Lancaster County and Country Music Classics

Shindig in the Barn... if that rings any bells with you, you were most likely living in Lancaster County in the 60's when the Guernsey Barn on the corner of Rt 30 and Rt 896 was packed to overflowing on Saturday night with Country and Gospel music fans. Straw bales lined the walls. Chairs crowded the floor and there was barely room to turn around to see and be seen. Groups like the Oak Ridge Boys, the Statler Brothers, and the Imperials were standard fare here. While, at the time I did not have an opinion about Country or Gospel music, it was one of the few allowable hangouts of my teenage years and I have fond memories of those times.

Last week I had the opportunity to see the American Music Theater Country Classics Show, and I can tell you, all those wonderful memories just came flooding back. This show hopped and skipped its way over 4 decades of the best that country had to offer, done well, creatively and judging from the audience response I was not alone in my appreciation. Included were songs that I had forgotten even existed.  It was like sitting in the middle of a Time Life Series, but it didn't stop with the oldies. The second half has some of the best that today's country has to offer with songs from Vince Gill, Reba and Josh Turner. This show also features some incredible musicians, not the least of which was a fiddle player extraordinaire. Great voices, fun costumes, and a wonderful venue all add up to an extraordinary night out.

Why not plan a trip to our Lancaster County Bed and Breakfast and include and evening or matinee with the good folk at the American Muisic Theater. If you like, we would be glad to procure your tickets for you.

Swiss Alphorn and Yodeling Concert in Lancaster County

Now, here is a great reason to come stay at our Lititz Bed and Breakfast.. an Alphorn Concert in Lancaster County!  Lorenz Schwartz and Ernst Baenninger from Wattwil Switzerland are presenting an Alphorn and Yodeling concert on April 23 at 7PM at the Conestoga Mennonite Church, just west of Morgantown.

Life is interesting in how it so often circles around. When Werner and I lived in Switzerland during the early 80's, we would take our little girls Mirjam and Esther, both under 3 at the time, to a small inn in the Grissons (Graubunden)  in a little storybook town of La Punt. This  hamlet was just a few miles outside of the much better known St. Moritz, but had so much charm. The inn was amazing, though a bit rustic,  and so much of what we do here at Swiss Woods started as a dream during our stays there. Lorenz and his wife Andrea ran the inn and we so looked forward to our winter trips there.
Today the Schwarzs live in Wattwil, just a few miles south of where Werner and I lived in the Toggenburg Valley. All this history,( a veritable trip down memory lane for me)  just to say ....an alphorn and yodeling concert in Lancaster County! If you enjoy this kind of thing why not join us?

Auctions in Lancaster County, a fun thing to do

My dad loved auctions, all kinds of auctions but especially those estate sales that went on all day and had everything under the sun for sale. He was very good at bidding and winning items at very good prices, oft times downright cheap!  My younger sister and I would go along on Saturdays to these events, that were oft times very social and included great food. We would set up our folding chairs and watch as one item after the other found its way to be sold.

I was not very old when Dad gave me $10, a fortune back then, and allowed me to look around, choose something I might like to have and then, bid on it myself.  My very first acquisition this way was a wash basket full of beautifully embroidered linen that I bought for next to nothing. I still have some of those beautiful pieces.   From that moment on, I was hooked. Auctions were the best!

These days,  Saturdays are busy and I don’t have much time to spend a whole day in this manner but Lancaster County still has many wonderful auctions any day of the week.  Driving home yesterday from Lititz, I passed a sign for one just up the road and decided .. this one I will try and attend, and not just for the homemade chicken corn soup or hamburger bar-b-que.

Why not plan a trip to Lancaster County with just this in mind? Swiss Woods is not far from so many auction options.  Wednesday’s Horst Auction center has  indoor estate auctions just a few miles from the inn. They also run special auctions that include coins, folk antiques and other specialties.   Spring and fall are prime times for estate auctions that take place at the property.  Ask us for any that might be happening while you are here. We will be more than happy to help you find that perfect place to spend a Saturday morning watching the auctioneers gavel fall! You never know what you might find.

Greenhouses in Lancaster County...

..just a stone's throw from our Lititz Bed and Breakfast.

With Springs abrupt arrival the myriad of small greenhouses that dot the countryside here are hanging out their “open” signs. Flats of pansies, seed packets, early annuals are all in beautiful display on the watering benches. Lancaster County is a farming community and spring planting, huge manicured gardens, banks of beautiful flowers and even window boxes are just a way of life here. It is one of the things that makes this area different and so very beautiful.  A recent facebook post by my sister proclaiming “I don't remember ever planting peas, potatoes, and onions before mid March! It sure feels good to have a head start this year! Planted some beets, lettuce, chard and kale, too”


We live close to more greenhouses than I can count. There are tiny farm stands that then sell produce in the summer, there are medium ones like Hoovers that started as a home grown produce market and turned into a full fledged greenhouse. There are the mega big ones that have everything garden related you can think of like Esbendshade's, just a short 10 min from the inn.


As March moves into April we find ourselves mapping flower buying trips for our guests. Over the years they have learned what a find this area is and come prepared to wander the back roads and visiting the farmers markets purchasing flats of flowers and veggies, hanging baskets and herbs, and even additions to their water gardens,  all to take home and plant.  Let us help you find the perfect spot for economical and beautiful flowers to plant all summer long all the while enjoying the beautiful one of a kind PA Dutch countryside.

Spring and Summer on the way to this Lancaster County Bed and Breakfast

“Can I pick fruit anywhere in Lancaster County?” At our bed and breakfast, this was a new question. Most of our guests are coming to tour and shop, eat and relax, not necessarily to pick fruit. But why
not? As I thought about it, it made perfect  sense. We encourage our guests to shop the farmers markets. We have a large refrigerator just for their use to store anything they find and want to take home with
them and we even have coolers for sale if they forget to bring their own!

The Lancaster area is home to many pick your own farms. Cherry Hill Orchard features the most amazing cherries in June and every kind of apple you can think of starting in late August. Strawberry farms dot
the countryside, many of them not far from our Bed and Breakfast in Lititz. Every spring we pick quarts and quarts of these to make our amazing fresh strawberry jam.

Starting now, the multitude of fabulous greenhouses stock their spring and summer plants, also a popular item to purchase at really great prices and take home. Stay tuned for more on our huge variety of greenhouses.




Why not plan a trip to pick up spring garden plants or pick berries, soak up some one of a kind relaxation in the quiet of the garden, and allow us here at Swiss Woods to spoil you with our great breakfast and one of a kind hospitality.

Rooms are filling up for the spring, summer and fall. Book early for your choice.

Book one of our specials for a great value. Visit our area page on the website for updated listings on all there is to do and see, special events and shows in Lancaster, auctions, farmers markets and shopping.  And be sure to "like" us on facebook to get all of the up to the minute  happenings. Can’t wait for spring? Well, it has arrived here in beautiful Lititz, PA.

What to do with 3 days in Lititz, Lancaster County

As fall comes into full force and the days grow shorter and cooler many folks think that activities in this part of the world slow down as well. I am here to tell you that it “just ain’t  so”!  Late fall and winter are some of the richest, activity wise, in Lancaster County. Here are some fun filled ideas of what you can do with 3 days in beautiful Lancaster County.   Visit our website for links to those that have websites. For those that don’t we will have all the info for you here when you check in.

Fridays
Of course we are near Lititz and love all that there is to do right here!  November brings  2nd Friday on Nov 11, with shops open later, music and other fun things to do. Lancaster City boasts 1st Fridays with special events, food and music as well. While there visit the Central Market, the oldest inland farmers market in Lancaster County, open only on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  Friday’s are also Green Dragon days, a busy outdoor/indoor farmers market in Ephrata. Auctions, produce, crafts and flea market all rolled into one.  
Saturdays
This is a great day to tour through Amish farmland, slow your pace to that of the horse and buggies around you, add in a stop at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse for some shopping. Jellies, jams and preserves abound here. Small stores with handmade crafts, and other beautiful things can be found here as well.  Quilt shops are dotted through the countryside. Ask us for our favorites.  You will want to stop for ice cream on an old order Amish farm that makes just about the best ice cream on the face of the earth!  End your day with one of the many performances at the Millennium Theater, Rainbow Dinner Theater, or the American Music Theater.
Sundays
Sunday is the quiet day here in the county. Pretty much anything Mennonite or Amish run will be closed. Buggies wend their way through the back roads to and from church services or visiting. Today is a good day to visit some of the museums in the county. Most are open from noon to 5. The Ephrata Cloister is fascinating and has several programs throughout the year. My favorite is the Christmas Lantern Tours and Christmas at the Cloister, both in December. These require tickets and advance reservations.
President Buchannans home, Wheatland  is open for tours as well.
 Landis Valley Museum, is a living history village and farm, which collects, preserves and interprets the history and material culture of the Pennsylvania German rural community from 1740 to 1940.  Also open 12-5 on Sundays and well worth a visit.
End your day with dinner at one of the amazing restaurants close by. We love Lily’s on Main in Ephrata or the General Sutter Inn on the square in Lititz.
Monday
We love telling guests about the New Holland horse auction that takes place on Monday’s.  This is not a tourist attraction and cameras are not allowed. Many Amish go here to purchase new carriage or work horses. It is fascinating and we will be happy to give you directions.  Monday’s  are also wash day in Amish country and touring through the farmlands is beautiful no matter what the time of year.  This is a good day to visit the outlets as they are far less busy than later in the week.
Tuesday
Year round farmers markets include Lancaster’s Central Market open on Tuesday. Schedule a visit to the Quilt Museum just next door while you are there.  Lancaster also offers walking tours and boasts some excellent restaurants. Like other small cities it is filled with small shops and interesting things to do.  The Fulton Opera House boasts some excellent performances year round.
The other farmers market that is only open on Tuesday is Roots. This is an outdoor/indoor market chock full of excellent stands.  Just south of Manheim it is a short drive from the Inn.   On your way back to the Inn a visit to Waltz Vineyard just west of Manheim. We love Waltz wines! Their wine tasting room is beautiful and bright, the perfect spot to spend a few winter hours. Be sure to try their award winning Fusion wine.
Wednesday
Outdoor activities abound in northern Lancaster County all year round.  Take an afternoon to hike the trails behind the Inn, or at Middle Creek Wildlife Preserve just a short drive from us.  At the end of January, beginning of February through the middle of March you can enjoy the migration of the snow geese and tundra swans.  Not just a few but tens of thousands of them find their way north with a stop at Middle Creek.  Several hundred overnight here at our own Speedwell Forge Lake, but the really impressive  flocks are just a short drive away at Middle Creek. Bring your camera!  Bikers love this area and we have access to cue sheets to help you find your best route. Covered Brideges are scattered throughout this part of the county and make a beautiful tour. End your day at the Boars Head Pub in Lititz for one of their incredible craft beers on tap. Jeff, the bartender will help you find the  perfect one to go with your traditional pub fare .  What a great place to spend a wintery evening!
Thursday
Wow are we through a whole week already? I have barely touched the list of all there is to do here in the county.  Today would be a great day to take a short 25 min drive to Hershey if you want  to visit Chocolatetown USA, or for a closer chocolate fix a trip to Wilber’s right here in Lititz is in order. Home of the Wilber bud they have a wonderful chocolate museum and great outlet store for your Christmas and Valentines day needs. Down the street you will want to stop in at the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Factory and try your hand at twisting a pretzel. Do a good job and you will come away with a certificate to hang on your wall.  For more pretzel fun we can send you to a small Mennonite run pretzel bakery where they still stand around tables twisting pretzels and singing.  Out to dinner and why not end your day with a nice hot cup of coffee in front of our roaring fireplace.

I have not even scratched the surface of all there is to do. Check out the Area section of our website for links and more events and things to see and do.  Every month is filled with special events, theater preformances, concerts,  and tours.  Werner and I have innkeeping for 25 years and we love to map out days tailored to what you, our guest want to experience.  I hope you have enjoyed your armchair week in Lancaster County, Why not come for a visit?

Forcasting the winter

Much folklore surrounds predicting the amount of snowfall one can expect in the upcoming winter If the band on the black and red catapiller is broad, not so hard, if it is a thin line, very hard winter.  If the acorns are big and plentiful, hard winter, and the list goes on and on.. I must say I enjoy listening to the speculation as we go into fall and wonder what we can expect. I have my own harbinger of prediction that has a really good success rate. I look out and see how Werner's woods stacking is going. The more wood stacked, covered and ready, the harder the winter promises to be.

One stack of MANY

Well I have news for you. I cannot remember a time that there has been more wood, split and stacked than there is this year. Every available corner, wall, overhang.. you name it, is filled with beautiful oak, poplar, maple and chestnut. Werner has the most beautiful wood piles I have ever seen. Guests comment on them, take pictures of them, ask him for lesson on how to do them.. they are just perfect.
And as precise as a barometer.
So, if  setteling in next to our roaring fire and knitting, reading, taking or even napping sounds like a great idea, make your plans now to visit us when the snow flies!
During Sept, October and November we keep the fires burning on the patio in our very popular fire pit. December onward the main fireplace takes over and is the place to be.