges are often referred to as “kissing bridges” because of the many couples who have strolled across them over the years. If you’d like a tour of the Amish Country, Lancaster County is home to authentic buggy rides. You’ll get a taste of the Amish life, while taking in the beautiful scenery of Lancaster County.

Lancaster Country also has many events planned for you and your loved one. If you’re hungry, be sure to make reservations at the Olde Greenfield Inn for their delicious Valentine’s Day Dinner. There will be great food and wine to be had in one of the Olde Greenfield Inn’s romantic dining rooms. If your romantic dinner is planned for home and you’d still like to do something special for your valentine, check out An Affair to Remember, which will be showing Sunday, February 14th at the Hershey Theatre. The movie is at 2 p.m., and tickets are $7 each. This 1957 film stars Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Richard Denning and Robert Q. Lewis. If your looking to give your loved one more than just a dozen roses, be sure to surround yourselves with flowers at Longwood Gardens’ Conservatory for the Love Blooms: Valentine’s Dinner on February 13th. The event will include luscious cuisine, sweet desserts, live music and dancing!

For more romantic rendezvous’ in Lancaster County, be sure to check out the events calendar at www.padutchcountry.com/Event.

Leave a Comment | Category: holiday | Permalink

Tags: Buggy ride, Covered bridge, Lancaster County, Longwood Gardens, Olde Greenfield Inn, Valentine's Day

Take a Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride in Lancaster County, PA!

February 5, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

snow_sleigh Did you know that Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides offer sleigh rides in the winter! Right now it’s snowing here in Lancaster, and if you’re here, you might want to think about a once in a lifetime experience of riding in a horse-drawn sleigh! A buggy ride is an experience that’s great to have as well, if you don’t get to come here in the winter, but if you’re lucky to be here in winter, you can check out the sleigh rides!

Imagine seeing the farmscape, covered in snow from the sleigh, with the horse in front of you, and a warm blanket covering you to keep warm – it almost reminds you of a scene in Narnia! Just call ahead to see if they’re offering them – 717-768-8828, and enjoy our winter weather!

Leave a Comment | Category: Amish, Outdoors | Permalink

Tags: Amish, Buggy ride, PA Dutch, sleigh ride, Snow, Winter

Some Good Amish Cooking

January 28, 2010 | Posted by: Carly

I’ve been paging through a few cookbooks laying around composed by Amish families. They’re interesting to look through because you know each and every recipe has most likely been passed down from generation to generation, like most family recipes. Not only that, but knowing full well how delicious PA Dutch food is, I know these cookbooks are full of great meals and treats. I can only help but wonder if I tried making one of these recipes, if the kitchen would end up blowing up, due to my lacking cooking skills.

The Amish are known to be excellent bakers and cooks. The infamous “whoopie- pies” are a favorite, but will I never want to pick one up again if my baking goes all wrong? One recipe that really caught my eye was from “The Riehls Cookbook”. It’s a hand written, neat little cookbook with the most delicious recipes passed down in their family. The recipe is for a Breakfast Casserole, entitled by the author: “Our Favorite Breakfast Casserole”, so you know it has to be a good one. Saturday morning I will definitly be in the kitchen first thing in the morning, making this delicious meal for my boyfriend and mom. Being that my boyfriend is a harsh critic when it comes to food (in a loving way of course!), I will cross my fingers and wait to hear his verdict after we finish, and of course my mom will be there to assure me it was the best thing she’s ever tasted!

I’ll leave you all with the recipe as well. Let me know how it goes, for those of you who dare to try it! =]

“Our Favorite Breakfast Casserole”

Ingredients: 8 slices of bread, 1/2 lb of cheese, 1 lb sausage or ham, 4 lg eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp mustard, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 stick melted butter

Grease a casserole and put cubed bread in casserole, put melted butter over bread, add meats and sprinkle with grated cheese. Beat eggs and milk, stir in seasonings and pour over bread cubes. You can also add (tator tots) potatoes to your casserole if you please. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, uncovered. Serves 8. You can prepare this the day before and refrigerate. ENJOY! =]

5 Comments | Category: Amish, Food | Permalink

Tags: Amish, breakfast, Cooking, eggs, Lancaster County, PA Dutch, Recipe

Amish One Room School Houses

January 14, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

The Amish believe that the one room schools, best served the educational needs of their people; the basic education in the “Three R’s.” Their schools do not have electricity or automatic running water.

Amish School

The children go to school until the 8th grade. The teachers are generally single Amish women who are chosen by a local school board of parents for their academic ability and commitment to religious values and Amish views. With the practical training that the children recieve at home and in school, they are equipped to accept full time jobs by the time they leave school.

Therefore, after formal schooling is completed, Amish children typically receive some vocational schooling, or “education by doing,” once a week. They learn about the operation and techniques of farming, or the trade of their father. Boys start helping out with plowing and other related jobs at an early age, and girls work with their mother and sisters. To read more about Amish education and work, click here.

1 Comment | Category: Amish | Permalink

Tags: Amish, Amish children, Amish School, Lancaster County, One room school house

Miller’s Smorgasbord

January 12, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

Miller's My sister Abby came to visit me this past weekend. I knew she was arriving Friday night, but I wasn’t sure what time, so I planned to go out to eat with her. She ended up not getting in until later, so we just ordered pizza, and decided to go out for lunch on Saturday!

I wanted to pick a restaurant that she hadn’t ever been to, and she wanted PA Dutch food, so I picked Miller’s, one of Lancaster County’s finest smorgasbords! One of the things that I really like about Miller’s, and something that surprised my sister, is that most buffet style restaurants are one flat price, not matter what you plan to eat. Miller’s offers different meal options, so if you’re just going to have soup & salad, you pay a lower rate than having the whole smorgasbord!

Miller's2 When you go into Miller’s they’ve got some of the history on the walls (with photos, etc.). Did you know that it’s been around since 1929 – almost 100 years! The food is amazing. They’ve got hot entrees, a soup station, a salad station, carving stations, dessert, bread, appetizers, and much more! I got my favorite, mashed potatos (made from REAL potatoes, not just a box), with fried chicken, squash, green beans, a roll, and some other great food. For dessert, I had a slice of apple pie. All delicious.

One other great thing about heading to Miller’s is that they buy local – everything is cooked from scratch. And, they’ve added wine, beer, and cocktails to their menu – including some made from their own Genuine Shoofly Liqueur. We’ve got a bottle of the Shoofly Liqueur – and it’s not just good in drinks – it’s fantastic over vanilla ice cream! I think it will be great in the summer, when it’s too hot for me to want to make a pie, but I’m missing the taste of shoo-fly – I can have it over ice cream!

After we were done eating, we stopped out at the bakery & gift shop – where you can get tons of different things, including some of Miller’s canned jams, chow-chow, beets, fruit, and much more. To see more of what they have to offer at the store, click here.

8 Comments | Category: Food | Permalink

Tags: Food, Lancaster County, Miller's Smorgasbord, PA Dutch