Pennsylvania

Presidential Past Issue: Spring/Summer 2012 Author(s): Gerald Bartell That the home and farm of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower stands adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield is some sort of metaphor. Throughout his eight years in office, the 34th president of the United States often sought refuge here from the battles of Washington, finding tranquility looking over the rolling farmland (where he raised Black Angus cattle) to the distant hills. Visitors may now tour the home, which the Eisenhowers bought in 1948 and lived in intermittently during Eisenhower’s presidency and pe...

A Family-Friendly Gamble Issue: Spring/Summer 2012 Author(s): Claudia Taller Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie, Pennsylvania , is relatively new to the landscape west of the city. The monolithic building is imposing, but inside, it’s all about fun. Whether you gamble on horses or dice, Presque Isle’s casino provides a way to take a risk. Brave souls will try the table games, while those willing to lose only a few dollars will pull the handles on the slot machines. Try Zelda’s for an elegant drink that would make Fitzgerald happy, and Trackside Buffet for Vegas-style dining. ...

I Scream, You Scream Issue: Spring/Summer 2012 Author(s): Gerald Bartell Lessons in Lancaster County agriculture probably don’t come any sweeter than the ones at the Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia, Pennsylvania . Here, it’s all about the namesake ice cream and the iced tea. The Turkey Hill dairy began in 1931, eventually becoming a source for dairy products sold around the country. The Turkey Hill Experience, which opened last year, details the company’s growth and its methods for making the dessert that’s synonymous with summer. High and wide windows, originally providi...

Decisive Battleground Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Claudia Taller One of the most important historical events in American history took place in Adams County, Pennsylvania , just north of the Maryland border. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, when Union forces defeated the Confederate General Robert E. Lee on July 1–3, 1863. And today, the story can be heard on an air-conditioned bus, during a self-guided auto audio tour, on a guided car tour, on foot, or by bicycle. As for the most authentic way to explore the 40 miles of battlefield roads...

Chocolate Spa...Aaah Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Traci L. Suppa When you think Hershey, you typically think “kid stuff” — a slab of chocolate nestled between two marshmallow-y grahams, a surprise Kiss hidden inside a Valentine’s Day card, a chocolate reward for a job well done. But at the luxurious Chocolate Spa in Hershey, Pennsylvania , you’ll find treats that are a little more grown up. Located within the Hotel Hershey, the Chocolate Spa offers a full range of traditional body treatments, including hydrotherapy, massage, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures ...

Savor the Flavor Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Jackie Perrin At Reading Terminal Market , families can sample a taste of Philadelphia , from cheese steak and whoopie pies to hand-twisted pretzels, and then embark on a worldwide culinary tour. Established in 1892, the Center City landmark is a year-round destination for tourists as well as locals, providing a good dose of culture along with a feast for the senses. More than 80 vendors, from Amish and Italian bakeries to Middle Eastern, Thai, Cajun and southern U.S. specialty shops, present a global smorgasbord of t...

Be a Sport Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Gerald Bartell Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions have held the spotlight for decades at Penn State with thrilling, championship seasons. But sports at PSU go way beyond the gridiron — all the way back to 1882, in fact, when a Penn State team took to a baseball diamond. To experience what’s happened in the intervening years, visit Penn State’s All-Sports Museum , tucked into a corner of Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania . You’ll see that Penn State has been home to 29 sports, ranging from boxing and basketball t...

Objects of Affection Issue: Spring/Summer 2011 Author(s): Gerald Bartell With its slim walls and aluminum-trimmed windows, the exterior of the Maridon Museum in Butler, Pennsylvania , takes you back to the 1950s when the building housed a car dealership. Behind the modern, glass facade, you’ll discover artifacts that take you back more than 4,000 years. The Maridon Museum houses a vast and diverse collection of art works that once belonged to Butler native Mary Hulton Phillips. She began collecting in the late 1960s with a philosophy that bespoke her easygoing attitude — buy ...