Fulton Theater, Lancaster PA:  "The Grand Old Lady of Prince Street" The Fulton Theater, also known as the Fulton Opera House, is thought to be the oldest continuously operating theater in the USA.  It first opened in 1852 as Fulton Hall, named after Lancaster County's Robert Fulton, the renowned steam engine pioneer.  Fulton Hall was built on the site of Lancaster's former pre-revolutionary jail, the site where the infamous Paxtang Boys gang had massacred the last of the Conestoga Indians, who were being held there for their own protection.  The exterior wall of the old jail's courtyard was built into the rear wall of the Fulton. The first concert at Fulton Hall was by the famed violinist Ole Bull.  Since then, a host of top entertainers and artists have played the Fulton:  dramatic ac... 05/15/2007

Musser Park, located between North Lime, East Chestnut, North Shippen and East Marion Streets in Lancaster, has been closed for renovations since November, 2006.  The park has been fenced off during the renovation work.  The $550,000. project is being financed through a combination of public and private money, with about three quarters of it being funded by the city.For sidewalk curbstone, the Musser Park Civic Association will be using Belgian block found at the location of the Clipper Magazine Stadium.  This same type of stone was used in some of the early stone houses of colonial Lancaster.The landscaping will include new walkways across a previously open area, new lighting, grass, fencing, and a new rubberized surface for the playground.          Musser Park became a public park in ... 05/13/2007

I have to say that I have the absolutely best Mother.  She endlessly and selflessly gives so much to me and my family.  Never complaining - just doing - and never asking for anything in return.  I hope that I have become the type of woman that she is, and that I never cease to remember to give so much of myself as she does. Last week, she made a homecooked meal - Pastichio for those who know what Greek food is - and overnighted it to my son away at college.  He was thrilled.  I've gone so far as sending him a care package of favorite snacks and groceries, and money of course (lots of money!) - but not overnighting a homecooked meal.  So, I'm not exactly like my mother.... yet.  But I'm working on it.      She and my dad moved to Lancaster to be closer to us (we are originally from New Y... 05/13/2007

Refer to my first article on firsts, bests, biggest, and oldest for some interesting tidbits on the long and colorful history of Lancaster County, PA past and present.  To continue...Lebzelter's, on the 300 block of North Queen Street, Lancaster, is the oldest Goodyear Tire dealer in the world!  (Established 1854, and a Goodyear representative since 1900.)The Sertoma Club annual Chicken Barbecue at Long's Park in Lancaster is the largest in the world! (Over 35,000 chickens barbecued and sold each year.)Incidentally, Pennsylvania has the fourth largest printing market in the U.S. - after California, New York and Illinois.  And little old Lancaster is the third largest printing market in Pennsylvania - after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh!Did you know that Pennsylvania has more roads than an... 05/10/2007

2007 --  Celebrate Spring by meeting your fellow Manheim Township neighbors at the Overlook Campus (off of Fruitville Pike).  This is the third annual Spring Fling being held by the Manheim Township Commissioners.  Saturday, May 12th from 11am to 3pm, you and your family can enjoy complimentary miniature golf at Overlook Falls (pictured left) and take a Red Rose Trolley ride of the campus.  Bring Fido or Rover along for a playtime at the Overlook dog park.  There will be an ice cream eating contest and free ice cream (can't beat that!), and music courtesy of a local radio station.  Food will be sold courtesy of Barny's, the restaurant in the restored barn in the Overlook Campus. Evening activities are also planned for the adults of the Manheim Township community, featuring a jazz band a... 05/10/2007

The first friday of every month, Lancaster City comes alive with the sound of groups of  walkers around the arts district along King, Queen & Prince streets.  Folks driving by might well wonder "what's going on here?".  No, it's not a performance at the Fulton, although the events may coincide.  What's going on is First Fridays, where galleries and shops stay open late to exhibit artwork, antiques and curios of all sorts.  Sponsored by the excellent Lancaster Arts, the event is going full steam this year.   Don't forget dinner; several local restaurants are open, ranging from Carrs at Central Market to Prince Street Cafe, for a light snack and great coffee.  If you are looking to expand your art horizons, this is a great exposure!  Meet the artists, many of whom are on hand to talk abo... 05/08/2007

Manheim Township is a large area extending north from Lancaster City along 4 major arteries: Fruitville Pike to the west, Lititz Pike, Oregon Pike and New Holland Pike on the east.  The main freeway (222) to the PA Turnpike and Reading also runs through Manheim Township.  This area is one of the oldest settled in Lancaster County, and boasts many pristine neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and green parks.  The largest park is Overlook, a complex near the center of the township with a pool, golf course, restaurant and many other attractions.  Landis Woods Park, a great walking trail and home to an annual outdoor art show, is just off Lititz Pike near the small hamlet of Neffsville.  Also near Neffsville is the Manheim Twp park, with lots of picnic spots and trails, where an annual ca... 05/08/2007

I was fortunate enough to take a drive through Pequea Township yesterday in Lancaster County PA. Pequea Township is located in the Penn Manor School District, and is located south of Lancaster City. I forget how much I love this rural area of beautiful Lancaster County.  Travelling south on Route 272 (Willow Street Pike) , I turned west onto Truce Road.  I know there were quicker ways to get to the address I was visiting, but to me this was the more direct route.  By the way, watch out for the road construction on 272.  What is normally a pleasant drive turned out to be a bit of a knuckle-clencher, as the lanes are narrowed down thus forcing you to drive half on the road and half on the shoulder!  Still, once I turned off of 272 onto Truce Road I was able to relax and enjoy the "show". ... 05/08/2007

Makeover of a Historic Lancaster PA Log Home I have always been enthusiastic about historic architectural styles and American history.  In my career, I have personally restored 12 historic homes in Lancaster County, saving two from demolition.  So it was was with great excitement that I showed this eighteenth-century Lancaster log home to one of my best clients, whom I have helped to purchased four previous investment properties. My client was as enthusiastic as I was, and together we put together an offer.  After some negotiation, we got the property under agreement.  It needs to be restored, as there are considerable problems with the roof, heating system, rain gutters, and two additions to the rear which had fallen into disrepair.  The previous owners had done some work on it, but wo... 05/07/2007

I was out and about today, and saw some really beautiful sights all around Lancaster County.  Springtime here truly is amazing...the green is popping out everywhere, and blossoms of all colors are dropping their rainbow-like petals on the streets and yards.  Here is a photo of East Orange street in Lancaster City for your viewing pleasure - note the light purple petals covering the sidewalk.  This row of stately homes have an added feature - sidewalk benches for chatting with your neighbor - try finding THAT in the suburbs...For more Lancaster PA Real Estate news click here. 05/05/2007

Looking for something to do for a few hours this Sunday in Lancaster County?   Here is where you can find the Coldwell Banker Homesale Services Group list of Open Houses for Sunday, May 6th. Click Here ---->  Open House Search You can search by school district, price, etc.           Have a great day!  And if you are out and about, stop by my open house  at 219 Settlers Bend in Manheim Township, between 1 - 3pm, and say hello!                -------------- For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home in Lancaster County PA, please contact Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com. Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a membe... 05/05/2007

 As part of the Lancaster Revitalization Project of 1997, the Convention Center might as well have been called the CONTENTION Center for all the political wrangling that has been going on - but for all the obstacles that needed to be overcome before starting the $170M project, it's finally under way!                    The facade of the Watt & Shand department store, an 1898 terra cotta and marble Beaux Arts masterpiece on Penn Square designed by the famous architect Emlen Urban, has been preserved and will continue to be an iconic landmark of Lancaster.  The Convention Center, including a Mariott Hotel, is scheduled to open in 2008, and will be a significant addition to other recent revitalization projects in Lancaster, including Clipper Stadium, the Lancaster Quilt Museum, thre Pennsy... 05/04/2007

The revitalization of Lancaster City continues!  On the heels of the wildly successful Clipper Stadium, the joint projects between Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster General Hospital to build a sports complex and nurses' dorms, and the Lancaster Convention Center, come four new economic development projects, backed by $3 million in state loans plus private funds.The old post office building at Prince and Chestnut Streets will undergo a $7.3 million conversion to become the new headquarters for Auntie Anne's Pretzel Company.A Frederick Street project by the Radnor Property Group would convert a late-1800's tobacco warehouse and a 1904 office building into a daycare center and offices.  The North Prince Street project will convert a 100-year-old former Swisher tobacco warehouse int... 04/30/2007

It's going to be a busy weekend in Downtown Lancaster City!  The YWCA for the past 8 years has been organizing their Race Against Racism event.  This will be their 9th race, in order to unite people of all races and ages to demonstrate their commitment to racial equality. With the net proceeds generated, the YWCA funds new and existing programs that are dedicated to eliminating racism.  This includes a school curriculum teaching children the importance of celebrating our differences as well as recognizing our similarities.   There might be some areas of downtown Lancaster City you will want to avoid if you are heading in that direction.  Or, you can park the car and join the race!   Details:                                                                                                 ... 04/28/2007

Well, I've tried my first attempt at staging this past week, and so far it has been pretty exciting.  I don't have any formal staging or decorating experience yet, other than doing my own house which I receive many compliments on.  But I've had this vacant house for sale in Manheim Township, Lancaster PA just sitting there on the market -- and it's really a beautiful house -- but it showed absolutely no personality with it's bare rooms and walls.  Luckily for me, my client just happens to be able to obtain furniture at a reasonable cost, so we went to work!  We only did two rooms just to get a feel for what it would look like.  The family room looks great (compared to what it was!) and turned into a fun place to "hang out".  Beforehand, it was white walls and light carpet, and nothing w... 04/26/2007