Publisher’s Letter

Flowers in bloom! Birds singing! Kids playing outside! And weddings! It’s April! At County Lines, we’re celebrating spring!

Sparkling fairy tale, simple ceremony or an event like no other, modern weddings are personal statements. See how wedding gowns, shoes, flowers, jewelry and photos are being used to reflect couples and their lives in “Weddings with Perfect, Personal Touches” by Carol Metzker. Also see our “Wedding Style” and “Guide to Wedding Venues & Services” for more ideas.

And to get yourself in the mood for nuptials (or for another celebration), choose a “Signature Drink.” Elizabeth Hughes has collected four, but you can invent your own.

Though destination parties are still popular, more brides and bridesmaids are opting for less expensive options. Shannon Montgomery in “Brilliant Bachelorette Parties” has several ideas for letting loose locally. She says you can mix and match activities to create your perfect bachelorette party.

With stunning views in every direction, this Home of the Month is a unique family compound in a tranquil corner of East Fallowfield Township. On 180 acres, the property has a main house, pool, attached carriage house, guest house, two barns and caretaker’s cottage. “El Brio,” reports Laurel Anderson, affords its next owners a very special country or equestrian lifestyle.

Azaleas! They are the “Highlight of a Mid-Atlantic Spring.” Victoria Laubach of Welkinweir ought to know. She takes you on a tour — a breathtaking display of color ranging from soft pastels to vivid pinks, reds and purples — of Welkinweir’s Azalea Lane.

Although Lancaster County may be best known as one of the oldest Amish communities in the country, in “Lancaster Unplugged,” Cara Corridoni finds a surprising amount of activity for modern families going on. From back-in-time tours to roller-coaster thrills, miniature horses, ziplines and putt-putt golf, Lancaster County has something for every family vacation style. Not only that, it’s an easy drive from our area.

For years, I’d heard — and wondered — about them. This year, I finally went. Quilts, Amish crafts and furniture, antiques, carriages, farm supplies, whoopie pies, pretzels … Join me! I’m “Off to the Mud Sales.”

Brandywine Table writer, Courtney Diener-Stokes, talked with a country-inspired event planner, Terrain Events, about menus using local providers and a garden-centric approach. In “Feasting & Foraging in the Field,” she offers some fresh recipes to try at home.

Fear of going to the dentist affects nearly one in every five Americans. One-third of these patients can be classified as having an extreme fear. Even the thought of going in for a routine dental exam can lead to increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, sweating and physical illness. Dr. David J. Montgomery of Chester County Family Dentistry describes “Dental Anxiety” and what can be done about it.

Our Best Local Events section is filled with things to do for you and your family this month.

Hopefully, you already have County Lines delivered to your mailbox. Save it for future reference. At CountyLinesMagazine.com, you can read the April issue online. At Issuu.com, you can read the digital issue. Or click Get a Copy on our website to find locations to pick up a print copy.

We hope you’d like to subscribe to County Lines. Do it on our website or call 610-918-9300. For single issues, try Wellington Square Bookshop, Main Point Books, or Reads & Co. Bookstore. Visiting an advertiser is also a great — and free — way to find copies!

Ed Malet, Publisher

610-918-9300

Weddings with Perfect, Personal Touches

Every detail of your wedding weekend tells a story of love, family and friends. The park where you proposed. The wedding cake with your favorite flavors. Mother’s gown or veil. Flowers from local farms. A custom design for the bride’s jewelry. Perfect, personal touches leave a lasting reminder that “I do” is just the beginning.

Off to the Mud Sales

Drive west. Follow the buggies. No, they’re not selling wet dirt at these sales. At the end of your journey into Lancaster County, among the Amish and their farmhouses, at fire stations in Strasburg, Pennryn and other towns, you’ll find a sale happening. Handmade quilts, carriages, farm equipment and supplies, landscape plants, antique furniture and crafts for sale at auction … and food! Whoopie pies, grilled chicken and more. The auctioneer is talking fast. Better get your bids in!

Lancaster Unplugged

While Lancaster retains its reputation as a sleepy destination bound to another time, there’s a surprising amount of activity going on there. Try a hike on a river trail, a bike trip over its covered bridges, or kayaking on the river itself. Minor league baseball is another option. There are many places to shoot a round of miniature golf. See wolves in the wild. For thrills, visit theme parks and ziplines. Erudite travelers will enjoy the museums. And your appetites can be satisfied at ice cream and pretzel factories.