|
Idyllic Village in Amish
Country Delights Those Seeking Traditional Values and a Slower
Pace
Cost of Living: Below the National
Average
Snuggled deep within the scenic rolling farmland of the Amish
countryside, just outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Lancaster
County in southeastern Pennsylvania), the small historic village
(population 9,000) of Lititz is as quaint and charming as they
come. This is Pennsylvania Dutch country, and the simpler,
slower Amish way of life has cast its spell over the citizens of
Lititz, a community that was founded by the Moravians in
1756. Today, 25 different Amish, Mennonite and Brethren
groups live in Lancaster county and many of the 18th-century
structures built by the original settlers, including old stone
mills, and wooden covered bridges, still stand today. People are starting to discover this wonderful hamlet, attracted
by its embrace of traditional values, its beauty and and its
rich heritage.
|
|
This hospitable hamlet is known as the
"Lancaster County Treasure," and there are plenty of
reasons why. Tree lined streets, a deep connection to its
past, cozy shops, boutiques and cafes, interesting museums and
art galleries and 250-year-old architecture all contribute to
Lititz's rich and inviting ambiance. And those who
venture into the surrounding countryside are transported to a
different place and time. The Amish and Mennonites
live and work here, farming much as their ancestors did, shying
away from modern life and embracing the traditional values of
home, family and service to God. They are simple,
peaceful, private people, often bothered by curious
tourists. Those who live here, though, respect and often
admire these "Plain People" and their way of life. |
And while the citizens of Lititz are not Amish
themselves, there is a gentleness to community life here,
perhaps influenced by the surrounding Old World values.
Lititz and nearby towns have fairs and festivals, farmers'
markets, fire department fundraising "mud sales,"
wineries and breweries for touring, quilt sales, craft
demonstrations, historic re-enactments, antique markets
(Adamstown down the road is known as the "Sunday Antiques
Capital of the United States" as more than 3000 antique
dealers gather here to display merchandise), even Amish buggy
rides and tours of Amish farms. There are 28 wooden
covered bridges to visit in the county. Lititz is also
home to the longest-running 4th of July celebration in the
nation, a tradition started in 1813, and to the nation's oldest
girls' boarding school, not to mention the Wilber Chocolate
Candy Store and Museum!
Several nearby lakes, including Eagles Mere Lake, provide for
excellent water recreation, and Worlds End State Park offers
spectacular scenery and is a wonderful spot for hiking, fishing
and swimming. Kids love Knoebles, a nearby family-owned
amusement park that has no fence or main entrance point in
nearby New Berlin. There is no fee for parking, admission
or even the shows. This fun attraction is home to
two of the nations top twenty roller coasters as well as a
1930's style Grand Carousel. For golfers, Lancaster (9
miles away) has at least 5 private and public courses.
Crime in Lititz is practically non-existent, a definite plus
for retirees, although one sensational crime did occur here in
November, 2005 when a child was abducted and killed.
The Lititz Senior Center (717-626-2800), located in the
Lititz United Methodist Church, offers a variety of programs for
seniors, including screening, social activities and
transportation services. There is also a Meals on Wheels
program. Volunteerism is alive and well, and retirees find
opportunities with the Red Cross, the Youth Soccer Club, the
Lititz Public Library or through one of the more than 40
churches, many of them Mennonite and Lutheran with dedicated
volunteer programs.
Heart of Lancaster Community Hospital is a new (2004)
full-service facility that offers emergency care, pain
management, respiratory therapy and much more.
Ephrata Community Hospital, 8 miles away in Lancaster, has
received the 2007 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical
Excellence, one of only 266 hospitals nationwide to receive the
award, and ranks in the top 5% of hospitals nationally when it
comes to mortality and complication rates.
Lititz experiences four distinct seasons. Summers
(highs in the 80s) are full of farming activities and events;
winters (lows in the 30s and 8 to 10 inches of snow a month) are
a time for candlelight tours of elegant mansions and
old-fashioned holiday celebrations. Falls bring crisp air,
brilliant blue skies and blazing foliage. Humidity
averages 65% (higher in the summer). The sun shines
roughly 60% of the time.
This is a thriving, growing community (even the Amish have
tripled their population since 1960) with a solid middle class,
but there are a few drawbacks. There is no public
transportation, but there are a lot of walkers and
bicyclers. It is a conservative place, leaning heavily
Republican, which may not sit well with everyone. It
is in a rural location (the nearest large city, Baltimore,
population 650,000, is 65 miles southwest), although many
amenities can be found in Lancaster (population 55,000).
The town also has a higher than average rate of tornado
activity. Overall, though, this is a great little spot to
call home.
Lititz,
Pennsylvania, Continued....
|