Be a kid again; enjoy the wonder of Tiny World in Shippensburg this holiday season. This tiny town has everything that life-sized towns have, including town hall, schoolhouse, church, fire station, shops of Main Street, Victorian houses, log homes, general store, train depot, and gas station. More than twenty structures make Tiny World a great place to spark the imaginations of young and old.
During the holiday season, Tiny World transforms to a winter wonderland as the sun sets. Open Monday through Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday 5 PM until 10 PM and Sunday 5 PM to 9 PM, Tiny World is an easy drive off Route 11 on Rice Road in Shippensburg and will remain decorated for the holidays through the first week of January.
In 1985, Ernest Helm retired and devoted his energy to creating “Tiny World.” The first structure was a Victorian-style “cat house” for the enjoyment of felines who roamed his property. It wasn’t long before an entire town took shape, and a retired man’s hobby become a roadside attraction.
Today, Helm’s daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Wendell Myers, are Tiny World’s caretakers. Everything is as authentic as possible. Although the small structures can be seen throughout the year, a holiday visit is extra special.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Tiny World also appreciates contributions of lights and decorations to keep the town well-adorned for future holiday seasons.
Tiny Town is just one of many places–large and small–to explore in Franklin County for holiday fun.
Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites the public to Penn National Golf Center on September 15, 4 PM to 9 PM, for the music of Stable Shakers and the messages of citizens, leaders, and officials, talking about the proposed 29-mile, 230 kV-electric line project. The outdoor concert is being held just off Orchard Drive in Fayetteville at Penn National Golf Course’s driving range. Food trucks will be onsite, and Penn National will have free mini golf for the kids. Tickets are $20 at the gate.
Hailing from the very farmlands that are impacted by the power line project, Stable Shakers guitarist and songwriter Spencer Pheil realized the sacrifice of Franklin County. With five to seven, 13.5-story towers proposed to mark each mile of the project, Pheil’s concern spurred him to join forces with the local group standing up and speaking out about the damaging consequences of such a project. Working with Penn National Golf Course Community, Pheil thought delivering the message with the self-described “twang jazz” sounds of Stable Shakers would go a long way to building a stronger awareness of the project and solidify the importance of saving the county’s land and lifestyle. Also performing at the benefit is blues rock band Ding.
The high-power line project also impacts York County PA and Washington and Harford Counties, MD. Not a redundancy project or one to provide electric to citizens and businesses without power, it is a market efficiency project that will implement eminent domain, if approved, to acquire land from property owners in Franklin and York Counties PA and Washington and Harford Counties, MD with the intent of trying to provide an unguaranteed cost-saving to electric users in northern VA, Baltimore, and Washington DC.
Stop PA Power Lines Benefit is fun with a purpose. Anyone unable to attend and wanting to find out more about the project impacts, can visit thinkfranklincountypa.com or can donate at GoFundMe.
The Downtown Business Council (DBC) and Council for the Arts of Chambersburg present the September First Friday celebration, “Fido’s First Friday”, sponsored by Noelker & Hull, on Friday September 7th from 5-8 pm in downtown Chambersburg. For more information, call (717) 658-4372 or find the Downtown Business Council of Chambersburg and the Council for the Arts-Chambersburg on Facebook. Artists interested in participating should call 717-816-7568.
Chambersburg’s Courthouse Plaza will be the center of activity for Fido’s First Friday, with music by Tresa Day and Soleil, and Dog Contests that will include Best Dressed, Cutest Face and “Animal’s Got Talent”. First Friday participants are encouraged to sign up their dog that evening and compete for prizes, with contests starting at 6:30. Also on the Courthouse Plaza will be a kids’ craft table and a Protection for Paws display.
Kindly Canines of Chambersburg will bring therapy dogs and information about their program to Fido’s First Friday. This group is an all-volunteer group of handlers with kind, gentle dogs that “make life a little better for people of all ages and needs”. Pet-related businesses will be featured as well: Perky Paws, Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, Vintage Hounds Grooming Salon and Paw Spa Grooming. Also represented will be Operation Save a Vet, Save a Pet; Community Uniting and Boy Scout Troop 128.
On the Northwest (Square One) quadrant of the Square, Creatures Great and Small will entertain visitors with a Small Animals Petting Zoo.
Other activities continue throughout downtown. First Friday participants are encouraged to stop by the Foundry, 100 South Main Street to see the exhibit “Dream It, Draw It: Whimsical Animals by Carrie Dietrich”; and Council for the Arts, 81 North Main Street, to meet and view the artwork of Cindy Haden Baker, Jean Frey and Janette Koons in their exhibit “A Brush with Nature”. Well-behaved dogs are welcome!
Franklin County Visitors Bureau is highlighting February as National Black History Month, Library Lover’s Month, and Great American Pie Month. Of course, on the surface, it may seem there is nothing that these celebrations have in common. But, all of these celebrations bring attention to February, and all are strong focuses for Franklin County PA.
Black History Month is an annual focal point of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau. In 2018, the visitor bureau recommends viewing its Road to Freedom video to understand how important the area was as a route for escaping enslaved. The video can be viewed here. In addition, Franklin County Visitors Bureau recommends the Franklin County Historical Society’s presentation by author, pastor, and teacher Ed Maliskas on his book, “John Brown to James Brown – The Little Farm Where Liberty Budded, Blossomed, and Boogied” on Saturday, February 24 from 1-3pm. Maliskas will discuss the story of a small farm in Washington County from which John Brown led his famous raid. The property was later purchased by the Black Elks and hosted dances featuring James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and many other famous artists. Appropriately, the event will take place at the John Brown House on 225 East King Street in Chambersburg, which was the northern headquarters of John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry. Maliskas will have copies of his book for sale.
Library Lovers Month is a must-celebrate for Franklin County PA. The county is home to more than a dozen libraries—from county-supported libraries, community libraries, bookmobiles, college libraries, and Little Free Libraries. It is a good month to visit libraries, support with donations, and volunteer time. For Franklin County, the newly renovated Coyle Free Library in downtown Chambersburg is an asset to local residents and a welcome destination for visitors to Franklin County.
Finally, with the fresh fruit of Franklin County, celebrating February as Great American Pie Month is easy to understand. Throughout February, Franklin County Visitors Bureau plans to offer its favorite pie recipes on Facebook.com/FCVBen, incorporating the fresh fruits of Franklin County such as peaches, apples, blueberries, raspberries, pears, and even a delicious milk pie to recognize Franklin County cows are the second highest producers of milk in PA.
Explore Franklin County PA and celebrate Black History Month, Library Lovers Month, and Great American Pie Month. Enjoy trails of history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods, and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Explore more here or contact 866.646.8060 for help putting together your visit.
Destinations ARTS! is off to a strong start for the new year. All events are free unless otherwise indicated. Special activities and performances are indicated below. For more information, please visit www.artsalliancegw.org or contact artsalliancegw@gmail.com.
Musical performances at Destination ARTS! are supported in part by the Arts for All Partnership, a collaboration between the Foundation for Enhancing Communities and the Cultural Enrichment Fund, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Jan. 3, 2018 – Oil Painting Class: 12 to 3 p.m. 42 West ARTS Co-Op – 42 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Join Donna Bingaman at her weekly painting class every Wednesday while Patric Schlee provides ambient music designed to inspire! Students benefits from Bingaman’s personal instruction and 40 years of experience. Each class is $15. For more info, call 717-762-8394.
Jan. 3, 2018 – Writer’s Forum: 6:30 p.m. Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library, 45 E Main St, Waynesboro, PA. Writers of all genres are welcome to join the monthly Writers Forum, meeting on the second-floor classroom of the library. The theme this month is the trials and tribulations and joys of aging. For information on how to join the group, please contact Jerry Kowallis at 717-352-8059 or gk6684@netscape.net.
The Writers Forum meets on the first Wednesday of each month to share contributions that usually pertain to a selected subject. After the initial ‘round and round’ contributors can share works on other subjects—be it prose, memoirs, or storytelling. Visitors are welcome, as well as ideas for future meetings.
Jan. 4, 2018 – Oil Painting Demonstration: 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery 50 – 50 W. Main St, Waynesboro, PA. Gallery 50 Curator and Director Marjorie Tressler will be conducting an oil painting demonstration featuring a large landscape. While there, visitors should check our Winter White display with Samantha the Snow Queen and artwork featuring winter scenes.
Jan. 5, 2018 – Musical Demonstration: 5:30 to 8 p.m. 42 West ARTS Co-Op – 42 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Patric Schlee will entertain visitors with a variety of musical instruments, including the didgeridoo, flute, and drums. While there, enjoy pieces from January’s featured artist, Terry Lynn Benson, which include oil paintings, photographs, and photo & document restoration work. Wine and light refreshments served. For more information, contact the co-op at 717-762-8394.
Jan. 5, 2018 – Live Music Friday: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Music Makers – 46 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Popular singer/songwriter Jon Ingels will be performing his blend of bluegrass, rock, and blues music. Wine and light refreshments served. For more information, visit www.artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500.
Jon Ingels is a singer/songwriter from Waynesboro, PA and has written songs and performed with several local groups, including the Boro Boogie Pickers. Ingles’ lyrical content is a mixture of storytelling and geographic imagery backed by folk chord patterns, simple melodies, and blues-driven rhythm.
Jan. 6, 2018 – Rock ’N Swap: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Music Makers – 46 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Free admission for shoppers to this big indoor musical yard sale! Shop for instruments, amps, audio/visual equipment, CDs, records and other musical goodness! Have just a couple items to swap or sell? No registration needed, just stop by with them. More info: contact Jonathan Ingels at 717-762-7131.
Jan. 6, 2018 – Book Binding Demonstration: 1 to 3 p.m. 42 West ARTS Co-Op – 42 W. Main St., Pamela Soaring Raven demonstrates the basic techniques of book binding, including the use of templates, sewing with waxed linen thread, preparing the text block, creating a solid case cover, and putting the text block and cover together. For more information, contact the co-op at 717-762-8394.
Jan. 7, 2018 – Drum Circle: 2 to 3:30 p.m. 42 West ARTS Co-Op – 42 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Enjoy the rhythm and fun of a drum circle with Patric Schlee. No experience necessary. Bring your own drums or use one of the co-op’s. For more information, contact the co-op at 717-762-8394.
Jan. 8, 2018 – Painting Class: 12 to 3 p.m. Gallery 50 – 50 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Join Marjorie Tressler for a painting class for artists of all ability levels. $65 for 6 classes, which you attend at your own flexibility. For more info, contact Marjorie at 717-762-6791 or at marjorietressler@comcast.net.
Jan. 8, 2018 – Songwriters Workshop: 6:30 p.m. Music Makers – 46 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Participants encouraged to write a song, lyrics, or instrumental piece to share, using the chosen prompt for the month. This month the prompt is “That Butt, Though.” The prompt is a starting point for your song. It may be used as the song title, a lyric, or simply as inspiration for your song. All genres welcome. For more info, contact Jonathan Ingels at jkingels@gmail.com or 717-762-7131.
