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Fairfield’s Mansion House celebrates its 2nd anniversary

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This story, published two years ago in Oct. 2020, is being republished as the Mansion house celebrates its second anniversary. The tradition of great food and lodging with live music on Thursdays continues. The Mansion House 1757, located at 15 W. Main St. in Fairfield, and previously called the Fairfield Inn, has reopened under the ownership of Cindy and George Keeney. The couple bought the property in June 2020. The property was originally named the Mansion House when it was built in 1757.  The Mansion House houses a sit-down farm-to-table restaurant, with light fare in the tavern area, as well an outdoor seating area, all under the direction of Chef de Cuisine, George Keeney. The restaurant makes use of local suppliers including Twin Springs Farms, Big Hill Cider, Weikert’s Egg Farm, the Farm at Virginia Mills, the Adams County Winery, the Mason-Dixon Distillery, and the Fair Field Farm. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list and a sophisticated menu as well as a carry-out selection. There are six rooms in the boutique inn, which also hosts weddings, rehearsal dinners, and other events.  The Kinneys said buying the Mansion House had provided them an opportunity to establish a family legacy. When asked how the business has been for Mansion House, Keeney described it as “COVID-Busy”. “There has been an increase in the number of overnight rooms in September,” Keeney said. Unlike other local restaurants and bar locations, Mansion House has a bigger indoor space that can seat many patrons. Pennsylvania restaurants are currently allowed to seat up to 50% capacity, but in the name of safety Keeney says the Mansion House is still only using 25% capacity. Having an outdoor seating area opens up more options for the inn.  Keeney said when dealing with Covid-19 as a business there is nothing else to do but stay positive and safe. The inn follows proper social distancing guidelines, with hand-sanitizer at the front and back doors, and also provides all service with a mask-on policy.  Keeney is pleased with local support for the reopening, saying Fairfield Borough has been very embracing and the Fairfield borough council was very efficient. Mansion House also has five different local artists’ work displayed on their property.

Farmers Market Will Move to the rec park in 2023

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After a series of productive discussions with the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA), the Adams County Farmers Market has finalized plans to move to the Gettysburg Rec Park in 2023. The market will be located in the parking lot in front of the Sterner Building, directly off Long Lane. The farmers market is moving from its current location on Stratton Street due to a planned commercial development project, which is anticipated to begin within a year’s time.  The remaining Saturdays of the regular 2022 season will take place as usual at the 108 N. Stratton Street location, concluding on October 29, with one additional Holiday Pop Up Market scheduled for December 3rd. The staff and board of the Adams County Farmers Market considered many factors before deciding to make the move to the rec park. After an exhaustive review process, the rec park was determined to be the best fit for a vibrant, community-focused farmers market location. “We developed a weighted twelve-point matrix based on the needs of the market, and compared over 15 different locations using that matrix to determine which location would score the highest,” said Ellen Dayhoff, co-chair of the farmers market’s Site Development Committee. The rec park offered a wide variety of advantages, including plenty of free parking, newly remodeled public restrooms, ample space for farmers market events, and shady areas for customers to relax. A majority of farmers market customers surveyed picked the rec park as their top choice for a new location for the farmers market. The rec park is also conveniently located a short distance away from popular tourist attractions on Steinwehr Avenue and is surrounded on all sides by residential neighborhoods, making it easy to access for many Gettysburg residents. “GARA is excited for the arrival of the farmers market to the park,” said GARA Executive Director Erin Peddigree. “I think it will be a really fun partnership. This will be an opportunity for those in the area to see the park who may not know that there is a community park in Gettysburg, and the same for those who will be able to experience the farmers market who may not have had the chance before.” At this time, no start date has been set for the 2023 farmers market season, but customers can expect lots of updates within the next few months. Farmers market supporters are encouraged to sign up for the market’s digital newsletter on the website www.acfarmersmarkets.org/newsletter. The Adams County Farmers Market said it was glad to have GARA as a partnering organization to help ensure the market’s future success. “The Gettysburg Rec Park is an exciting next step for our organization,” said Market Manager Reza Djalal. “Anyone who has known the Adams County Farmers Market for a while has seen it grow exponentially. Our positive impact on the community is only going to continue to grow at our new home in the Rec Park.”

Farmers Market to pop up at Cross Keys

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The Adams County Farmers Market will hold a popup market on Wednesday Sep. 28, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Cross Keys Village, 2990 Carlisle Pike, New Oxford. The market will feature vendors selling fresh produce, herbs and spices, locally raised meat, eggs, fresh cut wildflowers, artwork, crafts, and more. This event is free and open to the public. The farmers market will be located outside in front of the Nicarry Meetinghouse on the Cross Keys campus. Vendor spots are still available. Any vendors in the area who are interested can sign up at this link: https://forms.gle/L3SbK7q3WoUccw487

Banjo’s Food Truck brings more BBQ choices to Gettysburg

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A new addition to the lineup of local food trucks has popped up in the parking lot of High Street Brews at the corner of High and Franklin Sts. in Gettysburg. The truck is owned by Biglerville resident Tim Lafferty. Lafferty’s nephew Nick Scott creates and prepares the dishes. Lafferty said the Banjo truck had been in operation since April and had been to Hanover and Mechanicsburg as well as Gettysburg. “We’ve been fortunate to book some fairly decent events,” he said. The truck offers a variety of locally-sourced meals, many of which include locally-sourced meats. Today the offerings included a Pulled-Pork Sandwich, a 5-layer Mac and Cheese Bowl with Pork, a Waygu Beef Philly Cheesesteak Sausage, Nachos with Cheese, Nachos with Pork, as well as soft drinks. Lafferty said the menu will change week to week. Banjo’s is scheduled to be in Gettysburg (same location) on three Thursdays in September:           Sep. 8, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.           Sep. 15, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.           Sep. 29, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Former Pike building to transform into food hall

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One of the most frequent questions in any relationship is “where do you want to eat tonight?” Husband and wife business owners Judy Morley and Steve Burton aim to cut the tension by transforming the former Pike building on Baltimore Pike, Cumberland Township, into a food hall. The couple became official owners of the property on Wednesday and will now focus on implementing plans they have been crafting for months. If the global supply chain crisis does not slow them down, an April 2023 opening is planned. SavorHood Gettysburg will include several fast casual food vendors, including Mr. G’s ice cream, Tilford’s Wood Fired Pizza, Liquid Art Brewing Company (formerly Roy Pitz), Tex’s BBQ, CJ’s Seafood, and Bender’s Potatoes. Burton and Morley are still searching for taco, gourmet grilled cheese and chicken vendors and are in discussions with a dessert vendor. “What restaurateurs are finding is one thing is their niche,” Burton said. “They do one thing and they do it well.” SavorHood customers will order food at their vendor of choice, take a seat and receive a text message when their order is ready. Burton said all orders will take about ten minutes so groups ordering from different vendors can eat together. “The idea for the look and the food is to be community-based,” Morley said. “We shy away from the words ‘food court’ because when you think of food court you think of national chains. All of the concepts need to be chef-driven, really good food with fresh ingredients.” All owners will attend SavorHood Academy so the customer experience is similar throughout the building. The class will be conducted by Morley, who earned a master’s degree in consciousness studies/leadership from Holmes Institute. “What we don’t want is people saying ‘you know, I love everything there except for that pizza guy; he’s rude,’” said Burton, who owns Tilford’s Wood Fired Pizza. Burton and Morley plan to gut the interior of the building, add garage-style doors so it can be used for indoor and outdoor seating and divide the banquet room so it can serve as one large or two smaller rooms. The common seating area will consist of large and small tables and about 200 seats to accommodate any size group. Morley said the ceiling will be exposed and wood accents and industrial lighting will be added to give the building an “industrial farmhouse design.” Two vendors, Mr. G’s and the dessert option, will have interior and exterior windows so patrons do not need to enter the building. A playground will be added to the north side of the property. Parking will be available on-site and across the highway. One of Morley and Burton’s business partners, Brian Zoeller of Chambersburg, is a contractor who will oversee construction. An advisory board consisting of Tammy Myers of Destination Gettysburg, Max Felty of Gettysburg Tours, Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually, Nicole Bucher from Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium, Brad Shaffer from Sites Realty, and Sarah Dull of Comfort Suites will offer feedback. “They cover a wide spectrum of Gettysburg so they will be able to say how we are affecting their particular spectrum of the business world,” Burton said. “They will also be able to say as a group ‘hey, I heard a complaint about this’ or ‘you might want to improve upon this.’” Burton said he heard about The Pike’s heyday when it was used for weddings, class reunions and civic organization meetings. He hopes the community’s enthusiasm for the property returns. “We are keeping the banquet halls. With nine to ten savor stations operating out of there, a customer can put all types of packages together,” Burton said. Burton and Morley relocated to Mount Joy Township four years ago from Colorado, where they operate Tilford’s Wood Fired Pizza, which has locations in three food halls similar to SavorHood Gettysburg. This will be Burton and Morley’s first venture into food hall operation, but they hope to expand the brand in future years. “There is a need in Gettysburg for places where tourists and tour buses can get in and out quickly. There is also a need for places where families can have a lot of choices, but that’s not our sole focus,” Morley said. “We don’t cater to tourists in Denver, we cater to the local business people. We see that as being a significant piece of what we are doing here.” Burton and Morley also purchased 1015 Baltimore Pike, which connects to the Pike property. Dubbed “phase two,” they plan to eventually add steel buildings, fire pits and walking paths to enhance SavorHood Gettysburg’s seating options. Featured image caption: Mount Joy Township residents Judy Morley and Steve Burton are the new owners of the former Pike restaurant. The couple and their business partners will transform the property into a food hall expected to open spring 2023. [Alex J. Hayes]

Farmers Market celebrates inaugural Civics Engagement Day

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The Adams County Farmers Market held its first Civics Engagement Day on Saturday, hosting community organizations including Gettysburg Borough, the Gettysburg Fire and Police Departments, and the Adams County Council of Governments. A number of new voters registered at the voter registration booth. Market Manager Reza Djalal said the goal of the event was to help community members learn more about the many agencies that help support Gettysburg Borough and Adams County. “It was a good chance for people to reach their local elected officials,” he said. “We have the buy-in of many local elected representatives.” “We talked to people about the Baltimore St. Project and we hosted games for kids,” said Gettysburg Planning, Zoning, and Code Enforcement Director Carly Marshall. Marshall said a popular children’s activity was a budgeting game in which they had to decide how to budget for a project when there was not enough money available. “There were trivia questions, and a map of the Baltimore St. Project. The kids colored in where they thought we should place charging stations and street trees.” Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing attended the event, saying at least 50 people had come by the booth, many of whom expressed their pride in Gettysburg and asked her about the use of block grants and the police force. “It went wonderfully. I met and interacted with a lot of the community. I got a lot of suggestions,” she said. Frealing said Borough Police Officer Bryan Holden and Code Compliance Officer Peter Griffioen also attended the event. Djalal said he saw the inaugural event as a “good foundation to do it greater and better next year. I was glad the police and fire departments had a presence,” he said. Djalal said he hoped to expand the event next year to bring in more local government offices from around the county. “If any local elected officials would be interested in helping make this event more successful next year, I would be glad to hear from them,” he said. Frealing said she knew the event had made a difference when a little girl told her, “When I grow up I want to be a police.” Djalal said National Farmers Market Week was beginning this weekend and that the market would be celebrating on Saturday Aug. 13 with events including a “large silent auction with a lot of things for sale.”

Farmers Market will host Civic Engagement Day on July 30

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The Adams County Farmers Market will hold its first ever Civic Engagement Day on Saturday, July 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Farmers Market Site at 108 N. Stratton St., Gettysburg. Civic Engagement Day is a chance to meet some of your local elected officials, learn about important municipal services, and find out more about how your local government works at the same time you are shopping for delicious and healthy foods. Gettysburg Borough representatives will be available for conversation and questions. Scheduled to appear are representatives from Main Street Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Police Department, as well as Mayor Rita Frealing, and Council President Wes Heyser. There will also be interactive kid’s games, information about the Baltimore Street project, and signups for the September e-cycling event. Please come out and get to know your community even better than you do now. Participants hope this event serves as a reminder that there is far more that unites us than divides us. “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” – Abraham Lincoln

Adams fruit growers offer Bounty of the County this August

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The Adams County Fruit Growers Association (ACFGA) has announced its annual Bounty of the County event. From August 12 through August 21 local restaurants are given a chance to create new and delectable dishes using local produce offerings. Produce is donated by local farms, and in turn, 30% of restaurant proceeds go towards the ACFGA to put towards our Presidents Day Commercial Tree Fruit School and the Apple Queen Program. Last year the event participants included 9 restaurants and 13 farms offering for instance fruited beer by Fourscore, Peach Cobbler Sundae and Apple Crostata from Mela Kitchen, and Roast Pork with and Apple Dressing from Hickory Bridge Farm, just to name a few. ACFGA raised $3500 last year to put back into our Fruit Growers Association programs. Participating in Bounty of the County is a great way to connect growers and restaurants within our community at the height of our harvest season. We hope you will consider participating with us this year! Farmers and restaurants that want to participate in the 2022 Bounty of the County event should contact ACFGA at acfga@comcast.net.

Reid’s Orchard and Winery: Cider, Wine, Food, and More!

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Reid’s Orchard and Winery is a family-owned and operated business that includes a  fruit farm located at 2135 Buchanan Valley Road in Orrtanna, as well as Reid’s Winery Tasting Room and Cider House located at 400 Baltimore St in downtown Gettysburg. “We are farmers first. The most important part of our business is growing high quality food. We run farmers’ markets located in Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Virginia,” said Philip Keating, a cider maker and operations manager at Reid’s. “Most of the fruit usually goes down to these markets, but the rest we bring back home and make cider and wine out of it.” Owner and proprietor Dave Reid purchased the Buchanan Valley land in 1976. Since then, he has been farming, expanding, and improving the land by planting a multitude of fruits, including apples, peaches, and multiple species of berries and grapes. All these fruits are well acclimated to the humid hills of Pennsylvania. The farm is now managed by Dave Reid, his nephew Mark, Keating, and a family of eight from Mexico, who come to Adams County to work the farm. While Reid’s may be known for wine and cider, it is fueled by a strong farming tradition. “We do a lot of small batches. We don’t mass produce anything,” said Keating. For instance, if one year strawberries do not sell as well as they did before, then we have a lot of left-over strawberries and we will make a wine or cider out of them. The farm supports the winery, but since 2014, the winery has really started to hold its own legs out.” Keating said about 22 acres of the farm are dedicated to wine grapes (mostly French and Italian varietals). This area of the farm is in a unique location at the tail end of the Appalachian mountains, and on an incline, creating different microclimates all along the hill. These conditions allow growing fruits that normally can’t survive in the area. For example, Reid’s can farm Malbec, a red wine grape that is usually only prominent in South America, France, and some areas of California. The Gettysburg winery offers a variety of wines. On the “dry and heavy” side, is “Reid’s Red,” a blend of Cab Franc and Syrah. “Jennie’s House White” and “Front Porch” are examples of sweeter wines, and there is also a selection of fruit wines and sweet blends. In addition to wine, Reid makes many ciders. In a limited release, the “Apple Crisp,” a sweet cider made with honey crisp apples, makes an appearance on the shelves this year for the first time in several years. “We make anything from your bone-dry European style, pure apple, and nothing else ciders to your Americanized very sweet ciders, and everything in between,” said Keating. “The importance of having a local farm is that our customers can know where these products are coming from.” Reid’s Orchard and Winery has recently added a new partner, Clawson’s at the Cider House. With this addition, Reid’s adds food to its list of products, while staying true to their farming tradition. Clawson’s provides “farm to fork” plates. The Clawsons owned two successful restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee. Unfortunately, they were negatively impacted by Covid, prompting them to shut down and seek “a fresh start” in Pennsylvania. Renting a small kitchen from Reid’s, “They are producing some of the most incredible food I have ever had, and they make it look effortless,” said Keating. While financial fluidity is important to a business’s success, Keating suggests that the community engagement is the most rewarding part of working at Reid’s. “It’s about sitting back, in the garden, when I’m off shift, and hearing people speaking about the cider. It’s always good to make a quality product, but it’s even better to hear people speak candidly about how good the cider is,” said Keating. Reid’s Orchard and Winery is open Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.. Clawson’s at the Cider house is open from 12:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Rare Hold Farmhome provides compassionate meats at the Adams County Farmers Market

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The Adams County Farmers Market, located in Gettysburg, PA, relies on the hard work and dedication of many great vendors, growers, and producers. I am glad to be working with Gettysburg Connection on this monthly column to highlight some of the vendors who support our community-driven work. This month I was excited to talk with Russ and Holly Fetting from Rare Hold Farmhome, a wonderful family farm located just across the Mason-Dixon in Taneytown, MD. Russ and Holly had a very intentional and thoughtful project in mind as they launched their business in spring of 2019. Even the name Rare Hold Farmhome has several layers of meaning. “Russ and I found one another later in our lives,” Holly told me. “From each of our histories came the understanding that when you find something good, really good – that is rare, and you should honor, value and appreciate it.” Russ and Holly fell in love with the name Rare Hold Farmhome before they even realized the purely fortuitous coincidence that the initials RHF could also stand for Russ & Holly Fetting! Russ and Holly are equally as thoughtful and intentional with the products they produce. The RHF team specialize in responsibly raising hogs, Scottish Highland cattle, and Freedom Ranger chickens. “Our animals are given the best of care,” Russ described to me. “On pasture full time. Living together on the land, calving and farrowing together with no crates. We knew that we couldn’t solve the problem (of humane treatment of animals) on a global scale, but locally we could do our small part.” Russ and Holly’s compassionate farming practices not only benefit their animals but customers as well, as their pork and chicken products are some of the highest quality available in our area. Another reason why the RHF team is able to produce such high quality products is because of the knowledge they brought from their careers. In particular, Russ’s expertise as a chef helped cultivate an understanding of high quality products and flavor. “As I have gotten on with my career, 38 years as a chef, I decided that I wanted to get one step closer to the source and to raise some livestock for food,” said Russ. “When we received the meat back featuring our farm label and the USDA shield, we knew we were legitimate and were ready to start selling.” However, the practice of farming at Rare Hold Farmhome is more than just a business. Russ and Holly see themselves as taking part in an important, community-minded project, and participating at the Adams County Farmers Market is much more than simply transactional. As Holly put it, “the impact of being a vendor at the farmers market is exponential. On a philosophical level, it has reinforced our beliefs in what people want. It has allowed us to connect with people. People who share our goals in honoring the lives of these animals and appreciating the gifts they provide.” Holly went on to say how knowing your local farmers is a blessing and a privilege, and eating food raised locally nourishes more than just our bodies. “It feeds our souls, too,” she said. Russ and Holly have learned a lot throughout their Rare Hold Farmhome journey, but the story of this family-run farm is really just beginning. Russ and Holly both agree that RHF is about more than the food. “It is about hospitality, serving others, and helping one another achieve something bigger collectively than we could apart; it is about creating connection and reaping its benefits together,” Holly said. “Russ and I absolutely feel called to invite you – as our original logo says – ‘Come and Grow with Us.’” You can follow along with the Fettings and the growth of their business on their Facebook page and website. I hope everyone will come out and say hello to the Rare Hold team, and all of our other great vendors, at the Adams County Farmers Market this season. Find us in downtown Gettysburg at 108 North Stratton Street from 8am-1pm every Saturday until the end of October.

ACFM vendor Rebel Ridge Farm provides honey, barbecue sauce, community commitment, and more

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rebel ridge farm, littlestown pa

Hello everyone, my name is Reza Djalal and I am the Market Manager/Program Director for the Adams County Farmers Market located in Gettysburg, PA. Our community-driven farmers market relies on the hard work and dedication of many great vendors, which is why I am excited to be working with Gettysburg Connection on a monthly column to highlight some of the vendors who participate with us. Our family of vendors is critical for the success of the market, so I hope you will enjoy learning more about these great family-run businesses and local farms. The first vendor we will be highlighting is Rebel Ridge Farm in Littlestown, PA. Rebel Ridge Farm is owned and operated by Brandi Coghill, David Wildey, and their 5 children. The Rebel Ridge team have many passions which come together to create a successful, thriving, and truly unique business here in Adams County. They are beekeepers, animal-lovers, growers, homesteaders, educators, and more. Rebel Ridge Farm had humble beginnings as a family homestead. Brandi grew up learning about farm life from her grandparents, and she spent her summers canning, freezing, and “putting up” what they grew for year-round use. Brandi’s grandparents helped her cultivate the values of wasting nothing and sharing excess with neighbors, and she has worked to instill those values in the next generation. “I wanted the same for my family,” Brandi told me. “Teaching our kids to be good stewards of the resources we’ve been given.” Rebel Ridge Farm has now begun to blossom into an impressive and multifaceted local agribusiness. The family works together to produce very high quality, sustainably produced honey from their PA state licensed and inspected apiary. They also make varieties of delicious, flavored honey which have been a big hit amongst farmers market shoppers. Rebel Ridge Farm has other great items, too, including lotions and soaps for self-care, and also some of the tastiest barbecue sauce around. Everything they produce comes out of things they are passionate about, as well as input from their valued customers. “Customers provide a lot of feedback,” Brandi said. “They suggest ideas or ask if we could try something.” Their honey is also now PA Preferred. However, the most important thing that Rebel Ridge Farm brings to the Adams County Farmers Market isn’t any single product, but rather their commitment to benefiting the community. The Rebel Ridge team makes education a central part of their mission, which helps customers learn more about the food they eat as well as the importance of sustainability. “I love connection and relationships,” Brandi told me. “If we can use those connections to help one another, teach and learn from one another, share ideas, then we leave each other and the world better. Teaching about our bees helps raise awareness of their importance and how the smallest things can make a difference.” Rebel Ridge Farm is a prime example of how businesses thrive when they are responsive and receptive to the needs of the community they serve. It’s clear that this family-run business is driven by a community-focused mission, and they have certainly been well received by the community at the Adams County Farmers Market. You can follow along with the family and the growth of their business on their Facebook page. I hope everyone will come out and say hello to Rebel Ridge Farm, and all of our other great vendors, at the Adams County Farmers Market this season. Find us in downtown Gettysburg at 108 North Stratton Street from 8am-1pm every Saturday until the end of October.

Mr Gs changes owners but customers may not notice the change

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Although the popular and iconic Mr. G’s Ice Cream and Gift shop, located at 404 Baltimore St., Gettysburg, has changed owners, it will continue its offerings in much the same form as it has for the past 11 years. “I am not going to change what has been working for years,” said new owner Marc McLean, who purchased the shop from “Mr. G,” Mike Gladfelter, in February. McLean said one of the conditions that came with the purchase was that the shop continue to employ the four women who make the famous ice cream. A second was that the Mr. G’s name wouldn’t be changed. “I feel like Mike Gladfelter gave us his blessing to run Mr. G’s and for that reason I believe we will be successful,” said McLean Marc McLean was approached last September with the opportunity to buy the store when Gladfelter ran into him out at dinner one night and dropped the news that he was selling. McLean was intrigued and decided to pursue the offer. McLean is no stranger to the ice cream business – his parents have owned the Sunset Ice Cream Parlor on Steinwehr Ave since 2002 and he worked there in his youth. That experience gave Gladfelter the confidence to make the sale. “My husband is always looking for something new to do. We were very lucky with the timing of it all. When we were approached with this opportunity everything just fell into place,” said McLean’s wife and business partner Megan.  Both are Gettysburg natives and local public school teachers. The current building is situated at a prime site for local traffic and Civil War history buffs. The building is scarred with bullet holes and battle wounds from the Civil War are evident on the south side of the building. The original home was once known as Twin Sycamores, which were two trees outside of the shop that withstood the Civil War.  Astonishingly, one of the two is still standing. With over 50 total homemade flavors and 16 always available in the shop along with soft-serve there is always a flavor for your liking. When it is peach season in Gettysburg, fresh peach ice cream is the biggest seller. Some other fan-favorites are cookies and cream, cookie dough, mint-chip, and a Mike Gladfelter favorite – black cherry. McLean said he is trying out two new flavors — A breakfast ice cream that will have a base of pancake batter with syrup and bacon and a donut ice cream, Marc and Megan have been devoting many hours learning about the new business and training new workers. They currently have a full staff and are ready to take on the summer crowds. McLean said they have experienced some high-volume days this spring, and as the summer rolls in they are expecting more days like those.

Farmers Market Vendor Lineup Announced, Food Assistance Program Expands

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The Adams County Farmers Market will launch the 2022 farmers market season on Saturday April 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 108 North Stratton Street in Gettysburg with a phenomenal cast of new and returning vendors. The 2022 vendor lineup is listed below. The Market organizers anticipate an excellent market season including several new events. “There are many exciting things to look forward to this season,” said Market Manager Reza Djalal. “Our hope is to really ramp up our event programming and have lots of fun activities for children, families, and even adults all throughout the season.” Some of the new events currently being explored include Vendor Appreciation Day, South Mountain Partnership Day, a t-shirt design contest for National Farmers Market Week, and various food-themed festivals. In anticipation of the start of the season, the Adams County Farmers Market has also decided to expand the SNAP/EBT food assistance program at the market. This year, the maximum amount of SNAP benefits that can be “doubled” each Saturday will increase from $25 to $30. Farmers market organizers hope this expansion of the program will assist in giving lower income customers more opportunities to shop at the market and help offset the challenges caused by inflation. The SNAP Double Dollars program is made possible, in part, by collaborative efforts of the Adams County Farmers Market, Healthy Adams County, and the Gettysburg Hospital Foundation. Shoppers who are interested in learning more about using their SNAP benefits at the farmers market can find more information at: www.acfarmersmarkets.org/our-outreach-programs. Two new team members were recently hired by the Adams County Farmers Market. Kaylene Bere was recently hired as the new assistant market manager and Kim Gabel was brought on as a part-time event coordinator. “This is an exciting opportunity to connect with the community,” said Bere. “The farmers market is a wonderful asset to our town.” Market customers can look forward to meeting both Bere and Gabel at the Market Manager’s table on Opening Day. The farmers market will be held in the same space as previous years, behind the Gettysburg Transit Center on Carlisle Street. Future commercial development planned at the location is not expected to interfere with the farmers market season. However, in the event that the planned development project moves forward faster than expected, the organization has a plan in place to ensure there will be no interruption to the regular market season. The market with continue each Saturday through October. Free parking is available during hours of operation at 108 North Stratton Street, as well as the gravel parking lot across the street from the market. “We’re excited to see many new and returning farmers market fans this season,” said Djalal. “Every year the support for our community-driven farmers market continues to grow.” Parking information and directions can be found at: https://www.acfarmersmarkets.org/visit-us The Adams County Farmers Market’s current vendor lineup is listed below. More vendors and occasional guest vendors may make an appearance periodically throughout the season. FULL SEASON: 4 Herbs & 7 Spices Ago The Ragged Edge Roasting Company Boyer Nurseries & Orchards Chapel Ford Farm Charming Meadow Chonkey’s Best DaddyBoy Bake Shop Deer Run Farm Faerie Springs Farm Fiddlers Green Farm Green Barn Farm Hilltop Farm Market Lancaster Distilleries Macs by Ceci Maggie’s Farm Gettysburg Mason Dixon Photography The Mexican Food Truck Mud College Farm Pastabilities Playing In The Dirt Rare Hold Farmhome Rebel Ridge Farm Robin’s Nest Baked Goods Weaving Roots Farm Ziggy Donutz HALF SEASON: Someday Creations Studio Foucart Ridgeway Forge Studio The Kombucha Lady Weikert’s Egg Farm MamaSewrus Native Plant Apparel Marann Jones Garden Design Wild Juniper Farm

Soup contest will benefit the Gleaning Project

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The Route 97 Farmer’s Market at the Marketplace at Gettysburg will host “Soup There It Is,” a contest to name “the best soup in Gettysburg.”  The event will occur on Saturday March 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Marketplace atGettysburg, 2440 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg. The contest is a great way to be a part of an event that brings the community together and supports small businesses. The contest will help The Gleaning Project of South Central Pennsylvania’s mission to reduce food insecurity and improve community health. The tasting and judging begins at 11:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m. the tasting and voting ends and the winner will be announced at 1:30 p.m. on a Facebook live stream. The winner will receive the Golden Ladle, a prized to be displayed in their restaurant. Judges are:Karl Pietrzak, President & CEO of Destination GettysburgCarrie Stuart, President of The Chamber Gettysburg & Adams CountyJill Sellers, President & CEO of Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.Lori Mitchell, Owner of Savor Gettysburg Food Tours Please contact Alicia Eyring at aeyring@threebigdogs.com if your restaurant would like to participate.

Gettysburg will set fixed parade fees * Farmers Market reports

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Saying the lack of predictability had been a problem and that the goal was to make the expenses paid to the borough more predictable while also being respectful to the taxpayers, Gettysburg Borough Council President Wes Heyser presented a proposed fixed fee schedule for hosting parades in 2022. The proposed pricing varies on the length of the parade route and ranges from about $4,000 to $5,500 per parade. The fees cover expenses including setting up and removing security barriers, traffic control, and cleanup. Heyser said the fixed fee would be honored for parade organizers even if borough costs exceeded the amount charged. The fees were calculated based on the use of both volunteer traffic monitors as well as police officers directing traffic. Heyser said borough staff, including the police department, would not charge any administrative fees for the parades. Memorial Day parade organizer Barry Decker said finding the funds to continue to hold the parade would be difficult. “It’s a struggle,” he said, saying funds had been difficult to find. The council reminded Decker the borough had already committed to contribute $1,000 to this year’s parade to help reduce costs for the organizers. Council member Matt Moon said there was no guarantee the borough would continue to support the Memorial Day parade in the future. “This falls on the backs of the taxpayers,” said council-member Patti Lawson. Farmers Market The Adams County Farmers Market presented an update to the council, focusing in large part on how the market helps business and underserved populations. Farmers Market board member and Healthy Adams County Executive Director, Kathy Gaskin said her organization supports the market as it works to “make sure everyone in the county has access to fresh, nutritious food and at the same time supporting our local growers.” Gaskin said Healthy Adams County receives almost $100K per year from the Gettysburg Hospital Association to support the Healthy Options and doubling programs for SNAP and senior citizens. Market Director Reza Djalal said the access programs are growing every year and that 1,200 low-income individuals participated and received over $66,000 in benefits in 2021. “We are reaching the intended recipients of these programs,” he said. Two market vendors spoke to the council, praising the market for providing the opportunity to partner with them. Thanking the many local organizations who help make the market possible, Djalal said there was a “sophisticated internal and intentional project going on behind the scenes to cultivate an inclusive and vibrant community space to support regional agriculture and support local businesses.” Djalal said there were 36 vendors at the market last summer and that the market served as an incubator for local businesses. Djalal pointed out that low vendor fees of only $250 annually help make the market possible and said vendor sales increased by 66 percent from 2020 to 2021.   The market “fosters health and happiness for residents in Adams County and tourists as well,” he said. In terms of a new site for later in 2022 or 2023 when they will have to leave the current Gettysburg Station site, Djalal said several sites were under consideration but no announcements could be made at this time. The last four seasons have been phenomenal for  the Farmers Market. The special weekends were so packed with people,” said Lawson.

Farmers Market will open at existing location in 2022

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The Adams County Farmers Market will be launching its 2022 farmers market season on Stratton Street in Gettysburg, at the same location as in previous years, with permission newly granted from the site’s future developer. The recent purchase of the Gettysburg Station Lot and plans for an upcoming development project had cast some uncertainty on the Adams County Farmers Market’s 2022 location. However, in recent weeks the market received official permission to move forward in the same space. The Adams County Farmers Market has utilized the Gettysburg Station Lot to hold its open-air farmers market for the past 5 years. “The developer has given permission for us to use the same site for at least some part of 2022,” said Market Manager Reza Djalal. “So we will definitely be launching this farmers market season in the same space that our shoppers are currently familiar with. It is important to note that there is a chance of having to change locations mid-season. What we know right now is that we are 100% guaranteed to be able to hold the farmers market ‘through July,’ according to the new owner of the site. Our hope is that we will be able to finish the season without interruption, but that will be predicated on the timeline of the developer’s project.” “The nature of development projects is simply that they take time,” said Ellen Dayhoff, Site Development Committee Co-chair for the Adams County Farmers Market. “Our hope was, if the lot would remain vacant for at least a portion of the 2022 season, then we should keep using it while we can.” At this time, a land development plan has not been submitted by the developer, but may be submitted as soon as “March or maybe before,” according to a recent Gettysburg Times article. “This does not diminish the eventual need to change locations in the future, whether that be this year or next,” continued Djalal. “But now we can better educate customers about where to find us next. It will help to be able to communicate directly with customers at the farmers market.” Last year’s farmers market season was the most successful ever for the organization. The Adams County Farmers Market welcomed many new vendors as well as dozens of returning vendors, and combined vendor sales increased by 65% from 2020. The ‘bounce back’ from peak pandemic also benefited the Adams County Farmers Market, with an increase of 56% in customer foot traffic due in part to lifted Covid restrictions and more visitors to Gettysburg. Market vendors and customers alike expressed high levels of satisfaction with the 2021 market season, which culminated in two extra ‘pop-up’ Christmas markets last month. The Adams County Farmers Market has also facilitated a high volume of food assistance benefits which assist lower income individuals such as SNAP/EBT recipients, WIC clients, lower income senior citizens, and lower income Latino families. Last year, the farmers market administered more than $66,000 in food assistance programs, which helped promote consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables while serving more than 1,200 food insecure residents of Adams County. One shopper using SNAP/EBT said, “It is a wonderful program, you do a great service to the community.” However, the growing success of the Adams County Farmers Market has strained the capacities of its current location at the Gettysburg Station Lot. Limited free parking available in the vacant lot, which at one time was enough to accommodate the market’s number of customers, has recently become insufficient to fully meet the needs of shoppers. The lack of clearly defined parking spots and unusual puddles of muddy water in the parking area have also been reported by customers as issues. “Parking is at a premium now, and if customer traffic keeps growing at the rate it has been then the market’s current location will definitely become a limiting factor for us,” continued Dayhoff. “This highlights some of the factors we will be studying as ways to improve the farmers market when we change locations.” More announcements about a future location for Adams County Farmers Market will be made later this year, after important details have been confirmed. In the meantime, fans of the farmers market should plan for ‘business as usual’ in the regular Stratton Street location. “The best way for market supporters to stay informed as to what’s going on is just to come to the market on Saturdays and talk to us,” said Djalal. “We’ll do our best to communicate updates to our fans. Each day the path forward for the farmers market becomes a little clearer, and we are deeply appreciative of all the support we’ve received. Our top priority is continuing to provide a vibrant, community oriented farmers market atmosphere here in Gettysburg.”

Ugly Mug Café Closes after 10 years in Gettysburg

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The Ugly Mug at Cockle’s Corner, formerly located at 168 Carlisle St., Gettysburg posted the following announcement on its Facebook page on Sunday Jan 9, 2022. “2021 was absolutely amazing, being Ug Mug’s highest grossing year to date! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our patrons over the past ten years. However, we have decided to permanently close our store front. Many factors have lead to this decision…….a global pandemic, staffing shortages, product shortages, even our own health and well-being. We will be continuing to sell our fresh roasted, whole bean coffee online at theuglycafe.com and hope to see continued support as we open a new chapter in our lives. What a crazy ride this has been! But, just as the dolphins said in “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, so long and thanks for all the fish!” The Cafe was owned by Adam and Alyson Yetsko.

What’s the difference between sugar, other natural sweeteners and artificial sweeteners? A food chemist explains sweet science

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Kristine Nolin, University of Richmond A quick walk down the drink aisle of any corner store reveals the incredible ingenuity of food scientists in search of sweet flavors. In some drinks you’ll find sugar. A diet soda might have an artificial or natural low-calorie sweetener. And found in nearly everything else is high fructose corn syrup, the king of U.S. sweetness. I am a chemist who studies compounds found in nature, and I am also a lover of food. With confusing food labels claiming foods and beverages to be diet, zero-sugar or with “no artificial sweeteners,” it can be confusing to know exactly what you are consuming. So what are these sweet molecules? How can cane sugar and artificial sweeteners produce such similar flavors? First, it is helpful to understand how taste buds work. Taste buds and chemistry The “taste map” – the idea that you taste different flavors on different parts of your tongue – is far from the truth. People are able to taste all flavors anywhere there are taste buds. So what’s a taste bud? Taste buds are areas on your tongue that contain dozens of taste receptor cells. These cells can detect the five flavors – sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. When you eat, food molecules are dissolved in saliva and then washed across the taste buds, where they bind to the different taste receptor cells. Only molecules with certain shapes can bind to certain receptors, and this produces the perception of different flavors. Molecules that taste sweet bind to specific proteins on the taste receptor cells called G-proteins. When a molecule binds these G-proteins, it triggers a series of signals that are sent to the brain where it is interpreted as sweet. Natural sugars Natural sugars are types of carbohydrates known as saccharides that are made of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. You can imagine sugars as rings of carbon atoms with pairs of oxygen and hydrogen attached to the outside of the rings. The oxygen and hydrogen groups are what make sugar sticky to the touch. They behave like Velcro, sticking to the oxygen and hydrogen pairs on other sugar molecules. The simplest sugars are single-molecule sugars called monosaccharides. You’ve probably heard of some of these. Glucose is the most basic sugar and is mostly made by plants. Fructose is a sugar from fruit. Galactose is a sugar in milk. Table sugar – or sucrose, which comes from sugar cane – is an example of a dissacharide, a compound made of two monosaccharides. Sucrose is formed when a glucose molecule and a fructose molecule join together. Other common dissacharides are lactose from milk and maltose, which comes grains. When these sugars are eaten, the body processes each of them slightly differently. But eventually they are broken down into molecules that your body converts into energy. The amount of energy from sugar – and all food – is measured in calories. High fructose corn syrup High fructose corn syrup is a staple of U.S. foods, and this hybrid sugar sweetener needs a category all on its own. High fructose corn syrup is made from corn starch – the main carbohydrate found in corn. Corn starch is made of thousands of glucose molecules bonded together. At an industrial scale, the starch is broken into individual glucose molecules using enzymes. This glucose is then treated with a second enzyme to convert some of it into fructose. Generally, high fructose corn syrup is roughly 42%-55% fructose. This blend is sweet and cheap to produce but has a high calorie content. As with other natural sugars, too much high fructose corn syrup is bad for your health. And since most processed foods and drinks are packed full of the stuff, it is easy to consume too much. Natural nonsugar sweeteners The second category of sweeteners could be defined as natural nonsugar sweeteners. These are food additives such as stevia and monk fruit, as well as natural sugar alcohols. These molecules aren’t sugars, but they can still bind to the sweet receptors and therefore taste sweet. Stevia is a molecule that comes from the leaves of the Stevia redaudiana plant. It contains “sweet” molecules that are much larger than most sugars and have three glucose molecules attached to them. These molecules are 30 to 150 times sweeter than glucose itself. The sweet molecules from monk fruit are similar to stevia and 250 times sweeter than glucose. The human body has a really hard time breaking down both stevia and monk fruit. So even though they’re both really sweet, you don’t get any calories from eating them. Sugar alcohols, like sorbital, for example, are not as sweet as sucrose. They can be found in a variety of foods, including pineapples, mushrooms, carrots and seaweed, and are often added to diet drinks, sugar-free chewing gum and many other foods and drinks. Sugar alcohols are made of chains of carbon atoms instead of circles like normal sugars. While they are composed of the same atoms as the sugars, sugar alcohols are not absorbed well by the body so they are considered low-calorie sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners The third way to make something sweet is to add artificial sweeteners. These chemicals are produced in labs and factories and are not found in nature. Like all things that taste sweet, they do so because they can bind to certain receptors in taste buds. [Over 140,000 readers rely on The Conversation’s newsletters to understand the world. Sign up today.] So far, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved six artificial sweeteners. The most well known are probably saccharin, aspartame and sucralose – better known as Splenda. Artificial sweeteners all have different chemical formulas. Some resemble natural sugars while others are radically different. They are usually many times sweeter than sugar – saccharin is an incredible 200 to 700 times sweeter than table sugar – and some of them are hard for the body to break down. While a sweet dessert may be a simple pleasure for many, the chemistry of how your taste buds perceive sweetness is not so simple. Only molecules with the perfect combination of atoms taste sweet, but bodies deal with each of these molecules differently when it comes to calories. Kristine Nolin, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Richmond This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Ernie’s Texas Lunch celebrates 100 years in Gettysburg

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The employees at Ernie’s Texas Lunch are celebrating 100 years of being part of the Gettysburg community by doing what they always do – providing quality breakfasts and lunches at their counter and tables in their shop on Chambersburg Street. The store, known originally as Texas Hot Weenies, was opened in in 1921 by Anastasos (Ernest) Kranias soon after he emigrated from Greece. He and another boy lied about their age and crossed the Atlantic just months after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Ernest traveled in the states until he came to Gettysburg which he decided would be the perfect place to settle. The shop is now in the able hands of Ernest’s grandson, Ernie Kranias, who says little has changed since then. In fact, he credits the lack of change as a reason for continued success. When you sit down and order something on their menu you are ordering food that someone would have eaten a century ago. After returning to his birth country for a visit, Ernest sponsored a relative and another Gettysburg icon, Tommy Kranias 14 years later, helping him make a place for himself in Gettysburg by opening the iconic Tommy’s Pizza Shop. “Ernest and Tommy bonded and Tommy became like a second son to him,” said Krinias. “Tommy once asked me which one do you think is better, ‘Tommy’s Pizza or T & K Pizza Stop?’, and I said ‘T & K Pizza Stop’”, said Kranias. “Obviously, I chose wrong, but I was flattered that he asked what I thought.” Kranias says he often considers the courage of the boys taking their trip across the Atlantic knowing the fate of the people on the Titanic. “But then I thought maybe they didn’t even know about it,” he said. Kranias said Gettysburg turned out to be a good choice for both businesses, in part because there were many other Greek emigrants starting up at the same time. “The neighbors are competitive, but ultimately helpful and friendly,” he said. Kranias said the shop’s customers have remained supportive over the years. “People may change the way they look or talk,” he said, but “so many people have gone out of their way to show support to their business over time and especially during the pandemic.” Kranias said many customers ordered takeout while indoor dining was forbidden, which helped keep things going. “The same supportive customers were always there from the very start of our opening. Though the regulars change over time, their eagerness to help has not changed at all,” he said. Kranias said a customer donated $400 to support the shop. He distributed the gift among his employees. Kranias credited his wife Linda, who died of cancer in 2014, as his “pillar and rock. I never realized just how important this family business was until she came along and showed me,” he said. Linda Kranias was a kind and caring person who helped with local fundraisers. Kranias continued her legacy, helping raise almost $128,000 for cancer research since 2014. “Linda had a shining personality and brought fun to the business. She touched the hearts of everyone,” he said. Kranias spends his free time researching his grandfather to learn more about his life and how exactly the family business came to be. He does not have any children to pass down his family’s legacy, but hopes to convince a distant cousin or one of his nephews to take over the business. Ernie’s serves traditional breakfast items including eggs, omelets, and pancakes, as well as hot dogs, fries, burgers, and chili. The unique menu offerings, including the Texas Weiner, Cheese Dog, Dummy Ho Hot Dog, and the Taco Dog, are all homemade and follow recipes that have done well for 100 years. And they still serve beer for their adult customers. To see a video about Ernie’s and to place an online order, please visit them here.

Adams County Farmers Market seeks a new home

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The Adams County Farmers Market (ACFM), which is currently located behind the Gettysburg Transfer Station (rabbittransit) between Carlisle and Stratton Streets, is looking for a new home. The move is necessitated by an upcoming development project on the site which will be occurring in the near future. Market Manager Reza Djalal said it was “likely the current site will not be viable in the future” due to the development, although he said there was a “slim” chance the market might be able to continue at the site for at least part of next year’s season. At this point the market is considering three locations – the Gettysburg College campus, the Lutheran Seminary campus, and the Gettysburg rec park. At a meeting with Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA) board of directors last Monday, Djalal said surveys of customers and vendors showed overwhelming support for a rec park location and that the market’s board members were also very favorable. Djalal said his main concern with a move was to not interrupt the substantial growth the market has shown.  Djalal said combined vendor sales in 2021 were up 65 percent from 2020 and 134 percent from 2019. The GARA board was very positive about the idea but said there were many details that would need to be worked out, including addressing the question of whether the farmers market might fit into the rec park contract and whether Gettysburg Borough, which owns the land, would allow it.  “I’ve always thought this is a great space for a farmers market”, said GARA President Steve Niebler. “I don’t see why it can’t succeed.” ACFM said it hoped the new site would be ADA compliant, with restrooms and public transport. Djalal said a paved area was necessary, and that both the north and south parking lots along Long Lane were suitable. Djalal said he preferred the north lot because it was closer to downtown Gettysburg but that there were benefits of the south lot as well. Djalal said tourist traffic from Steinwehr Ave. might be attracted to a market at the south end of the park via Gettys or Queen Streets. Djalal also said the market would like to have a year-round building if possible. ACFM and GARA will continue their conversations. “Let’s keep talking,” said Niebler.

Gettysburg Baking Company opens in Biglerville

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Owner Sheila Luckenbaugh has expanded the Gettysburg Baking Company from the existing shop on the Gettysburg Square into an extension location at 213 E. York St.in Biglerville. The store is just a few blocks north of the town center. The shop, which currently sells a variety of breads and pastries, as well as coffee, had a soft opening on Tuesday that was well attended. Even Biglerville Mayor Phil Wilson showed up for a baguette and a seeded twist. Luckenbaugh has baked her breads and created her pastries at the store in Biglerville since she purchased the business from former owner Marc Jalbert in 2016. She has now purchased the 3,000 square feet building, which was formerly the home of Pamona’s Bakery Café. “I’m so excited to be open again in Biglerville,” she said. Bakery products will continue to be sold at the shop on the Gettysburg Square, but customers can get them earlier in Biglerville. “The breads are fresh out of the oven at 9:30 in the morning,” said Luckenbaugh. For now the shop is open from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays through Saturdays, but Luckenbaugh said there will be changes coming after the first of the year. “Food is coming,” she said, “I’m just not sure when.”  Luckenbaugh said she expected to start serving brick oven pizzas and salads which will be prepared by her brother Justin, who has 25 years of experience in the culinary field. Luckenbaugh said keeping the shop in Gettysburg going during the pandemic had been tough. “I worked for 10 months nonstop,” she said. “We had huge, huge support from the community.” Will Angell will continue as the lead baker and Luckenbaugh said she was looking for a production person. “At this point the biggest issue is staffing,” she said, echoing a difficulty current experienced by businesses around the county.

Small restaurant Tacos Monarca brings big flavors to Gettysburg

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On the corner of West Railroad and Carlisle Streets in Gettysburg, where Subway once operated, there is now a small Mexican restaurant. The restaurant is named Tacos Monarcas after the monarch butterflies that migrate from Canada to the Oyamel forests in Michoacan, Mexico. Michoacan is the home state of owners Jimena and Louis Gonzalez. From food to atmosphere, Tacos Monarca is deeply influenced by Mexico. “Our goal is to bring the same flavors from Mexico to here,” said Jimena, and that is why their restaurant is detailed with everything Mexico. The restaurant’s decor is based on tastes and designs commonly found within the owners’ hometown. Gonzalez has commissioned a personal painting by her cousins on one of the restaurant’s walls. The painting depicts a man holding a mask of an old person’s face while carrying a basket of avocados. Gonzalez explained how this piece is actually about a traditional dance. “Traditionally the dancers would wear masks that look like old men and women while wearing wooden shoes that would create lots of noise when stepping,” she said. The dance is called “danza de los viejitos” (the dance of old men). It is a traditional folk dance found exclusively in Michoacan. Their recipes are authentic Mexican food you can easily find all around Mexico. It is common in many Mexican restaurants in the U.S. to change traditional recipes to cater to the people who live here. In the process, the original recipe turns into an entirely different dish. So when people order something like a taco, they don’t get an authentic one. Jimena and Louis take pride in their food and culture. They enjoy the idea of sharing their love for their culture and food with others. Their love for their traditional food pushes them to only serve authentic dishes that are not altered from their original recipes. Their home-made sauces make the recipes uniquely theirs, but they keep the recipes as close to the original as possible. Jimena said she was worried about opening a restaurant during the pandemic, a time when many restaurants were closing. But Tacos Monarca has only seen consistent sales since opening. Jimena attributes her success to her customers’ dedication. While there are regulars from town who often either dine in or order take-out, some customers travel far lengths in order to eat their dishes. Jimena said they often have customers who travel from up to two hours away just to get a bite of their delicious authentic food. The Gonzalez are long-time residents of Gettysburg, and have always had a deep desire to open a business here. “It was a surprise,” said Jimena. “We were thinking about it, but not really looking for a place to buy or rent yet. Then somebody told us about this place. I talked with the owner and they said yes, because I used to work here at Subway like eight years ago.” The coincidence almost seemed like fate to the couple. They decided that instead of waiting any longer they would take the chance. “I told my husband I want to be in business, not only with a restaurant,” said Jimena. She is interested in expanding their business, not only to different cities, but to open other stores here in Gettysburg as well. The Gonzalez have big aspirations, but for now they are focused on cementing their restaurant here in Gettysburg. Jimena’s sister, Edith Garcia, clearly believes in her sister’s dream and dedication, as she took a gap year off of school in order to help Tacos Monarca get started. Garcia is currently a college student, attending a school in Mexico. Though she does not go to a culinary arts school, it has always been an aspiration of hers to be part of a professional kitchen. She will most likely return to school soon, but Jimena said there will always be a spot waiting at Tacos Monarca if she chooses to return. Tacos Monarca also offers pizzas and sandwiches. Eat-in, pick up, or get delivery. You can find Tacos Monarca at 11 W. Railroad St. in Gettysburg.

Teas of the First Ladies Presentation at the Gettysburg Public Library

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The Gettysburg chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution invites the public to attend their October 15, 2021 gathering in the Eisenhower Room at the Adams County Library at 1:00 PM.  A wonderful program is planned. Drink and listen to surprising, funny, and poignant stories about First Ladies serving tea at the “First Ladies’ Tea.” This “First Ladies’ Tea” features Ruthmary McIlhenny who is well-known for her delightful presentations at the Adam Country Arts Council, Eisenhower National Historical Site, and HACC’s Community Education Days.  In the spirit of the program, tea and light refreshments will be available. Please RSVP to Regent Edy Sarnoff at edyasarn@gmail.com if you plan to attend.  Please note that masks are encouraged inside the library as an attendee moves to/from the Eisenhower Room, though once inside the room, masks are optional.

Downtown Gettysburg’s Ragged Edge provides coffee, pastries, smoothies, and more

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Positioned just one block from the Gettysburg Square, the Ragged Edge Coffee House is an ideal location to enjoy a steamy cup of coffee or a delectable bite to eat after exploring the historic battlefields.  The Ragged Edge is Gettysburg’s only coffee house, eatery and juice bar and serves a full menu of breakfast, lunch, espresso, lattes, smoothies, and home-made baked pastries. Like the captivating history of the Gettysburg battlefields, owner (and former Gettysburg Borough Council President) Jacob Schindel’s shop has an awe-inspiring story. The Ragged Edge Coffee House first opened in April, 2001. Only three years later the original shop burnt down on Jan. 31, 2004. Schindel rebuilt and re-opened nine months later. And the shop survived still another fire in 2006. The challenges have continued in the COVID-19 era, but the Ragged Edge has remained open, taking many safety protocols to make sure both tourists and locals can continue to enjoy the aroma of a coffee house despite the circumstances. Safety is made easier because the shop has an outdoor garden and three indoor dining rooms. Saying his favorite part about being a business owner is to be able to “execute your own vision,” Schindel said ”I want the shop to feel like a small community inside a bigger one.” The shop also serves as an art gallery and poetry venue, with art openings and poetry readings on First Fridays. Some of The Ragged Edge Coffee House’s most popular menu items are The Jasper Bacon Egg & Cheese and the Ragged Edge Club. You can enjoy them alongside a perfectly brewed coffee underneath a wooden canopy in the back courtyard.  Whether you are longing for a cup of warm coffee or a tasty sandwich on a cool fall day, The Ragged Edge Coffee House has it all! It is the ideal spot to enjoy after spending a long day exploring historic Gettysburg. Find the Ragged Edge at 110 Chambersburg St.

Tomorrow is Kids’ Day at the Farmers Market

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We hope you will bring out all the young farmers market fans in your life for Kids Day tomorrow, August 28th! We have lots of fun, free activities including airbrush tattoos by Adventure in Fun, a cute build-your-own bouquet station thanks to our friends from LocaFlora Design, and some cool take-and-make kids art kits. We also have a whole cast of amazing community partners joining us at the farmers market with even more games and activities. Plus, kids who participate will get $5 in special Kids Day Market Bucks to spend, and POP Kids Club loyalty cards get 2 hole punches for Kids Day – so there will be a lot to see and do for children of all ages!    Please note: the Gettysburg Fire Hall is graciously allowing overflow parking for Kids Day in their BACK parking lot. If you are having trouble finding a place to park in the market’s regular lot, feel free to make use of the Gettysburg Fire Hall’s back parking lot for this event. (Please be sure not to block any spaces or areas reserved for emergency vehicles.)

Organization Profile: Hunt’s Battlefield Fries and Café

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Are you in Gettysburg and craving some boardwalk French fries or Philly cheesesteak? Look no further, visit Hunt’s Battlefield Fries & Café. The café is located located at 61 Steinwehr Avenue in a beautiful 1900s house where noted Lincoln scholar and reenactor Jim Getty once lived. In 1992, the store’s owner Scott Hunt owned a restaurant in Stone Harbor, NJ, where he sold salty boardwalk fries right off the beach. After a successful time in New Jersey, he decided to move to York, PA and then to Gettysburg. Hunt thought Gettysburg would be a great place for his shop because it was such a popular tourist location. His intuition panned out, as this is the restaurant’s 20th anniversary.  Hunt said that the restaurant owning business runs in his family as his biological father was a cook in the army and had a shop in Hanover, PA.  In addition to fresh cut Idaho potato fries, the restaurant offers savory cheesesteak, hamburgers, wings, grilled cheeses, chili dogs, and a wide assortment of breakfast dishes. They also offer fresh squeezed lemonade and limeade. The store is kid-friendly and exactly what you crave before and after a long day exploring the Gettysburg Battlefields.  Hunt talked about his experience with owning a restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned that the owner of Tommy’s Pizza in Gettysburg, PA set up a Facebook page for all the Gettysburg restaurants that offer take out. Hunt thanked the local townspeople for their dedication and support to keep Gettysburg’s businesses running during the pandemic. Hunt’s favorite parts about being a restaurant owner in Gettysburg are meeting all the great people who come into his restaurant and making the food they love to eat. Hunt’s Battlefield Fries & Café is in a perfect location on Steinwehr Avenue to enjoy on your way into or out of town after spending the day learning about historic Gettysburg. Or stop by anytime you’re ready for some fries.

Bounty of the County begins tomorrow

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The Adams County Fruit Growers Association is again presenting its annual Bounty of the County event that allows restaurant patrons to sample locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. The event, which features fruits and vegetables from 13 local producers served in nine restaurants begins on Friday, August 6 and continues through Sunday, August 15. Adams County creates a superb growing environment for fruits and vegetables and there are over 20,000 acres of orchards throughout the county. Our farmers grow over 7 million bushels of apples every year that become juice, apple sauce, pie fillings, and sauces, as well the apples we find in our markets. And our local farmers also grow a variety of other fruits and vegetables that are ripening now. Bounty of the County celebrates the annual harvest and connects the residents of Adams County with the great growers, allowing them to enjoy the fresh food the way the growers do – very soon after it’s harvested.   Chefs at the participating restaurants in Gettysburg and Adams County are crafting delectable dishes from the fresh produce straight from Adams County farms.  When you visit a restaurant, look for or ask about a specialty menu with a list of the dishes and beverages you can choose from.  Then enjoy!   A portion of meal proceeds are donated to support research and education for Adams County fruit growers Visit any of these 9 awesome restaurants: Dunlap’s Restaurant       *    Thirsty Farmer Brew Works Hickory Bridge Farm   *   Dobbin House Tavern   *   Fourscore Beer Co. Olivia’s Restaurant   *   Ploughman Farm Cider Taproom Mela Kitchen in Jack’s Cider House   *    Mason Dixon Distillery Thank you to the farms providing produce: Hollabaugh Bros., The Round Barn & Market, Hilltop Farm Market, El Vista Orchards, Three Springs Fruit Farm, McDannell’s Fruit Farm, Rice Fruit Company, Bear Mountain Orchards, Knouse Foods Cooperative, Twin Springs Fruit Farm, Boyer Nurseries and Orchards, Bream Orchards, and Peters Orchards. Find details at www.acfga.info/bounty and on Facebook at @ACBountyoftheCounty. The mission of the Adams County Fruit Growers Association is to promote the fruit industry of Adams County by initiating and supporting promotional programs, supporting and encouraging educational programs, growing and marketing research and development projects, and any other programs or projects that shall be of benefit to the Adams County fruit industry.

Rediscover Old Fashioned Ice Cream at Cone Sweet Cone

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If you are looking for a refreshing stop on a hot day after touring the battlefield, or just have an inkling for some old-fashioned ice cream after a local meal, Cone Sweet Cone is an opportunity to satisfy your cravings. Located at 433 Baltimore St., Home Sweet Cone offers a wide variety of old-fashioned ice cream flavors. And it’s only a short walk from the Gettysburg square. Shop owners Barbara and Steve Schultz said their store offers a wide variety of products including gelato, Italian ice, ice cream, fudge, cotton candy, chocolate, and nostalgic candy. Barbara said they make their ice cream the way they like it – fresh using the best quality product – and with extra toppings. Some of the fan-favorites at Cone Sweet Cone are the premium ice cream flavors of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry cheesecake, caramel latte, butter pecan, chocolate peanut butter, and the recently-added black walnut. Locals also enjoy their four vegan options made with coconut oil and almond milk and their unique gelato flavors. Tourists often feel that they go back in time and revisit their childhood after seeing all their favorite nostalgic candies offered in the shop. Cone Sweet cone is located on the first floor of the Schultz’s bed and breakfast, A Sentimental Journey. The bed and breakfast is home to antiques and the feeling of traveling through different eras in uniquely decorated bedrooms. The building was originally an art-print and art shop but the Schultz’s decided to convert it into another business to pursue their love for bed and breakfasts and ice cream. Barbara feels that Cone Sweet Cone is a charm along the boulevard of historic Gettysburg and enjoys meeting tourists when they come and visit. She said it makes her happy to please all types of ice cream enthusiasts with their vegan and sugar free homemade ice cream options.  Stop by Cone Sweet Cone to go back in time and enjoy some of your favorite premium ice cream flavors!

Changes Coming to the Painted Turtle Farm at Gettysburg College

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Gettysburg College and the community of Gettysburg are no strangers to forming strong partnerships. For the Painted Turtle Farm at Gettysburg College, that partnership is at the core of its mission. Located on ¾ of an acre on the northwest side of campus, the farm is a joint operation between Casa de la Cultura, a community organization that promotes the cultural rights of immigrants and the college’s Center for Public Service. Together, they address social justice and food sovereignty through sustainable agriculture. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Casa de la Cultura supervises 30 raised garden beds on the farm in which local immigrant families can grow their own food. The Center for Public Service oversees a 4,000 square foot plot for its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Members of the community can buy a CSA share to receive weekly bags of produce from the farm. The farm’s impact in the community has grown each year since it started in 2005. The impact has increased since the partnership between Casa de la Cultura and the Center for Public Service started in 2013. Leaders from both organizations meet regularly to discuss ways to improve the farm’s operations and create new sustainability and social justice goals.  “I try to bring ideas to the working group and let them make decisions,” said Jeffery Rioux, the director of the Center for Public Service and Community Partner of the Painted Turtle Farm. Thanks to a drip irrigation system that the farm started using, the 2019-2020 growing season increased from 3,000 lbs to 4,000 lbs. Rioux hopes to continue increasing productivity this season by testing soil quality through the local Penn State Extension.  Pollinator Garden The addition of a pollinator garden next to the Painted Turtle Farm will also increase the farm’s output. Led by student Grace Verbrugge, the garden has native plants that will attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. While the farm and garden are separate operations at the moment, Rioux envisions the Painted Turtle Farm assuming ownership of the garden in the future. Honoring the Indigenous Peoples In the past, the farm mainly addressed social justice through its partnership with Casa de la Cultura and immigrant families. Now, the farm will also address social justice by honoring the indigenous peoples that once cared for the land. Volunteers will hear the farm’s new land acknowledgment statement before every volunteer shift. The statement establishes a sustainable and reciprocal relationship with the land to achieve food sovereignty, similarly to the indigenous peoples of the area. “It’s only significant if you take those words to heart. We’re going to connect it in ways that people can see,” Rioux said of the statement. To connect speech with practice, the farm will also start growing the “three sisters,” an indigenous farming practice in which corn, beans, and squash work together to help each other grow, using native seeds.   This past spring, Casa de La Cultura rebuilt all existing 30 raised garden beds for the families who own plots. The families will also benefit from a new children’s’ garden located next to the family plots. Summer Program Coordinators Emma Fee and Anna Bohenek led a group of kids in planting purple carrots and blue corn last week. “Through this project, we hope to keep the kids busy and engage them in what we do at the farm,” said Emma. Like all public spaces this past year, the Painted Turtle Farm had to operate under COVID19 restrictions. Masks, social distancing, and capacity limits resulted in little interaction between students and families in the community. Now, the restrictions are starting to ease in accordance with college and CDC guidelines. The Center for Public Service and Casa de la Cultura are currently developing safe ways to once again bring campus and community together in the fall.

Business Profile: The Inside Scoop on Mr. G’s Ice Cream

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Mr. G’s is a local homemade ice cream shop in downtown Gettysburg. It is a favorite for college students, locals, and tourists. Owner Mike Gladfelter — “Mr. G” — is an alumnus of Shippensburg University. One summer he traveled home with his roommate during summer vacation and was mesmerized by his family’s ice cream shop, becoming fascinated with the idea of combining his own entrepreneurial interests and his love for ice cream. Gladfelter is very proud that one of his employees has been with him since day one. Mr. G’s was not always located in its iconic location on the corner of Baltimore and LeFever Streets. The first store opened off Route 30 in 1997 and the business moved into town 2011. The current building is situated at a prime site for local traffic and Civil War history buffs. The building is scarred with bullet holes and battle wounds from the Civil War are evident on the south side of the building. The original home was once known as Twin Sycamores, which were two trees outside of the shop that withstood the Civil War.  Astonishingly, one of the two is still standing. There is a white picket fence around the perimeter of the shop so families feel comfortable with their children running around the lawn. Customers can enjoy ring games out front and a gift shop in back. Mr. G’s partners with the Life is Good brand and sells apparel in the gift shop along with work from local Adams County artisans. They also sell candles that smell exactly like their most popular ice cream flavors! With over 50 total homemade flavors and 16 always available in the shop along with soft-serve there is always a flavor for your liking. When it is peach season in Gettysburg, fresh peach ice cream is the biggest seller. Some other fan-favorites are pumpkin in the fall, cookie dough, mint-chip, and a Mike Gladfelter favorite – black cherry. Like many businesses in 2020, Mr. G’s was dramatically impacted by COVID-19. However, a silver-lining throughout the past year was their partnership with Kennie’s Market. With over 20,000 pints of homemade ice cream delivered to the three Kennie’s Markets in Biglerville, Gettysburg, and Littlestown last year, Mr. G’s stayed busy with their new business venture and online orders throughout the pandemic. If you are visiting Gettysburg or in the Adam’s County area, plan a trip to visit Mr. G’s on 404 Baltimore Street to try some of their creamy homemade flavors to put a cherry on top of your day!

SCCAP food pantry needs your help

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South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) Gettysburg Pantry is a food bank located at 153 N. Stratton Street (rear of building) in Gettysburg. The pantry serves over 625 families from Gettysburg, McSherrystown, Biglerville, and Arendtsville every month. The pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed from noon to1:00 p.m.). SCCAP also funds six other food pantries, mostly run by churches located around the county. The additional locations provide easier access to residents in all corners of Adams County. The pantry has one full-time employee, 1 part-time employee, and dozens of volunteers. The pandemic has reduced number of people volunteering to about half, and also changed who comes to it. “We have seen an increase of families that are out of work but waiting for unemployment payments and/or food stamps.” said Lisa Beaver, Food pantry Coordinator. “Sometimes, this is their only access to food.” Each family can receive the food once a month. Small families get 4 bags of food, medium sized families get 6 bags of food, and the larger families get 8 bags of food. Each bag contains a variety of vegetables, fruits, peanut butter, jelly, beans, canned meat, noodles, easy to make meals, snacks, etc. Each family is also given bread, sweet treats if available and 5 to 10 pounds of frozen meat. Lately, the pantry has been able to give eggs and dairy products as well. While the food pantry buys food from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and receives free USDA food from the Department of Agriculture and local stores and restaurants, without donations from organizations and individuals, the food pantry could not service the community the way it does. Helping those around us is needed more now than ever. Please consider donating, items or time or money. What can you do to help? Donate: Dry products such as pasta, hamburger helper type meals Peanut butter and jelly are always needed Go through your cupboards, donate anything that you do not use. Buy extra personal care / feminine care products and donate. (always a high demand) Donate garden surplus to the Gleaning Project. What other services does the food pantry offer? Senior box: Box of food different from above for people over 60 and income eligible. Section for healthy choices: Low sodium low sugar items. Project helping hands for Adams Electric: Can pay up to $250. Visit the Gleaning Project daily for veggies and bread and sometimes dairy/eggs. Need assistance in Adams County? Want to help these programs? Food Pantries: Food Pantries — SCCAP Gleaning Project: The Gleaning Project Rent and Utility assistance: Rent Relief — SCCAP WIC: Health and Nutrition — SCCAP Child Care: ELRC Applications — SCCAP Homelessness: Homeless Services — SCCAP SNAP, Medical Assistance, etc: COMPASS HHS Home (state.pa.us) Weatherization: Weatherization — SCCAP Families in Poverty – Support Circles: Support Circles Home in Adams County: Home In Adams County Understanding Poverty: Videos — SCCAP

Ploughman Cider Taproom reopens tomorow with expanded menus

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A soft opening last night showed off the new culinary and beverage options at Ploughman Cider Taproom, located on the southwest corner of Gettysburg’s Lincoln Square. The taproom, which has been open for three years, has long been a place for ciders and other local beverages, as well as live music, but there has not been much of a food menu. The new expanded menu, prepared by chef Katie Christopher, includes charcuterie and cheese platters with local cheeses and sausages, nuts, chutneys, and breads, as well as sandwiches, meat pies, and meat and vegetarian pasties. Christopher also showed us a beautiful green salad expected to be on the menu soon. “This is a testimony to farmer’s markets,” said taproom owner Ben Wenk. “We didn’t want to be a protein and two starches type restaurant.” Wenk said the menu was based on locally-sourced foods processed “with minimal intervention.” Beverage options have also been expanded, including not only ciders and local beers, but also wines, whiskies, digestifs, and cocktails. The mixology choices include the Ploughman Old Fashioned with rye and apple cider syrup, the Boulevardier with Ploughman Cherry Vermouth, and several absinthe drinks. Wenk said the taproom was a casual “mix and match” style; informal and approachable. “Cider has always been a rural drink,” said Wenk. “This a place you can drop in after work.”  The Ploughman Ciders are also available for takeout. The remodeled taproom will open Friday May 28 at 11:00 a.m.

Farmers Market Opens Tomorrow, Just in Time for Mother’s Day

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A local Gettysburg staple is returning to North Stratton Street this Saturday, and with it, the promise of fresh products and small business support for the whole community. Located two blocks north of Lincoln Square, the Adams County Farmers Market can be found near the Gettysburg Transit Center on Carlisle Street every Saturday, May through October, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  This season’s vendors include Deer Run Farm, Boyer Nurseries & Orchards Inc., Chapel Ford Farm, Hilltop Farm Market, Maggie’s Farm Gettysburg, Mud College Farm, and many others including half season vendors and rotating guest vendors. Products include local, seasonal produce, meat, eggs, cheese, flowers, baked goods and much more. New to the market this year are the addition of The Mexican Food Truck, serving authentic cuisine, and fresh donuts served by Ziggys Donuts. Committed to nutritious, fresh food for all, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can use Electronic Banking Transfer (EBT) cards to get tokens for purchases through the market’s EBT Double Dollars Program. Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks distributed to income eligible seniors are doubled in value by the Adams County Farmers Market and accepted by produce vendors. Debit and credit card transactions are also available for all at the market manager’s tent.   This year, to ensure connection between vendors and the community, product orders will be available to be placed online and picked up directly from each vendor every Saturday. Click on the market’s local line website for online orders. Curbside pickup will also be implemented later in the season. Free parking is available behind the market off N. Stratton St. Vibrant activities, demonstrations, and live music can be anticipated weekly.   For more information on the market, including a complete list of vendors and programs, visit https://www.acfarmersmarkets.org/. Follow Adams County Farmers Market on social media including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Business Profile: CJ’s Takeout and Late Night Bites, On the Go!

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The timing could hardly have been worse: The local food truck CJ’s Takeout and Late Night Bites had its grand opening in March 2020, just as the pandemic hit. “Starting a business in 2020 was super challenging, but to hit the one year mark and know that we did it was an awesome feeling,” said owners Kate and Tony Hill. Tony and Kate share a love for food and cooking. As Kate describes it, “He loves to cook, I like to eat, so it just works out!” Tony is a big night owl and that helped them realize a food truck was the perfect idea and they could have a positive impact on the community. “Tony is up all night, and he’s always experimenting with different sauces and different types of food,” said Kate.  CJ’s is a huge attraction for local residents, and especially Gettysburg College students, being one of the few late night options in the area. Their busiest evenings are Friday and Saturday, and they offer a wide variety of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and deep fried treats, as well as dinner and dessert. COVID forced the couple to change their plans by offering more takeout options and delivery.  They also took the truck on the road, stopping in at local wineries and schools. They are also excited to bring the truck to their first wedding event in September. When speaking about Gettysburg Borough’s recent proposal to limit food trucks from the first block of the square, Kate said she understood the concerns but also felt food trucks should not be limited. “I understand the frustration; it was a tough year for everyone. But I don’t think the food trucks make that big of a difference. The year has been hard for restaurants and businesses, but it has been hard on everyone, food trucks included. Food trucks often offer food that is something completely different than those restaurants have. They provide a variety of food and options and make it great for locals and visitors. It brings more business to everyone.” Kate noted that where a typical restaurant is normally open most of the day for six or seven days a week, CJ’s is only open Thursday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to around 2:00 a.m.. CJ’s Takeout and Late Night Bites is located across from the Gettysburg Majestic Theater at 150 Carlisle Street. To visit their website, click here. http://www.cjstakeout.com 

Gettysburg Borough Proposes Limiting Food Trucks

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Under a proposal being considered by the Gettysburg Borough Council, food trucks will be banned from Lincoln Square and in the first block in each direction from it, as well as on Steinwehr Ave. The proposal is a compromise between parties who want food trucks to be allowed everywhere and those who want to ban the trucks to an even greater extent. Jennie Dillon from the Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association (GARMA) said her organization was opposed to food trucks because they competed with brick and mortar restaurants and took up parking spaces. “GARMA’s position is number one to support the brick and mortar establishments in the borough and to promote the turnover of customer parking by having all available spaces for the public. We would be saying ‘no.’ We would not be in support of food trucks in the borough,” said Dillon. Dillon also said food trucks were dangerous. “It’s hazardous for traffic because they are so large,” she said. When asked, Dillon said GARMA might approve of food trucks if they were in specific locations, for instance if they were parked on a business property. Businesses that also have a food trucks, such as the Garry Owen Irish Pub, would be allowed a permit to park their truck in front of their business under the proposed ordinance. Speaking in favor of the food trucks, council member Matt Moon said “I don’t support the recommendations to prohibit [food trucks] from operating on the square or the first block. This is people’s livelihood. I don’t think it’s right to push them out to the fringes. The difference between parking in front of ACNB or two blocks up could be $1000 per day.  These are businesses that operate on razor-thin margins.” said Moon. The borough said it was trying to determine how to support food trucks and brick and mortar businesses at the same time while respecting the historical character of the borough. The borough said public comments are welcome on this issue.

As Gettysburg Ends Live Outdoor Music at Ploughman Taproom, Wenk Will Expand in Biglerville

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The proprietor of Ploughman Cider Taproom on the Gettysburg Square, Ben Wenk, said he will expand his outdoor musical offerings at Biglerville’s National Apple Museum after the Gettysburg Borough Council announced Monday they would not renew his outdoor amplified music permit. The issue came to a head last year after a resident who lives on the square complained about noise from the music at the taproom. “We want to be respectful to the households who have issues with the noise but we also want to be sure we are balancing public interest and public enjoyment and the vitality and viability of our businesses,” said Director of Planning, Zoning, and Code Carly Marshall. Marshall said as a result of an investigation following the complaint the borough had learned that amplified music is prohibited by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board at outdoor establishments that serve alcohol. Because the borough wanted to be in compliance with these rules, Marshall said “we would not be issuing a permit for Ploughman’s to have amplified music on the square this year.” Wenk said there would be live music at the Biglerville museum every Friday beginning May 8 and that the full schedule would be released soon. Marshall said live amplified music on the square could be allowed in areas that are not part of an establishment’s service area and that the borough could provide monthly permits, meaning the borough could reconsider their policies every 30 days.  “We think we have a solution to keep music on the square, even if we have nothing to do with it. I hope we can announce that soon,” said Wenk. Marshall said the proposed permits would require music to end at 10:00 p.m. weekends and 9:00 weeknights and that amplification would only be allowed on weeknights until 7:00 p.m.

Majestic Theater Announces Spring Curbside Popcorn Sales

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Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater will offer “majestically” delicious popcorn for purchase under the marquee at 25 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg on First Fridays this spring. “Our curbside popcorn stand was so popular last fall that customers have been clamoring for a re-run.  And you know why?  Scientific research shows good movie popcorn is the third most basic human need after love and home-cooked food,” said Jeffrey Gabel, Majestic Theater Founding Executive Director. “The Majestic serves THE best popcorn in town because we only use Orville Redenbacher’s ‘no old-maid’ popping corn, and Matt Moon’s secret popping oil.  Melted butter is optional but highly recommended.”The perfect treat after a long week is a bag of fresh-popped Majestic Theater buttered popcorn. Theater staff will be selling fresh popcorn in front of the theater, 25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, on April 2 and May 7, 5:30-7 p.m. Stop by, say hello, and take home your own bag of “majestically” delicious popcorn, safely packaged and served by masked and gloved theater staff. Prices are $4 and $5. Cash and charge accepted. Popcorn is free to members of the Majestic’s Popcorn Club. The Majestic Theater at the Jennifer and David LeVan Performing Arts Center is owned and operated by Gettysburg College to build cultural capital for its campus and community.

Opening News and Awards for Ploughman Cider Taproom

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When last we spoke, it was early November 2020. But not much has happened since then, right? Seriously, there’s been a lot going on and little of it good. Then today, we were nominated by USA Today’s 10best in a fan poll for America’s Best Cidery. That’s something good that happened recently! If you’re so inclined, you can vote every 24 hours between now and March 16th when the poll closes. We would certainly appreciate your support! We’ve consistently been in the top five from the moment this poll went live! Keep up the good work, friends!  We expect to reopen Ploughman Cider Taproom in Gettysburg for indoor service after a year of disruption, limited to outdoor service and to go sales only. We’ll be rolling out a local-farm sourced menu of delicious food that will accompany the ciders we serve there on the Square of Gettysburg. We’ll have GREAT musicians performing there all spring, summer, and fall. We’re also bringing back our Summer Drive Thru Concert Series at the National Apple Museum in Biglerville. You might even see a few Taproom-exclusive ciders in 2021 as well so plan to visit us out here in Apple Country. We’re still currently open for to-go sales only every weekend and I encourage fans of fermented beverages to “Save The Date” Sunday 2/28. Keep a close eye on our social media channels for a really fun pop up coming up later this month! More information on when we’ll be opening for indoor and outdoor service coming soon in the next two months or so. Until then, we’re still open from 11-7pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for your to-go cider sales and some wonderful products from Three Springs Fruit Farm. Hot mulled cider as well!

Adams County and SCCAP Benefit Food-Insecure and Frontline Workers Through Operation Restaurant Rescue

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Operation Restaurant Rescue is a community fundraiser for families facing food insecurity and front line workers. Just buy a restaurant gift card, mark it with whether you want it to go to a food-insecure family or a front-line worker, and send it to: SCCAP Attn: Operation Restaurant Rescue 153 N. Stratton St. Gettysburg, PA 17325 SCCAP will get your card to your preferred recipient.

Adams County Farmers Market 2021 Vendor Application Portal Now Open

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The Adams County Farmers Market Association (ACFMA)’s 2021 Vendor Application is now available online at www.acfarmersmarkets.org/become-a-vendor. ACFMA invites vendors of all types to consider applying, including fruit and vegetable growers, dairies and cheesemakers, and vendors specializing in shelf-stable items such as jams, jellies, pickles, and preserves. Hot and prepared food vendors are also welcome to apply, as well as local artists and craftspeople. Despite the Covid-19 public health crisis, 2020 was a very strong year for the Adams County Farmers Market. Gross annual market sales increased by an astounding 42% over 2019. ACFMA anticipates that a continued surge in demand for regionally produced food along with the momentum generated in 2020 will make 2021 an even greater success for farmers market vendors. According to ACFMA’s End of Season Vendor Survey, 93% of 2020 vendors intend to return in 2021.  ACFMA was recently awarded a $93,000 USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant award. The 3 year FMPP project timeline begins in 2021, and will help contribute not only to a successful 2021 farmers market season, but also to the long term sustainability of the Adams County Farmers Market.  ACFMA is also proud to offer a wide variety of food access and wellness initiatives for a variety of Adams County residents. These programs have served as an excellent stream of additional revenue for farmers market vendors. Anyone with questions about how to become a vendor at the Adams County Farmers Market are encouraged to reach out to Reza Djalal (manager@acfarmersmarkets.org). ACCF Mission Statement: The Adams County Farmers Market Association is committed to a vibrant farmers market which assists consumers in obtaining fresh, nutritious food while strengthening the bond between agriculture and the community.

Pop-up Gift Festival at the Farmers Market Location on Saturday

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The Adams County Farmers Market will be partnering with friends from Waldo’s & Co. for a very special event THIS SATURDAY, December 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the same outdoor location as our regular farmers market. Come visit an awesome cast of farmers market vendors as well as many local artists to pick up some fun Christmas gifts for your friends and family. This will be a great opportunity to shop safely and support local creators. Find pottery, prints, jewelry, baked goods, fiber-arts, and more! This event will be held outdoors at 108 N. Stratton Street in Gettysburg. (Note: rain date for the event is Saturday, Dec. 19th.)

Fairfield Inn Reopens as Mansion House 1757

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The Mansion House 1757, located at 15 W. Main St. in Fairfield, and previously called the Fairfield Inn, has reopened under the ownership of Cindy and George Keeney. The couple bought the property in June 2020. The property was originally named the Mansion House when it was built in 1757.  The Mansion House houses a sit-down farm-to-table restaurant, with light fare in the tavern area, as well an outdoor seating area, all under the direction of Chef de Cuisine, George Keeney. The restaurant makes use of local suppliers including Twin Springs Farms, Big Hill Cider, Weikert’s Egg Farm, the Farm at Virginia Mills, the Adams County Winery, the Mason-Dixon Distillery, and the Fair Field Farm. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list and a sophisticated menu as well as a carry-out selection. There are six rooms in the boutique inn, which also hosts weddings, rehearsal dinners, and other events.  The Kinneys said buying the Mansion House had provided them an opportunity to establish a family legacy. When asked how the business has been for Mansion House, Keeney described it as “COVID-Busy”. “There has been an increase in the number of overnight rooms in September,” Keeney said. Unlike other local restaurants and bar locations, Mansion House has a bigger indoor space that can seat many patrons. Pennsylvania restaurants are currently allowed to seat up to 50% capacity, but in the name of safety Keeney says the Mansion House is still only using 25% capacity. Having an outdoor seating area opens up more options for the inn.  Keeney said when dealing with Covid-19 as a business there is nothing else to do but stay positive and safe. The inn follows proper social distancing guidelines, with hand-sanitizer at the front and back doors, and also provides all service with a mask-on policy.  Keeney is pleased with local support for the reopening, saying Fairfield Borough has been very embracing and the Fairfield borough council was very efficient. Mansion House also has five different local artists’ work displayed on their property.

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