The flowers and trees are blooming and the weather is getting warmer. If you are looking to get outside for a breath of fresh air, how about a trip to NorloPark, located at 3050 Lincoln Way E. Fayetteville, right outside of Chambersburg?
Norlo Park offers beautiful natural areas, vast open spaces, and rich historic heritage. Once a dairy farm, known as Norlo Farm, was owned by the Sollenberger family for more than 130 years, with 143 acres of gently rolling farm land dissected by the English Valley Run, in the Village of Fayetteville.
On September 17, 1998, the Guilford Township Supervisors purchased Norlo Farm from N. Lane and Judy K. Sollenberger for the purpose of creating a public park.
Grab your family and head there for a game of horseshoes or kick the soccer ball around. Take the dog for a walk or let him/her enjoy playing in the dog park–one for large dogs and one for small. There is plenty of open space for kids to run and play. Or, it is great to just stroll around the park, enjoying the beauty of South Mountain. Or visit the Conococheague Audubon’s Native Plants Garden. The birds and pollinators enjoy it! Then, visit the restored railroad station and cars to learn a little bit of Cumberland Valley Railroad history.
Hungry? Then get take-out from Grace Pizza, Mexican/Southwestern cuisine, on Lincoln Way East and enjoy a “ready-made picnic” under one of pavilions the park has to offer.
Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) showcases fresh food and great dining in Franklin Fresh Food & Dining Guide. Franklin County has an abundance of freshness to share. The county ranks second in vegetable production in the state, is home to the Chambersburg peach, and yields 850 million pounds of milk annually. With such a variety of fresh foods, foodies love Franklin County.
Franklin Fresh Food & Dining Guide includes listings of farm stands, farmers markets, and honey producers plus a guide to local restaurants. The publication is a great way to plan a “foodie tour” of Franklin County and take home some of the fresh foods from farmers markets, cheese makers, and creameries to enjoy a little longer. The 2019-2020 Franklin Fresh Food & Dining Guide includes a “Sweet Trail,” highlighting ice cream, chocolate and candy stops across the county. It even throws in a few favorite recipes, ways to eat more plant-based meals, and tips on growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Franklin County’s agricultural past is showcased in the Cumberland Valley Bank Barn and the new Stitches in Time Barn Quilt Trail, both topics of the newest edition of Franklin Fresh. Food is an essential part of every trip, and Franklin County food is a reason to visit. Plan ahead by checking out the publication online here. Or, contact the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 866.646.8060 to receive a printed publication.
With the support of local quilters, Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) is starting Stitches in Time: A Barn Quilt Trail as another way to explore Franklin County. At the heart of the Cumberland Valley, Franklin County became home to thousands of German and Swiss farmers, who built the well-known bank barns of the valley. Using replicas of quilt squares on the barns or historic sites, Stitches in Time spotlights agricultural history, architecture, and the beauty of the county’s farm land. The trail will bring together quilters, artists, and history enthusiasts to tell the special stories of Franklin County.
Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) is seeking county property owners with existing barn squares and property owners who want to host a barn square. In addition to barns and sites of history, the barn quilt squares can be affixed to homes, landmarks, or businesses. Property owners can select a classic quilt square design, create their own, or seek support from quilters and artists working with FCVB.
The quilt squares are painted on plywood with exterior paint and can be 2-ft. x 2-ft., 4-ft.x4-ft., or 8-ft. x 8-ft. Larger squares are used when properties are further from the road, so the quilt square is visible. FCVB is also seeking individual artists and groups of artists to paint the squares.
FCVB hopes to launch the trail in October in conjunction with the move to its new location, the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center on the square in downtown Chambersburg. FCVB plans a fall tour of the trail.
A new four-week session of Beginner Ballroom Classes in the barn at Allison-Antrim Museum, 365 South Ridge Avenue, Greencastle will begin on Wednesday, September 30, from 7 to 9 pm. The rhythms that will be studied are the Fox Trot, Waltz, and Tango. All rhythms will be taught at the bronze beginner level, with basic steps always reviewed during the first class.
The fee is $40/person for the four-week session, prepaid the first class. Checks may be made out to AAMI (Allison-Antrim Museum, Inc.). If the session is extended beyond four weeks, the per-class cost will be $10/person. Please wear shoes with solid soles that glide easily on the floor. The barn’s floor is wood and provides the best possible surface for dancing.
A new Intermediate Silver Level Ballroom Class will begin Tuesday evening, September 29, from 7 to 9 pm, with Fox Trot, Waltz, and Tango rhythms also being taught. Students will learn how step combinations common to one rhythm can also be adapted in another dance rhythm.
The proceeds from the ballroom classes help cover the overhead costs of the barn. For more information, visit www.greencastlemuseum.org, on Facebook, on Twitter @greencastlemuzm, or by calling 717-597-9325.
