Boomers

ers
March 31, 2012
®
Featured Boomer:
Margaret Thorn
Wine & Cheese
Train on the
Strasburg
Railroad
Explore the
Grand Canyon
A P UBL I CAT I ON OF L A NCA S T E R NE WS PA P E RS I NC.
The Grand Canyon 3
U.S. National Arboretum 4
Finally At 50 5
This Old House Has a Story 6
Featured Boomer: 8
Margaret Thorn
Boomer Card Directory 10
Boomer Card Registration 11
Vine & Stein: Strasburg 13
Boomer Health Activities 14
Flashback: 1962 15
Spring Celebration: Brunch 16
Contents
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2
BOOMers
®
• March 31, 2012
T
he world is full of
amazing things to
see, but there are
a select few sites
that people agree
are truly wonders of the world.
The tradition started a long time
ago, in ancient Greece, when
Antipater of Sidon listed the
unrivaled buildings of the day.
More recently, new lists of world
wonders have been proposed
including both man-made and
natural sites, providing the
perfect blueprint for a traveler’s
“bucket list”. Luckily, Americans
can start checking things off
right in their own spectacular
backyard by taking a Grand
Canyon tour.
The Grand Canyon is not
just something to see, but a
destination to be experienced.
Standing on the rim will give you
breathtaking views, certainly, but
a natural wonder of the world
deserves being seen within a
more in-depth context. The
added dimension of hearing the
story of the canyon’s formation
is easiest to come by if you join
a Grand Canyon tour. Not only
does a tour give you unusual
access to the sites, enriching
your visit, but the cost savings,
when compared to arranging
everything on your own, can be
as much as 40 percent.
To make the most of a Grand
Canyon tour, be sure that you
include these essential elements
in your itinerary:
Go beyond the average view of the
Grand Canyon.
The complex history of the
Grand Canyon stretches back
eons. Rather than sticking your
nose in a guide book and missing
the scenery, a lecture given by an
expert geologist gives you the
opportunity to immerse yourself
in the history of what you’re
seeing. Learn about the ecology
and geology during your Grand
Canyon tour before heading out
for a full day’s exploration.
Take in the surrounding scenery.
Because the Grand Canyon is
situated in one of America’s
most scenically dramatic regions,
the opportunity to see the
surrounding areas is one that
you should take advantage of as
well. Places like Sedona, Ariz.,
Bryce Canyon and Zion National
Park are all within reasonable
distances and should figure into
your travel plans as well; check
to see if they are built into your
Grand Canyon tour.
Relax in stylish hotels.
The American Southwest is
home to some of the country’s
top resorts and hotels, where
a memorable stay adds to the
overall experience. Don’t miss
the chance to stay at a lodge
within the Grand Canyon
National Park, where you can
experience the landscape from
sunrise to starry night. Nearby
travel hubs like Scottsdale and
Las Vegas offer the ultimate in
luxury hotels for kicking back,
pre- or post- your Grand Canyon
tour adventure.
Explore your adventurous side.
Taking a hike is a great way to
get up close and personal with
the landscapes of the Southwest,
but there are other ways to dive
into the experience. Try a float
trip down the Colorado River,
which winds its way through the
region and carves out a dramatic
path through the Grand Canyon.
Or take wing on a helicopter
ride that gives you a whole new
perspective on the size and
grandeur of the site.
While there’s no denying
that the Grand Canyon is a
photogenic place, traveling to
this natural wonder will show you
just how difficult it is to capture
its true beauty, immensity and
magic. And because it epitomizes
the concept of a “wonder of the
world,” it’s the perfect place to
kick off your goal to see the most
amazing sights on the planet.
How to get an in-depth view of
America’s natural wonder
The Grand Canyon:
March 31, 2012 • BOOMers
®

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COURTESY OF ARA CONTENT
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BOOMers
®
• March 31, 2012
F
or those who enjoy
the outdoors and
the beauty of nature,
a visit to the U.S.
National Arboretum
in northeast Washington, DC
is a “must see”. Established by
an act of Congress in 1927, the
arboretum boasts 446-acres and
9.5 miles of winding roadways.
Although a guide map is
available, a narrated tram tour
may help familiarize frst-time
visitors by providing an overview
of the facility.
One of the main attractions
in the spring is the thousands
of azaleas that encase the lower
slopes of Mount Hamilton in a
blaze of color. The frst warm days
of spring bring out the fowers,
and the slopes become a glowing
patchwork of color. The azalea
collection includes a number of
varieties that were hybridized by
the arboretum’s former director
Benjamin Y. Morrison.
A number of the plants on the
south side of Mount Hamilton,
an area known as the Glenn
Dale Hillside, are products of his
work. The brick-walled Morrison
Garden, built in 1952, serves as
the hub of the azalea collection.
Due to the wide variety of
azaleas, visitors will fnd some
blooms lingering through May,
and depending on the weather,
early-June.
Another spring treat are the
dogwoods; fowering dogwoods
begin their bloom in early spring
and Chinese dogwoods continue
to bloom heavily as late as early
June. Dogwoods provide year-
round beauty as they bloom,
bear fruit, and their leaves turn
shades of red and coral.
The large blooms and waxy
leaves of the magnolia are a lure
to many visitors. The arboretum
pairs these showy plants that
evoke thoughts of large, southern
antebellum plantations, with the
red-berried holly that’s associated
with the holiday season. The
collection features deciduous
as well as evergreen magnolias.
Deciduous magnolias create a
panorama of pink, white and
purple blooms early spring, and
evergreen varieties begin their
show in high summer.
While the arboretum is a
masterful public garden, it’s also
a research facility, and a number
of the hollies and magnolias
that are common in the nursery
trade today as well as a number
of other plants in the gardens
today originated here.
The perennial collection is
set among the backdrop of the
shrubs in the boxwood collection.
The boxwood varieties — some
with blue-green leaves, some with
variegated leaves with splashes of
cream or yellow, some dwarf with
a mature height of less than two
feet, and one variety that grows
upward in a narrow column —
serve as the perfect foils for the
blooms of daffodils, daylilies
and peonies of the perennial
collection.
For those who love ferns, a visit
to fern valley would be in order.
There’s also the National Grove
of State Trees. In most cases,
the offcial state tree is used to
represent each state. However,
some cannot be cultivated in the
outdoor site, so the arboretum
chose substitute trees for Alaska,
Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, and
South Carolina.
The National Bonsai and
Penjing Museum is also located
at the arboretum. Three stylized
pavilions house nearly 150 plants.
This area exudes tranquility
and peace. For a change of
pace, explore the fanciful youth
garden.
Perhaps the most unique
collection at the arboretum is
the National Capitol Columns.
They are set on a foundation
of stones from the steps that
had been on the east side of the
Capitol. Their stately elegance
on a natural knoll makes these
architectural bits of history seem
like they’ve been in their setting
for years, but they’ve only been
there for a decade.
The sandstone columns began
their life on the east portico of
the US Capitol in 1828. When
the iron dome of the Capitol was
completed in 1864, it appeared
as if it was not adequately
supported by the columns since
the dome was signifcantly
larger than what the designer
envisioned. To correct this, an
addition to the east side of the
Capitol was proposed, but it was
not constructed until 1958.
The variety of plants, the
well-crafted settings and a bit
of history combine to make the
National Arboretum a treasure
For further information and to plan
your trip, visit www.usna.usda.gov.
U.S. National Arboretum
Explore nature’s beauty at the
Finally at 50
Written by: Rochelle A. Shenk
n
I
t’s the one thing all
Baby Boomer women
have in common.
Some of us have more
lines and wrinkles than
others … some of us get grayer
before the rest … and still others
just seem to have more energy
than our Boomer comrades.
But the one universal … the
one challenge facing all Baby
Boomer sisters is the almost
uncontrollable weight gain —
sometimes in places we never
even thought about before …
That battle of the bulge just gets
harder and harder and harder
to win with each passing year.
For ALL of us.
My best friend, “jane doe” and
I have always had to struggle
with our weight … but we always
managed to get it off.
After a celebration, summer
vacation, birthday, Thanksgiving,
Christmas or Arbor Day, we
would always have the inevitable
fve to 10 pounds to lose. All I
would have to do is sheepishly
return to a Weight Watchers
meeting, hear the music, and
then get serious. The weight
would always come off. Jane,
on the other hand, would do
whatever diet struck her fancy
at the time: NutriSystem, Jenny
Craig, South Beach, Atkins,
Low Carb, High protein, Low
sugar, Cabbage, Sensa… She
tried them all, but she did lose
weight.
At least that was how it was
in our twenties and thirties and
even for the frst half of our
forties. Sure it came on easily …
holidays, birthdays … snow days
… but as soon as we knuckled
down, it would always come off.
These days, at age 49, and for
most women in our BOOMer
age group, it takes having a
near eating disorder for the
scale to move. I know women
in their late 40s who starve
themselves, exercise for hours,
drink all kinds of (diet) shakes
and take all kinds of pills in
the effort to lose weight. I even
know of women who are taking
pregnancy hormones in the
effort to be skinny. Seriously?
Trying to lose weight as a
(near) 50-year-old can make
you a little crazy.
Ahh … the good old days in
my 20s and 30s … If I had to
lose a few pounds all I had to
do was eat a little less and pop
a Jane Fonda tape in the VCR
and work my Suzanne Sommers
Thigh Master.
I have a 50-something
girlfriend. I’ve known her
forever and all that time she has
always been effortlessly tiny. And
I mean effortlessly. I’d be with
her on New Year’s Day moaning
about the 5 or 10 pounds I had
to lose after eating through the
holidays and she would just look
at me doe-eyed. “I weigh exactly
the same,” she’d say. Her size 2-4
jeans never budged throughout
the entire season. Fast forward
three decades and she now
knows exactly what I was talking
about. “I don’t know what’s
happening,” she told me one
day over the phone. “I seem to
be gaining weight in fve pound
increments and I can’t lose it!”
(Part of me felt really sorry for
her but between you and me, I
did do a fst pump in the air.)
So before we turn 50, “jane
doe” and I want to lose a few
pounds. And we are helping
each other by keeping track of
each other. We shoot quick texts
throughout the day to let the
other know how we’re doing,
to get help and also to motivate
each other.
Sometimes we text about what we
are eating:
Caesar Salad.
Weight Watchers Popsicle.
Ice cream.
Sometimes we text about how we
have exercised that day:
Beautiful day walking.
Sweated like a pig on elliptical.
I think I tinkled during Body Combat
class.
Other times we text about how we
are feeling about the sometimes
long, frustrating journey to weight
loss:
I still weigh the same as last week.
Batteries out on scale. Says I weigh
two pounds.
I don’t think I can keep doing this.
One day last week I received this
text from jane:
My 5 ft. 7in. niece is trying on size 4
jeans. Shoot me.
“Don’t worry,” I quickly texted
back. “One day she’ll be 50, too.”
So we have decided to meet
monthly to talk about certain
issues in our lives that we
specifcally wanted to work on.
jane bought us each a journal
with the word, “IMAGINE”
written on it. I bought us each a
stone with the word, “IMAGINE”
carved in it.
Imagine? Imagine what? It might
be imagining fnally getting a
handle on diet, fnally fguring
out relationships, or simply
fnally deciding on a hair color.
But whatever it is, we will discuss
it, have a glass of wine together,
and help each other keep the
momentum going until we are
FINALLY… at 50.
Finally at 50
A new survey from The Dannon Company, conducted by
StrategyOne, reveals that Americans are making health-conscious
decisions about the foods they eat, with six in 10 saying they have
made food purchases driven by health concerns. In particular,
43 percent say they have purchased a food to help their digestive
system. “While this fnding reveals a positive step for many
Americans, it also means that more than half of us aren’t paying
close enough attention to our digestive health”, said Dr. Miguel
Freitas, Director of Health Affairs for Dannon.
Why is digestive health so important? For starters, the digestive
system is where vitamins, nutrients and minerals are absorbed,
so it’s important to take good care of it. In addition, a healthy
and well-functioning digestive system can lead to better overall
well-being.
The good news is, there are many steps we can take to improve
our digestive health, including easy changes to the foods we buy
and eat. Nutrition expert Keri Glassman, founder and president
of Nutritious Life and author of the best-selling book, The O2
Diet, shares her simple steps for a healthier digestive system:
Eat until you’re satisfed, not stuffed. When eating a snack or meal,
the goal is to feel satiated (the feeling when hunger goes away),
not full or uncomfortable. Foods that contain whole grains will
help you achieve this feeling while also delivering a strong dose of
fber, vitamins, and minerals. Try adding a helping of vegetables to
round out a healthy meal without adding a lot of calories.
Drink lots of fuids. Fluids can help ease the passage of food
through the digestive tract. Drink at least one glass of water at
every meal. If you’re tired of plain water, add slices of lemons or
oranges, or whole berries to pack a punch of favor without extra
calories.
Choose digestion-friendly foods. Eating foods that contain
probiotics (“friendly” bacteria) is an increasingly popular way
to improve digestive health. In the Dannon survey, over half of
Americans (54 percent) reported that they have consumed
products containing probiotics, and two-thirds of these individuals
say they consume them often. Seek out products with specifc
benefts, such as yogurt containing a probiotic culture called
Bifdus Regularis, which helps regulate the digestive system when
consumed daily for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and
healthy lifestyle.
Get moving. Regular exercise, including taking a walk after a meal,
is a great way to keep your digestive tract on track. Be sure to stay
hydrated before, during, and after a vigorous workout.
Understand the gut-brain connection. The “gut feeling” isn’t just a
myth; the gut and brain are closely connected, and if you’re feeling
stressed, angry, or nervous, it can affect your digestive system. To
maintain good digestive health, try to fnd ways to stay relaxed
and stress-free.
To learn more about digestive health and the benefts of
probiotics, speak with your health care provider or nutritionist.
Gut check:
Digestive health tips
from nutrition expert
Keri Glassman
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March 31, 2012 • BOOMers
®

5
COURTESy OF ARA COnTEnT n
n
n
Written by: Maureen Leader
M
arcia Trach,
r e t i r e d
e l e me n t a r y
school teacher,
b e c a m e
interested in researching
historical homes when she
purchased an older home on
Mulberry Street in Lancaster.
When she purchased the home,
she was told it was built in 1898.
As she began examining interior
features such as molding, brick,
and exposed floor joists, and the
wide, double plank floors, she
began to suspect that the house
was much older.
Curiosity led her to research
more about 19th century
architecture. She read books,
searched on-line, talked to
experts, researched the deed,
and sought information at the
Historic Preservation Trust.
Since her retirement, she has
become a dedicated volunteer
and member of the Trust’s Board
of Directors.
Trach sold the house on
Mulberry Street and purchased a
converted two-room schoolhouse
in Lancaster Township. Once
again, she began the process of
learning more about the history
and architectural design and
changes of her new home.
With two home research
projects ‘under her belt,’ as well
as extensive study on several
historic properties in Lancaster
County, Trach offers a wealth of
suggestions to those who wish to
know more about the history of
an older home. As the Ancestry.
com advertisement proposes
to would-be genealogists, “You
don’t have to know what you’re
looking for, you just have to start
looking!” In Trach’s words, “the
more people you talk to the
more leads you get on where
to look.”
Where to Begin
Begin by closely examining
the architectural features of
your house. Investigate how the
home was built and what types
of building materials were used.
Examine foundation, roofs,
walls, chimneys, doors, windows,
and moldings. Look for original
materials, such as bricks of the
fireplace. Knock on walls — if
the walls sound hollow, there
may have once been a room
there. Look for “fill brick”
used to enclose windows and
check to see whether or not
the basement has exposed floor
joists. Were wooden pegs used
in lieu of nails? If so, the house
was probably built before 1850.
Housing design has changed
dramatically over the years, and
you may be able to find clues as
to when your home was built,
what substantial changes have
been made, and how well-off
the original inhabitants were.
Detailed molding, for example,
probably indicates that the home
was owned by someone wealthy.
Search the attic
If you are lucky, you may find
original blueprints. Drawings
were found in the attic of the
house now used as the home
for the president of Franklin &
Marshall College, proving that it
was designed by the well known
local architect, C. Emlen Urban,
Trach said.
A publication entitled
“House Detectives,” put out by
the Smithsonian Institution,
recommends looking under
the water tank lid on the toilet.
Toilets are usually date-stamped
6
BOOMers
®
• March 31, 2012
This old house
has a story
Marcia Trach’s house on Schoolhouse Road.
Original School bell still works.
Written by: Meredith Westgate
under the lid, giving you a rough
estimate of when the house
was built, since the toilet would
likely have been installed shortly
after it was manufactured. You
can also get an idea of how
long it has been since a room
was remodeled since styles of
cabinets and appliances go out
of vogue every few years.
In addition to these physical
features, look at the style of the
house, inside and out. The style
of a building is a clue to its age
— but not always proof. Take
careful notes and photographs
of architectural details. If you
aren’t able to match architectural
features of your home with a
time period, Trach suggests
exploring architectural books,
available at your local library
or bookstore. Many books have
photos and drawings that can
help to pinpoint a time period. If
your interest develops, consider
taking an architectural course at
the Thaddeus Stevens College
of Technology.
You can learn a lot of history,
simply by talking to an older
neighbor, Trach said. With a
little detective work, you may
be able to track down former
residents or their children. If you
are lucky to find someone who
has lived in the neighborhood
since its beginnings, they may be
able to help you date changes or
tell you stories about ‘old days’
in the neighborhood or about
their lives or experiences in your
home. Another idea is to Google
the names of previous owners. By
researching the history of your
neighborhood, you may discover
information that can provide
insight into your home’s history.
Next, you will want to research
the deed of your home to create
a chronological list of all the
owners of your property. You
can do this on-line at www.
lancasterdeeds.com, or go to the
Lancaster County Government
Center at 150 N. Queen St. and
ask for the Recorder of Deeds.
Staff will show you how to search
the deed. This information is
indexed by lot and block number
in a city and a section, township
and range for rural property.
March 31, 2012 • BOOMers
®

7
continued on page 12
“Moving here was a smart financial move.
The money we’ve saved allows us to pursue
our hobbies and develop new interests. Did we
mention spoiling our grandchildren? They’re
impressed that Grandma and Grandpa have a
clubhouse. It’s a far cry from the ‘clubhouse’
of our youth.”
The Evans, Traditions of America residents
LIVE
BETTER
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older. Prices, terms and availability are subject to change without notice.
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OPEN HOUSE DAILY 10AM - 6PM | Call 717-492-4529
Directions: Take Rt. 283 east or west to exit for Rt. 772 Manheim/Mount
Joy. Continue west on Rt. 772 for 1/2 mile, turn left at 2nd traffic light
onto Elmcrest Blvd. Community entrance ahead on left.
Learn more about our lifestyle at
TOAMountJoy.com
1319 Emerson Drive, Mount Joy, PA 17552
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8
BOOMers
®
• March 31, 2012
March 31, 2012 • BOOMers
®

9
F
or Margaret Thorn, being
an artist was always her
dream. It was — quite
literally — a dream
deferred.
Then, she said, “I came upon a poem
by Langston Hughes that touched me
so deeply, I knew it was a sign.”
That poem, Dream Deferred, spoke
to Thorn and inspired her to move
toward her dream of becoming an
artist. The poem was the inspiration
for the book and play, Raisin in the
Sun, and the words that meant so
much to the Lititz artist went like this:
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore —
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over —
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
For Thorn, it was all about timing.
And she was ready to explode as a
watercolor artist.
After 18 years as a fourth grade
teacher at Lititz Elementary School,
Thorn retired in 2010. At 62, she was
ready to pursue that “dream deferred,”
and become a real artist. It was
something she had always been ready
to do. And her husband, Art Thorn,
a retired geologist, has been her
biggest supporter.
“He really encouraged me, and now
he does the matting, helps with the
art shows and setting up, takes care of
the web site and handles the business
aspect, so I can paint,” said Thorn.
A native of Berks County, Thorn
earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree from Penn State University,
where she majored in printmaking
with a specialty in etchings. She moved
to New Orleans with her husband,
where she continued her education
at Tulane University, earning a Master
of Fine Arts in printmaking. While
at Tulane, she taught adult classes in
printmaking and watercolor.
She experienced what she calls her
Bohemian artist phase while in New
Orleans, packing up her art supplies
and heading off to the French Quarter,
where she was a street artist, doing
watercolors at Jackson Square.
The Thorns moved to Houston,
Texas, for Art Thorn’s work as a
geologist in oil exploration, while
Margaret Thorn decided to earn her
degree in something “practical.” That
was teaching, and she studied at the
University of St. Thomas, achieving
a Master of Education degree in
Elementary Education and Art
Education. After teaching elementary
A dream
D E F E R R E D
school in Houston for four years,
her family moved to Lititz in 1990,
and she started teaching at Lititz
Elementary School. They raised
their daughter Sarah, now a married
environmental engineer with two
sons, and their son Michael, now
married and living in Thailand with
his wife and their baby.
After retiring and her children
grown, it was time for that dream.
“At first I wasn’t sure I was good
enough. I started with paintings of
subjects I liked,” said Thorn.
Those subjects included
landscapes and images from favorite
places, like Ocean City, N.J., the
Maine Coast, Martha’s Vineyard,
Nantucket and New Orleans.
She painted the ferris wheel at
Ocean City, Mack & Mancos Pizza,
Browns donuts and scenes on the
boardwalk, as well as lighthouses,
fishing docks and beaches.
Many of her images are nostalgic,
like the 1958 Christmas tree that she
remembers from her childhood,
with a Lionel train circling the tree,
Tinkertoys, Lincoln Logs and other
toys from the 1950s.
She also found herself looking
back fondly at favorite treats,
like Skybars and Necco wafers.
She painted an entire watercolor
of favorite candies, some still
around, others not. Then there
were paintings of cupcakes and
donuts and popcorn and salt
water taffy.
Thorn is quite petite, but
confesses that she adores
chocolate. So she paints it. She
also painted gorgeous bottles
of red wine from California
vineyards. One of her Ocean
City paintings features all
the boardwalk goodies. like
Shrivers salt water taffy and
Johnson’s popcorn.
“People seem to love my food
paintings. As it turns out, many of
my favorite things are shared by
others,” said Thorn.
Thorn likes to take a light-
hearted approach to life, and is
quite comfortable doing work that
makes people happy. Her paintings
are without angst and reflect her
easy-going, down-to-earth outlook.
Now that she is living her dream,
she approaches her new career as
an artist with enthusiasm. She and
her husband go to as many as 20
art shows every spring and summer,
including the Lititz Outdoor Art
Show, Mount Gretna, Ocean City,
West Reading and Belaire, Md.
Their travels to places like
France, Thailand, Ireland, St.
Croix, and Italy provide a constant
supply of subject matter, ranging
from grand Asian elephants to
Parisian pastries.
She paints every day.
“Once you realize your dream,”
she said, “you’ve got to go for it.”
What’s in your frig?
Fruits, vegetables, juices
and Brussels sprouts. I love
Brussels sprouts.

Favorite music?
Brandi Carlisle and
classical music.

Favorite thing to do on a
rainy day?
Paint, of course!

Most amazing place you’ve
ever been?
Thailand, the colors are
gorgeous.

Favorite food?
Anything chocolate, cake,
candy and the opera fudge
torte at Trattoria Fratelli in
Lebanon.

Favorite color?
No question there,
I love purple.

First concert?
Simon and Garfunkle.

Book reading now?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

Favorite candy?
Good & Plenty.

Surprising talent?
Really good softball pitcher.

Her website?
www.margaretthorn.com
■
Written by: Laura Knowles
8
BOOMers
®
• March 31, 2012
March 31, 2012 • BOOMers
®

9
F
or Margaret Thorn, being
an artist was always her
dream. It was — quite
literally — a dream
deferred.
Then, she said, “I came upon a poem
by Langston Hughes that touched me
so deeply, I knew it was a sign.”
That poem, Dream Deferred, spoke
to Thorn and inspired her to move
toward her dream of becoming an
artist. The poem was the inspiration
for the book and play, Raisin in the
Sun, and the words that meant so
much to the Lititz artist went like this:
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore —
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over —
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
For Thorn, it was all about timing.
And she was ready to explode as a
watercolor artist.
After 18 years as a fourth grade
teacher at Lititz Elementary School,
Thorn retired in 2010. At 62, she was
ready to pursue that “dream deferred,”
and become a real artist. It was
something she had always been ready
to do. And her husband, Art Thorn,
a retired geologist, has been her
biggest supporter.
“He really encouraged me, and now
he does the matting, helps with the
art shows and setting up, takes care of
the web site and handles the business
aspect, so I can paint,” said Thorn.
A native of Berks County, Thorn
earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree from Penn State University,
where she majored in printmaking
with a specialty in etchings. She moved
to New Orleans with her husband,
where she continued her education
at Tulane University, earning a Master
of Fine Arts in printmaking. While
at Tulane, she taught adult classes in
printmaking and watercolor.
She experienced what she calls her
Bohemian artist phase while in New
Orleans, packing up her art supplies
and heading off to the French Quarter,
where she was a street artist, doing
watercolors at Jackson Square.
The Thorns moved to Houston,
Texas, for Art Thorn’s work as a
geologist in oil exploration, while
Margaret Thorn decided to earn her
degree in something “practical.” That
was teaching, and she studied at the
University of St. Thomas, achieving
a Master of Education degree in
Elementary Education and Art
Education. After teaching elementary
A dream
D E F E R R E D
school in Houston for four years,
her family moved to Lititz in 1990,
and she started teaching at Lititz
Elementary School. They raised
their daughter Sarah, now a married
environmental engineer with two
sons, and their son Michael, now
married and living in Thailand with
his wife and their baby.
After retiring and her children
grown, it was time for that dream.
“At first I wasn’t sure I was good
enough. I started with paintings of
subjects I liked,” said Thorn.
Those subjects included
landscapes and images from favorite
places, like Ocean City, N.J., the
Maine Coast, Martha’s Vineyard,
Nantucket and New Orleans.
She painted the ferris wheel at
Ocean City, Mack & Mancos Pizza,
Browns donuts and scenes on the
boardwalk, as well as lighthouses,
fishing docks and beaches.
Many of her images are nostalgic,
like the 1958 Christmas tree that she
remembers from her childhood,
with a Lionel train circling the tree,
Tinkertoys, Lincoln Logs and other
toys from the 1950s.
She also found herself looking
back fondly at favorite treats,
like Skybars and Necco wafers.
She painted an entire watercolor
of favorite candies, some still
around, others not. Then there
were paintings of cupcakes and
donuts and popcorn and salt
water taffy.
Thorn is quite petite, but
confesses that she adores
chocolate. So she paints it. She
also painted gorgeous bottles
of red wine from California
vineyards. One of her Ocean
City paintings features all
the boardwalk goodies. like
Shrivers salt water taffy and
Johnson’s popcorn.
“People seem to love my food
paintings. As it turns out, many of
my favorite things are shared by
others,” said Thorn.
Thorn likes to take a light-
hearted approach to life, and is
quite comfortable doing work that
makes people happy. Her paintings
are without angst and reflect her
easy-going, down-to-earth outlook.
Now that she is living her dream,
she approaches her new career as
an artist with enthusiasm. She and
her husband go to as many as 20
art shows every spring and summer,
including the Lititz Outdoor Art
Show, Mount Gretna, Ocean City,
West Reading and Belaire, Md.
Their travels to places like
France, Thailand, Ireland, St.
Croix, and Italy provide a constant
supply of subject matter, ranging
from grand Asian elephants to
Parisian pastries.
She paints every day.
“Once you realize your dream,”
she said, “you’ve got to go for it.”
What’s in your frig?
Fruits, vegetables, juices
and Brussels sprouts. I love
Brussels sprouts.

Favorite music?
Brandi Carlisle and
classical music.

Favorite thing to do on a
rainy day?
Paint, of course!

Most amazing place you’ve
ever been?
Thailand, the colors are
gorgeous.

Favorite food?
Anything chocolate, cake,
candy and the opera fudge
torte at Trattoria Fratelli in
Lebanon.

Favorite color?
No question there,
I love purple.

First concert?
Simon and Garfunkle.

Book reading now?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

Favorite candy?
Good & Plenty.

Surprising talent?
Really good softball pitcher.

Her website?
www.margaretthorn.com
■
Written by: Laura Knowles
www.brainsandbones.com
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135 E. Main St. • Strasburg
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360 Hartman Bridge Rd.
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300 Harrisburg Ave. • 299-3000
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924 N. Prince St. • Lancaster
399-8358 • www.theneptunediner.com
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50 Lancaster Ave. • Columbia
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36 S. Waterford Ave. • Marietta
426-1205 • www.shankstavern.com
SPILL THE BEANS CAFE
43 E. Main St. • Lititz
627-7827 • www.spillthebeanscafe.com
SYMPOSIUM RESTAURANT
125 South Centerville Rd.
Lancaster • 391-7656
T. BURK & CO. DELI RESTAURANT
2433A Old Philadelphia Pike
293-0976 • [email protected]
THE CHERISHED PEARL
BED AND BREAKFAST
Honeybrook • 610-273-2312
www.thecherishedpearl.com
WILLOW VALLEY RESTAURANT
2416 Willow Street Pk • Lancaster
464-2711 • willowvalley.com
CHOO CHOO BARN, INC.
Route 741 East, Strasburg
687-7911 • www.choochoobarn.com
DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE
510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster
898-1900 • DutchApple.com
LEISURE LANES
3440 Columbia Ave.
Lancaster • 392-2121
JUKEBOX NIGHTCLUB
1703 New Holland Ave. • Lancaster
394-9978 • Jukeboxnightclub.com
NEW SINGLES
713-1494
www.newsinglesusa.com
SOVEREIGN CENTER
Reading, PA
www.sovereigncenter.com
TELL LIMOUSINES
18 Richard Dr., • Lititz
www.telllimo.com • 1-866-469-8355
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL
30 E. Roseville Rd. • Lancaster
Ted Williams • 431-0522
AMERICAN SLEEP CENTER
1957 Fruitville Pk. • Lancaster
560-6660 • www.specialtysleepcenter.com
THE BED & FURNITURE
WAREHOUSE
166 Arrowhead Dr.
Rapho Industrial Park • 653-8096
www.bedandfurniture.com
FURNITURE THAT FITS
3515 Columbia Ave
Mountville • 285-2547
HERITAGE DESIGN INTERIORS
1064 Main St., Rt. 23 • Blue Ball
354-2233 • [email protected]
WICKER IMPORTS
1766 Oregon Pike
Lancaster • 560-6325
WOLF FURNITURE
Rohrerstown Rd. exit of Rt. 30 • Lanc
209-6949 • wolffurniture.com
A THERAPEUTIC EFFECT
123 Oakridge Dr.
Mountville • 285-9955
ALBRIGHT & THIRY ORTHODONTICS
1834 Oregon Pk • Lancaster
569-6421
AMERICAN LASER CENTER
898-9170
www.americanlaser.com
COCALICO AREA HEARING
SERVICES
3 Cardinal Drive • 336-8198
DR. BENJAMIN F.D. CHIKES
Practice limited to orthodontics
Ephrata • 738-4901
HARMONY FITNESS-A Women’s Gym
3695 Marietta Ave. • Lancaster
285-3476 • harmonyfi[email protected]
HARTZ Physical Therapy’s
Medically Adapted Gym (M.A.G.)
90 Good Drive • Lancaster
735-8880 • www.hartzpt.com
HEALTH e-TECHNOLOGIES
538-8392
www.healthe-tech.com
HOME FITNESS EQUIPMENT
1955 Manheim Pk. (Foxshire Plaza)
Lancaster • 509-7752
JUICE PLUS+/HURST PARTNERS
INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
800-384-1962
www.yourhealthstyles.us
L & E MASSAGE THERAPY CENTERS
Lancaster and Ephrata locations
560-6788 and 721-3254
MERLE NORMAN COSMETIC
STUDIO
Park City Center • Kohl’s Wing
Lancaster • 393-2393
PATRICIA’S HAIRSTYLING CENTER
3844 Columbia Ave.
Mountville • 285-2838
PAVELKO SENIOR CONSULTING
SERVICES, LLC
517-8871 • www.pavelko.org
POUNDS TO FREEDOM
900 B Centerville Rd.
892-7448
SUSQUEHANNA HEARING CENTER
24A E. Roseville Road
Lancaster • 569-0000
THE REJUVENATION CENTER
616 Paxton Place • Suite 102
Lititz • 569-3040
THE SPA AT INTERCOURSE VILLAGE
3544 Old Philadelphia Pk • Intercourse
768-0555 • 800-801-2219
YOUR HEALTH STYLES FOR LIFE
(Laser Skin Care)
148 E. Main St. • Leola • 405-0881
A. E. KEENER ELECTRIC
1510 Quarry Lane
Lancaster, PA • 575-0949
CALDER DOOR & SPECIALTY CO.
1296 Loop Rd. • Lancaster
397-8295
CDR IMPROVEMENTS, INC.
P.O. Box 192 • Denver
800-543-9896 • [email protected]
FURNITURE MEDIC
2274 Manor Ridge Dr.
Lancaster • 393-8545
GOCHNAUER’S HOME
APPLIANCE CENTER
5939 Main St • East Petersburg
569-0439 • www.gochnauers.com
HERITAGE DESIGN INTERIORS
1064 Main St., Rt. 23
Blue Ball • 354-2233
www.heritagedesigninteriors.com
HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE
Serving Lancaster County • 207-0755
homeinstead.com/589
INDEPENDENT STAIR LIFT SOLUTIONS
401 Granite Run Dr. • Lancaster
626-4401 • yourIHS.com
ISLAND PAINTING, INC.
3806 Concordia Rd
Columbia, PA • 285-9074
KEN GUNZENHAUSER & ASSOC.
BASEMENT DAMP PROOFING
171 Ridgeway Ave. • Ephrata
368-6183
KREIDER’S CANVAS SERVICE
73 W. Main St. • Leola
656-7387 • www.KreidersCanvas.com
LANCASTER BUILDING SUPPLY
WINDOWS DOORS and MORE, LLC
1851 Lincoln Hwy East • Lancaster
393-1321
www.lancasterbuildingsupply.com
LANCASTER DOOR SERVICE
1851 Lincoln Hwy East • Lancaster
394-4724 • www.lancasterdoor.com
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401 Granite Run Dr. • Lancaster
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1330 Harrisburg Pk • 207-0901
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Brownstown • 656-2711
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325 B West Main St. • New Holland
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PARKHILL JEWELRY
Ephrata • 733-8800
VINCENT & CO. FINE JEWELERS
1633 Lititz Pike • Lancaster
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DREAM DINNERS
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DEB’S PET BUDDIES
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Lititz • 283-4438
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AMERICAN TASTES
Suite E, Silver Spring Center
3545 Marietta Ave. • Lancaster • 285-1361
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2495 Lincoln Hwy, Quality Center
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FLOWERS BY PAULETTE
258 N. Queen St. • Lancaster
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45 N. Market St. (next to Quilt Museum)
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When you fnd it, review the
history of purchase and selling
price. A dramatic increase
in selling price over a short
period of time indicates a
large renovation or addition.
Check building permits which
list types of structure, dates of
construction, details, and owner.
As you follow your property back
through deed books, make a
copy of each deed. Be sure to
document the page and volume
numbers so that you can easily
go back to a deed if you want
further information. You may
learn interesting details such as
whether “quit-rent” was paid to
a property owner and the names
of immediate neighbors. A sharp
increase in property value could
mean a building was added or
there was a major renovation to
the existing home.
You may also fnd useful
information by researching the
Title. You can pay someone
from the title company to do the
research or, you can do it yourself.
Check other public records based
on owner’s names and address
of the house. Often an older
home will pass from one owner
to another through a mortgage
or will which doesn’t show up on
deeds. Look at surveyor maps to
see if anything has been added
or demolished. A good place to
start is the assessor’s offce in your
jurisdiction. The assessor keeps
records of the taxable value of
the house and there may be old
appraisals on fle that describe
the house in great detail. You can
also check old city directories
(try reverse phone books that
list the home by address), which
often list people’s occupations as
well as addresses and can help to
establish the dates that someone
lived at a particular address.
Library reference rooms
and computers can help track
information. Search through
historical records and lists of
address of previous owners.
Neighborhood names and street
signs change with the times. If
you know the date of sale of your
home from the deed, you may be
able to fnd a newspaper clipping
about the sale by searching that
date in the newspaper archives.
A librarian can direct you to
federal and state census records
that often contain valuable
household information.
The Historic Preservation Trust
is a gold-mine of information
about historic residential and
commercial properties in
Lancaster County. The Trust
conducted a county-wide survey
and inventory of older and
historic properties in the early
1980s. Carefully catalogued,
the survey provides valuable
information and photographs of
many properties both in the city
and throughout the county.
Also at the Trust, are Lancaster
City Sanborn Insurance Maps
which show buildings and
describe whether they were
made of brick or wood and
what outbuildings were on the
property.
Numerous historical
organizations in individual
townships offer localized
information, artifacts,
photographs, and maps of the
area. A complete list of historical
organizations with locations and
contact information was put
out by the Lancaster County
Planning Commission on July
1, 2011. Trach suggests calling
ahead with some key information
to give staff (who are often
volunteers) time to prepare for
your visit.
Look at other public records,
especially if you fnd gaps in
the deed records. Mortgage
records often contain detailed
descriptions of buildings. Wills
and other probate records may
list previous owners. Warrant
maps (show original ownership
of plots of land such as the
land grants to the William Penn
family). Tax records, available
at the Court House, show when
properties were added to or
altered. The Lancaster County
Library has a room devoted to
Lancaster County history.
Another excellent source for
information is LancasterHistory.
org where you can search for
newspaper articles, documents,
city directories, civil war records,
etc. There Trach found a photo
of her home. Standing outside
were a young boy and girl. She
was able to identify and meet the
gentleman in the photo.
Visiting other vintage homes
of the same time period will
not solve any mysteries about
the house you live in, but Trach
found such visits gave her ideas
for things to research. Learning
more about life at the time
period her home was built also
gave her home decorating ideas.
Searching for history can be
as simple or as complex as you
make it. Your interest and time
availability will determine how
involved your search will become.
Whether your goal is simply to
discover the year your house
was built or to write an in-depth
documented history of every
architectural change that your
home has undergone, Trach’s
advice is the same: “Anywhere
you go, keep asking questions.”
Once you have gathered all the information you can fnd,
you will have pages of notes, photocopies of documents and
maps, and possibly photographs. Use them to put together
a chronological timeline of your home’s past. Show how and
when various parts were added or demolished and what
natural events may have made changes to the house. If you
want to make it a family project, involve children in creating
a scrapbook that weaves together an historical narrative
with documents, photographs, and drawings.
Your home doesn’t have to be historic, or even 30 years old
to begin a history project. If you are in the process of building
a home or have recently completed construction, now is a
good time to start a history of your home. If the house is
currently under construction, be sure to take photographs as
it progresses. Find out what was on the property before your
home was built and fnd out why the neighborhood changed.
Record information about the architect and builder and
about your experience living in it so far. Update your history
whenever interior or exterior changes are made. This may not
seem as exciting as learning that “George Washington slept
here,” but yours will be a frst person account of history in
the making.
Historic Preservation Trust building.
n
continued from page 7
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Historic Preservation Trust building.
Y
ou’re rolling
through bucolic
scenery as you
sip wine, while
seated in the plush
surroundings of a mahogany-
paneled railroad carriage.
Perhaps you would like a beer,
or a cocktail, instead. Or a bite
from the cheese tray.
No, you’re not in Europe,
and you’re not on the Orient
Express. You’re ensconced in
the parlor car Marian, fagship
of the Wine & Cheese Train
of Lancaster County’s own
Strasburg Rail Road.
And while you are not
chugging your way from Paris to
Venice on that fabled express,
you’re still getting a taste of
railroad elegance the way it
used to be, along with a unique
way to enjoy the Garden Spot’s
fruit of the vine, as well as
the grain.
“We try to feature our local
vineyards,” says Craig Lefever,
general manager at Strasburg
Rail Road. The Wine & Cheese
Train, which runs Saturdays
April through November,
rotates among different regional
wineries. In the past, passengers
on the Marian have enjoyed such
vintages as the appropriately
named Strasburger Red, a
sweet red wine from Gap’s Twin
Brook Winery.
“It’s a lot of fun. You get to
meet different people,” says
Melissa Jobe, of Twin Brook.
Husband Tim is winemaker at
the vineyard, located not far
from the Strasburg Rail Road’s
Paradise end of the tracks.
Melissa and Tim have both
worked on the train, offering
such selections as Twin Brook’s
Pinot Gris and Cabernet Franc.
“You get your ‘sea legs’ a little
bit,” Melissa admits of the trip,
in which a slight sway from side
to side adds to the atmosphere.
“We try to [offer] fve wines,”
ranging from dry to sweet to in-
between blush wines, Melissa
notes. She adds that many
visitors from outside the area are
aware of the county’s grape vine
bounty, thanks to the Internet.
Beer also has a strong local
connection, along with another
name that’s linked to where the
train travels. Lancaster Brewing
Company’s Amish Four Grain
Pale Ale has been poured on
board, Lefever says, along with
“a seasonal brew that varies”
from LBC.
This year marks the sixth year
the Wine & Cheese Train has
carried travelers in style, and
what style it is.
The Marian dates from
around 1915, and was originally
a carriage on the old Boston &
Maine Railroad. “Everything
above your head is original,”
notes Lefever of the coach’s
ceiling, but the carved paneling,
beveled and stained-glass accents
and vintage-look lighting
fxtures were all reproduced to
re-create an early 20th-century
frst class experience.
There’s a bar at one end of the
car, and an observation platform
at the other. In between are plush
chairs and small tables on which
to rest your drink. The $36 per
person fare for the 45-minute
ride includes complimentary
wine, cheese and crackers;
beer, mixed drinks, and non-
alcoholic beverages are available
for purchase.
The Marian attracts “a mix of
locals as well as tourists,” says
Lefever, and it should be noted
that the car is for adults 21 and
older only. Kids are, of course,
welcome to enjoy the many
other aspects of the Strasburg
Rail Road, which includes rides
in vintage coaches and the
railroad’s miniature “Cagney”
steam train which chugs around
a tiny track of its own. And there’s
always those three-times-a year
visits by family favorite Thomas
the Tank Engine to Strasburg,
not to mention Santa Claus and
Easter Bunny train treks.
And the Marian is just part
of the grown-up experience
at the Strasburg; the railroad
undertook renovations to its
popular Lee E. Brenner dining
car and Henry K. Long lounge
car this spring to expand its
frst-class service (beer, wine and
spirits service is also available in
the lounge and dining cars).
So if the Orient Express is
out of your travel budget this
year, there’s still a way to raise
a glass as you steam through
the countryside. Pop the cork
or pour the brew, and it’s
“all aboard” at the Strasburg
Rail Road.
The Wine & Cheese Train runs
Saturdays through Nov. 17
on the Strasburg Rail Road,
Route 741 East, Strasburg.
Photo identifcation is required
to board the Wine & Cheese
Train; advance reservations
are strongly recommended.
Call 687-7522 or log on
to strasburgrailroad.com
for schedules and other
information.
All Aboard!
Written by: Stephen Kopfinger
VINE & STEIN
n
March 31, 2012 • BOOMers
®

13
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BOOMers
®
• March 31, 2012
1. Be fexible with
gentle stretches
Stretching might seem like a basic
physical activity, but its positive
effects can be substantial. Especially
for boomers, stretching for fve to
15 minutes each day can help keep
muscles and joints fexible, and help
increase overall body health. Plus as
you age, stretching can help maintain
your mobility levels and decrease the
risks of falls. Try gentle stretches to
get your blood fowing in the morning
or before you take a walk. Want to
try something different? Yoga blends
stretching and strength for a wonderful
workout for people of all ages.
Time requirement: 15 minutes or less
2. Get an oil change - in
your kitchen
The right kind of
oils can beneft
your health and
wellness, and the
wrong ones can put
you at risk for high
cholesterol, heart
disease and even
cancer. Cooking
healthy means
stocking your
pantry with
the right kinds
of oils so you
can enjoy the
foods you love the right way. Two to
keep on hand are extra virgin olive oil
and organic grapeseed oil. Olive oil
contains monounsaturated fats which
can help boost healthy HDL cholesterol
while at the same time help to reduce
unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels. Lower
cooking temperatures or cool/room
temperature usage is best. Organic
grapeseed oil has a more neutral favor
and a high smoke point, allowing for
higher temperature cooking while
using a lighter hand in measures with
this healthier cooking oil.
Time requirement: 5 minutes or less
3. Consider taking
an omega-3 fsh oil
supplement
Recently, there’s been a lot of talk
about omega-3 essential fatty acids
and their ability to prevent common
disease as well as beneft brain and
overall health. Because you can only
get these essential fats through what
you eat, Americans often don’t get
as much as they need. Include food
sources like wild salmon and sardines,
as well as plant sources like walnuts
and faxseeds. Luckily, you can fll
a nutritional gap by incorporating
a high-quality fsh oil supplement
into your daily routine. A high-quality
supplement can mean more beneft
to your health.
Time requirement: 2 minutes or less
4. Eat more
fresh
fruits and
veggies
each day
Few foods can provide the high levels
of nutrients your body needs than fresh
produce, yet more than 80 percent
of us are not getting enough. It’s
important to aim to make half your
plate fruits and vegetables at meals
every day. And try to incorporate
fresh fruits and veggies daily, and
don’t forget about frozen and dried
options without added sugars or
preservatives. They’re super nutrient-
rich, too. The tasty options are endless
- from berries, apples, bananas, and
cherries to broccoli, tomatoes, carrots,
cabbage, and kale. Be adventurous
and try a new recipe that features a
veggie you’ve never had before. Or,
taste local favors by visiting your
neighborhood farmers market.
Whether for a snack or with a meal,
fresh produce is great for any baby
boomer’s diet.
Time requirement: 5 minutes or less
Big-impact
health activities
you can do
in 15 minutes
or less
T
he American baby boomer generation isn’t content
sitting still - they live full lives working, traveling and
pursuing their favorite hobbies. Age is only a number
for this determined group whose population is pushing
an estimated 78 million. If you are one of the many
active baby boomers, you understand your health is a priority, but that
doesn’t mean you want to spend long hours each day making sure you
stay well. Luckily some of the best things you can do for yourself only
take a matter of minutes each day.
Dr. Wendy Bazilian (wendybazilian.com), a doctor of public health,
registered dietitian and author of “The SuperFoodsRx Diet: Lose
Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients,” knows the importance of
optimizing health for baby boomers. Simple healthy activities, when
done on a daily basis, can have a huge cumulative effect on health and
wellness. Here are four big-impact health activities from Dr. Bazilian
that you can do in 15 minutes or less:
n
courTesy of ara conTenT
March 31, 2012 • BOOMers
®

15
EVERYDAY Living
Average Cost of a New Home ................$12,500
Average Income per Year .........................$5,556
Average Monthly Rent .................... $110/month
Tuition to Harvard University ....................$1,520
Average Cost of a New Car ......................$3,125
Gas Per Gallon ..................................... 28 cents
Dozen Eggs ........................................... 32 cents
TOP SOngS
1. “Peppermint Twist-Part I” by Joey Dee
2. “Duke of Earl” by Gene Chandler
3. “Hey! Baby” by Bruce Channel
4. “ Don’t Break The Heart That Loves You”
by Connie Francis
5. “Johnny Angel” by Shelley Fabares
POPULAR FiLMS
1. Spartacus
2. West Side Story
3. Lover Come Back
4. That Touch of Mink
5. El Cid
6. The Music Man
7. King of Kings
8. Hatari
9. The Flower Drum
Song
10. The Interns
POP Tv SHOWS
1. Beverly Hill Billies
2. Candid Camera
3. The Red Skelton Show
4. Bonanza
5. The Lucy Show
6. The Andy Griffth Show
7. Ben Cassey
The frst US rocket Ranger IV
lands on the moon on April 26.
The First Wal-Mart discount store
is opened by Sam Walton in
Bentonville Arkansas.
The frst Kmart department store
opens in Garden City, Michigan.
Oral Polio Vaccine developed by
Albert Sabin given to millions of
children to combat Polio.
Johnny Carson begins as
presenter for The Tonight Show.
Release of frst Beatles recording:
the single “Love Me Do.”
WHAT HAPPEnED
Rioting on University of Mississippi campus following Black
student James Meredith attempting to enroll. Ending when
federal troops and U.S. marshals take control.
FLASH BACK 1962
CouRTESY of ARA ConTEnT
John H. Glenn, Jr.,
becomes frst American
to orbit the Earth during
friendship 7 orbit.
16
BOOMers
®
• March 31, 2012
S
weep away the gray days of
winter and invite sunshine
and friends inside. This year,
open the door to spring with
a bite-sized brunch. Whether
entertaining a house full of guests or
enjoying a casual meal with friends, put
a fun, fresh twist on any celebration with
a collection of easy, yet scrumptious,
recipes. These recipes feature fresh
eggs - a breakfast staple and a sure sign
of spring.
Bite-sized foods are on-trend for
entertaining menus because they add
visual appeal and allow guests to customize
their portion sizes. Instead of serving a
full meal, feature a more casual buffet
table with fve or six different dishes.
Hosting a bite-sized brunch is as easy as
1-2-3: Choose fresh ingredients, decorate
simply and add fnishing touches.
The experts at the Land O’Lakes Test
Kitchens have developed three recipes for
a bite-sized brunch. These favorful treats
will delight guests as the centerpiece for a
delicious meal. Mini Mexi Bites get their
spicy favor from hot and creamy pepper
jack cheese. Fresh red and green veggies
add bright color to each bite. Breakfast
Biscuit Bakes are a winning combination
of scrambled eggs, cheese, ham and
onions. This fun twist on a classic dish is a
surefre way to please any breakfast crowd.
Finally, Bacon-Topped Deviled Eggs are a
tasty version of a traditional favorite. The
gentle smokiness of the bacon blends with
the classic favor of an all-natural egg.
Decorate simply.
Create a fresh spring theme that’s ftting
for a festive brunch. Keep it simple with
crisp, white table linens, colorful fowers
arranged in a white pitcher and bright
accessories. Combine a variety of colored
plates and bowls to create an eclectic, yet
casual, look. These small details are all
that are needed for the table to declare,
“Spring is here!” After all, tiny details
equal big results.
Add fnishing touches.
Fresh fruit salad or colorful cupcakes
served in little cups provide the perfect
fnishing touch. Prepare a chilled
beverage the night before, such as iced
tea served with frozen mint-infused ice
cubes or a large pitcher of lemonade, to
serve as an alternative to coffee or tea.
The arrival of spring is a joyous occasion
to celebrate with family and friends. With
warmer weather and a change of season,
guests look forward to socializing again.
Take advantage of fresh ingredients and
serve small bites of your favorite dishes. For
more great brunch ideas and the recipes
for Mini Mexi Bites and Bacon-Topped
Deviled Eggs, go to www.landolakes.com
or “like” Land O’Lakes on Facebook.
Breakfast
Biscuit Bakes
IngredIents:
4 (3/4 ounce) slices American cheese
1 (10.2 ounces) can (5) refrigerated
big faky biscuits
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup fnely chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped cooked ham
5 Eggs, well beaten
dIrectIons:
Heat oven to 350 F. Stack cheese slices.
Cut into thin strips; coarsely chop. Set
aside. Separate biscuits; cut each in half.
Let stand at room temperature 5 minutes
to soften. Press each piece into bottom
and up sides of 10 lightly greased muffn
pan cups. Set aside. Melt butter in 10-inch
nonstick skillet over medium-high heat;
add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally,
until onion is softened (1 to 2 minutes).
Add ham; continue cooking 1 minute.
Add eggs; cook, lifting gently and stirring
slightly to allow uncooked portions
to fow underneath, until set (1 to 2
minutes). Immediately remove from heat;
cool slightly. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon
chopped cheese into each biscuit cup.
Divide egg mixture among muffn cups.
Press down egg mixture slightly; sprinkle
each muffn cup equally with remaining
cheese. Bake for 14 to 17 minutes or
until puffed and biscuits are lightly golden
brown on edges. Serve warm.
Host a
bite-sized
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CourtESy oF ArA ContEnt