Vogt Farm Bed and Breakfast

College Graduations in Lancaster County

Innkeeper — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:49:22 +0000

When I stop and think that our small county as four colleges, that seems like a lot. Of course, the graduations take place in a very few weeks so the county is full but really not of tourists but parents and family to celebrate.

Two of my children chose not to go to their graduations. I was disappointed because they worked so hard to achieve the goal. Every family handles college differently, our girls knew as soon as they could understand that they would be paying their college. One saved faithfully, one said she’s getting married even though she was accepted at Penn State, she eventually went and spent 22 years getting her degree. Number 3 said she hated school and wasn’t going to college. Then after the first semester she met with her high school friends and realized that in 4 years they would have a degree to build on, so she decided to study nutrition and got her degree. The last didn’t save anything and applied at Drexel University, at that time it was 23K a year. She did it with honors.

Sundays in Lancaster County

Innkeeper — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:57:51 +0000

Sundays in Lancaster County can be what you want it to be. You can go to church (we will help you find the denomination you prefer) and worship, and enjoy a day of leisure. There are many attractions open, contrary to preconceived ideas, so you can be as active you desire. I personally do the worship and leisure. Sometimes that means a trip to the river to watch the water flow-by, that is sort of like watching paint dry but it works to calm my soul. We have a trail that follows the river’s edge, another great way to enjoy nature and do it at your pace. Back to those attractions; a buggy ride, an Amish house tour, Hershey Park (see our special), museums etc. I’ll be glad to help you plan.

A Time to Plant

Innkeeper — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:31:49 +0000

…for everything there is a season….and it is time to plant. Driving around the countryside I see the plowing is getting done and some places the gardens are all worked to plant. The neighbors will soon be putting in peas and onions. The Vogts, however, haven’t even worked the garden yet . Our Amish neighbors use hoop greenhouses all year long. I found out they supply a CSA near Philadelphia. I wonder how the hooked up with each other? Some other neighbors have been growing things in the hoop greenhouses so they will have early produce to get a premium price, now how smart is that. It will not be long before you’ll see those stands along the back roads of Lancaster County with all the fresh produce. You need to experience it to understand.

Easter is coming to Lancaster County and it starts now.

Innkeeper — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:34:57 +0000

WOW, we have shows, cooking classes and much more, all going on this week.

March 26 at The Good Cooking Store in Intercourse. Join Valerie Baer, a home cook with years of baking experience, for an afternoon of scones and tea. In this class you will see Val demonstrate how to make Double Chocolate Scones, Cranberry Orange Scones, Cream Scones, Lemon Curd, and a simplified Clotted Cream. You will get to sample these demonstrated recipes, along with Tomato Feta Scones and Homemade Pesto. You will also enjoy some information on various kinds of tea and get to sample various teas from our tea bar. 717-768-3032 or www.thegoodcookingstore.com

REMEMBER you can shop our wonderful farmers markets and buy all that fresh stuff for your Easter dinner. I just ordered my asparagus for our dinner. We will have about 26 + or – for dinner on the 31st. To see my Scalloped Asparagus recipe go to Vogt Farm B&B Facebook.

Outdoor Fun

Innkeeper — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:52:10 +0000

March is acting like the proverbial “Lamb”, so far. The temperatures are hovering at the high 50s and a great time to go outdoors. Yesterday we went to the township park and took a walk then sat and watched the river flow by. Some people were biking others fishing and all soaking up the beautiful day. This park is owned by the Township and is kept in great shape. there is a paved trail that runs for 2-3 miles. When it is finished it will be about 5-7 miles long thru several townships thus having it all finished at the same time is not going to be achieved. Ours is done. Most of the way you can see the river so for me very relaxing. We also have a community park that has tennis courts, walking trail and baseball fields. We are in rural Lancaster County but have some very impressive outdoor space.

Lancaster Central Market

Innkeeper — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:31:10 +0000

Last week I had occasion to be in down town Lancaster on Friday and decided to go to market. I haven’t been there in quite awhile and found that it has become more “earthy”. By that, I mean, grass fed beef, organics and very health oriented, this is not good or bad just a fact. I love “market” and have many memories of working there. There are cultural food; German, far eastern etc. It really has taken on the flavors of the city as opposed to the county.

Farmers Markets are my thing to see when I travel. This winter when we were on vacation I visited Nashville and Santa Fe’s markets. Every area of the country has markets and they so represent the culture that it is an education all its own. My first trip to San Antonio I saw a sign “Farmers Market today”, so in I go (it was a parking garage). What I saw was hot peppers by the bushel, onions and tomatoes, that was it. Maybe 3 vendors all Mexican. Now that was culture shock for this country girl But it certainly whetted my appetite to see more farmers markets. Here in the county we have many Farmers Markets starting on Tuesdays and running thru Saturday, plus the roadside stands. Here at Vogt Farm if you want to go to market we send you off with a cooler and ice so you can actually shop.

Susquehanna River Towns

Innkeeper — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:17:30 +0000

I was cleaning out a cache of brochures that have accumulated at my desk and found a very interesting one about our River Towns. This one is called Susquehanna River Road Excursion put out by rivertownes.org. I’m familiar with the group but have never looked at their website. With this being the anniversary year of the Gettysburg Battle and knowing how Columbia played into the history I thought you all might like to take a look. In the event you do not know our small river town of Columbia played a HUGE part in how the war turned out. So if you are going to Gettysburg for the celebration (or even if you are not) you might want to take a day or two to look around here and learn that part of the story.

Winter is out

Innkeeper — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:25:04 +0000

Okay, the Ground Hog had his say and now I’m having mine (however, not nearly as popular). I say lets move past winter and have some fun. Murder Mystery (and dinner) should give you a new view on life. Try Mount Hope Mansion for a fun packed night. OR a Victorian Valentine Dinner at Landis Valley Museum. You can start the day by making truffles in Hershey and then enjoying them on the way home. To me eating is much more fun then dwelling on Winter

Winter Fun

Innkeeper — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:24:24 +0000

Let’s just think that the hustle and bustle are over………….AHHHHHHH

All the relatives are gone and we need to get away. Come to Lancaster County and just relax at one of our great B&Bs. Many have fire places, and offer massages (see our Valentine Special for February). If you need some outdoor fun try a hike on one of our trails we have or go ice skating. Doesn’t that sound like the “most wonderful” time of all.

Christmas Past Memories

Innkeeper — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:38:54 +0000

Looking back we all have our most memorable Christmas. Whether it was a favorite gift, happening, person present, or place you were it just keeps coming up as a special time. Mine was the year I was 7; for some reason my Mother went over-board with gifts for me, I got a doll, a baking set and a doll carriage. Now for some people that would not seem like much, but for our family that was a BIG Christmas. My parents weren’t wealthy and I know that something was sacrificed for me to have all that. I think it had to do with my age and the fact that Mother thought I needed that stuff then. As I watch the grands get bigger I realize they are out-growing certain toys (and it breaks my heart) so if you don’t grasp the moment the fun will be gone. That doesn’t necessarily have only to do with material stuff but with making memories in things you do with them. Recently I had the privilege to keep to Great-grands that live in Maine, we took them to Chocolate World and had a good time but I know that in 2 or 3 years that just won’t do it. So grasp the moment.