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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's online News, Opinion, Arts and Entertainment information archive, serving the PA Capital Region. |
 One-Tank
GetawayMt. Gretna, A World Away By Kathy Snavely |
Whether you need a peaceful retreat from an overcrowded schedule or a cultural infusion to feed your soul, a weekend in Mt. Gretna easily fulfills those needs. Less than 45 minutes from Harrisburg, the scent of evergreen and sound of melodic songbirds relax your spirits amid the towering evergreens. Choose a walk through the woods to find out which woodpecker gently tap-tap-taps; or if a more sophisticated beat pleases your palate, attend one of the many world class musical concerts or stage productions. Jump from the rope swing or canoe on the lake...a wide variety of activities awaits you less than an hour away in one of Central Pennsylvania’s favorite summer destinations.
The Volkers told us to be sure to walk down the road a few steps to get ice cream at The Jigger Shop, a summer tradition since 1895. What kind of name is that, people often wonder, for an ice cream shop? The Jigger, as we discovered, is a concoction of vanilla ice cream, marshmallow cream and butterscotch or chocolate syrup, as well as a secret ingredient for good measure (Jigger nuts, of course). My husband opted for his usual banana split and I chose the low-fat frozen yogurt. This old time ice cream parlor has plenty of ambiance, with its stained glass table lights and outside deck. It also boasts a full-featured casual menu...but ice cream rightfully receives top billing. We meandered to Remember When, located next door, a delightful little gift shop with antiques and a few Mt. Gretna items. I explored every little nook and cranny inside and outside on the porch at least twice so I wouldn’t miss a thing! Enough for one night; off to slumber with the cherubs hovering nearby. (Just in case guests suffer late night hunger pangs, cookies and soda were located in the hall hospitality area.)
Following breakfast, we took a leisurely stroll through the campmeeting area. The narrow streets were lined tightly with darling cottages. It was obvious that Gretna-ites take particular pride in their porches. My husband remarked several times about the special architectural details of the quaint Victorian abodes. We passed the Mt. Gretna United Methodist Church and the tabernacle, which hosts summer services and a Bible Festival, conducted in late July/early August. Various music concerts are scheduled throughout the summer as well, featuring such groups as the Susquehanna Chorale and Quartet/DIE POSAUNEN (The Trombones). We went back to the Inn and rented bikes for a brief ride through the Timbers area of Mt. Gretna and by the lake, which offers a different flavor. Keith mentioned that mountain biking is also very popular in Gretna.
When I went back inside for some iced tea (the Inn’s private label brand, of course), I picked up pamphlets on the programs available throughout the summer. Impressed by the diversity, I glanced through each; who would believe in this quaint little town we could enjoy: * chamber and jazz concerts (including THE Joe Williams and the Rosetti String Quartet to name two programs from Music at Gretna); Kaye Ballard and Eddie Mecca on stage (two of several selections from Gretna Productions); organ recitals by reservation (at a private residence, no less); the Lebanon Swing Orchestra and the Travis Wetzel Trio (part of the Heritage Festival); and the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra or Big Band Memories (two shows of the Cicada Festival). These programs are just a sampling of their respective schedules. I remarked to Robin I was flabbergasted by all the activity in this quiet place. She added that the Pennsylvania Chautauqua also hosts book reviews (sponsored by Lebanon Valley College), painting classes, a variety of craft classes throughout the summer, and organized nature hikes. Sunday morning worship in the playhouse offers a different speaker and special music each week. Organized playground activities are available during the week for six to sixteen year-olds, as well as special theatrical and/or music programs scheduled just to suit their tastes. However, the busiest weekend of the year, Robin explained, is the third weekend of August, when Mt. Gretna hosts its annual Outdoor Art Show. Over 300 juried craftsmen descend on this little burg, along with thousands of buyers for the two-day event, rated among the best of its kind in the eastern United States. Another well-attended event is the Annual Tour of Homes, scheduled in August. This self-guided walking tour, of which the Inn is always a part, takes ticketholders to approximately eight homes and buildings, allowing them to savor the flavor of the many different architectural and decorating styles found here. Proceeds benefit Music at Gretna. The Volkers made dinner reservations for us at The Timbers; Cliff wore a sports jacket and I donned dressy pants and a blouse (this was one of two times we used the car until we left; everything else is within easy walking distance, even with my pathetically flat feet). The upstairs section in this dark wooded restaurant offers a 40 item buffet style dinner during the summer season. Downstairs by the fireplace, we ordered from a varied menu, including crab-stuffed mushrooms, french onion soup (my husband’s standard), and filet mignon. The Briodys, who have owned and operated the Timbers for years, also offer a musical revue that starts in July and runs through early September. The show, performed in its own outdoor theatre, features show tunes, popular music, and comedy sketches featuring professional singers and dancers. Following dinner, we enjoyed talking quietly on the Inn’s porch before retiring for the evening. Robin’s blueberry pancakes didn’t stay on the plate very long at breakfast. Cliff could only resist the call of those golf clubs for so long. Two courses were within five minutes, so he took off for his nine hole commune. I opted to catch the Mt. Gretna United Methodist church service; their services move outside to a circular outdoor tabernacle (built in the late 1800s) during July and August. Then, I organized and packed the bag before we departed. I especially liked the private label toiletries in the bathroom, particularly the french milled soap, so I bought a few bars to take home. We caught a quick lunch (and more ice cream) at The Jigger Shop on our way out of town, grateful for the brief time spent apart from our usual hectic pace. Our June weekend stay, without entertainment or antiquing, cost approximately three hundred dollars for two nights’ accommodations including breakfast, lunches and dinners for two. Mt. Gretna invites you to share in its unique beauty. Come hear its music in the playhouse or songbirds in the tall evergreens and oaks. Be amused by the squirrels foraging for buried treasures or spot one of those infamous turkey vultures swooping over Rt. 117. Devour a Jigger, or jump in the lake...fast or slow, the pace is yours to decide. Visual treats abound, from the charming Victorian cottages, to the quiet stream strolling through town and the drama of the stage. A quiet world away awaits you amid the towering pines. Come...rest...refresh...Mt. Gretna. Directions Specifics The Timbers Restaurant and Dinner Theatre, Timber Road, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064, 717-964-3601; Dinner Tuesday through Saturday and revue matinees on select Wednesdays and Saturdays. Reservations strongly suggested. Dressy casual attire. The Jigger Shop Ice Cream Parlor, Mt. Gretna Hide-a-Way, The Porch & Pantry Cafe, Memory Lane, Remember When, Albertson’s Carriage Company, Other Attractions Music at Gretna, Pennsylvania Chautauqua Summer Programs Mt. Gretna Bird, Tree & Garden Club programs: 717-964-2046; registration for painting classes, 964-0207, registration for craft classes, 964-3462 Gretna Theatre/Gretna Productions, Pennsylvania Avenue, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064, 717-964-3627 Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show, Mt. Gretna Bible Festival, Heritage Festival, Mt. Gretna Cicada Festival, The Lake at Mt. Gretna, Mt. Gretna Miniature Golf, Mt. Gretna Information Line, |
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First on our agenda was
to unload the suitcases at the Mt. Gretna Inn. Innkeepers Keith and Robin Volker warmly
greeted us upon our arrival. It was hard not to just settle on the porch and enjoy an
inviting rocker and the refreshing breeze. They described the Inn as “an original
arts and crafts home.” It’s comfortably furnished with a variety of eclectic
furnishings (mostly Victorian) that provides a warm atmosphere. I especially liked the
oriental rug flanked by an ornate burgundy velvet Victorian sofa, nested next to the grand
piano. Of their seven guest rooms (all with private baths, one of my personal
prerequisites), we selected the Wild Cherry, which overlooks the front lawn. The ornately
carved headboard on the queen-size bed accented the freshly redecorated room and
wasn’t too close to the gas fireplace. The cherub wallpaper border was a delightful
touch. We hung up the clothes in the closet and the freedom bag in the bath and then left
for dinner at the Mt. Gretna Hideaway, just a block from the inn. We chose to sit in the
dining room, rather than the tavern. This casual pub also featured a deck and tiki bar in
the rear. Their rotating specials included grilled mako shark and a seared New York Strip
Steak on this particular night. Following dinner, we strolled down to the rustic miniature
golf course and browsed through the antiques at Memory Lane. We spotted the Mt. Gretna
Roller Rink, immediately behind the miniature golf course. Once part of the Mt. Gretna
Amusement Park, it is not the only place to roller skate in Lebanon County. 
The next morning, Robin served a candlelight
breakfast at 9am. Warm cranberry muffins, a tasty egg and cheese souffle, and sausage
filled the bill for a good start to the day, along with a tall glass of orange juice.
Coffee lovers can also enjoy a special Mt. Gretna Inn blend coffee, which may be purchased
to take home. When asked about local history, Keith enjoyed the opportunity to share his
knowledge. The Pennsylvania National Guard was the first group to utilize land in this
area for a training site; their presence continued here until World War II. The Colemans,
famous for the Cornwall Iron Mines, built a railroad line between Elizabethtown and
Cornwall. In the 1880s, they announced plans to erect a recreational park at the Mt.
Gretna station. A man-made lake was added later, with pavilions and then a merry-go-round.
The Hotel Conewago was a grand hotel, built overlooking the lake and it offered luxuries
like electricity, telephones and the like, quite rare for that time period. The Brethren
Church began developing a campmeeting ground there in the 1890s. At the same time, the
Pennsylvania Chautauqua was founded, modeled after the successful cultural format in
Chautauqua, New York. The Kauffmans (original owners of the Mt. Gretna Inn) also built an
amusement park in Mt. Gretna, which operated through the 1920s. These areas flourished
until the Depression. Present day Mt. Gretna still offers the same charm of its heyday. 
For lunch, our options included The Jigger Shop, a quick sub from
the Mt. Gretna Corner Deli (best around, we’re told), the Hideaway or the Porch &
Pantry Café. We selected the Porch & Pantry, located in a brown-shingled building
behind the post office, and dined on the porch. The inside of the restaurant also hosts an
art gallery with a nice selection (including watercolors of Mt. Gretna landmarks). Owner
Barb Acker is famous for her baked goods, which we enjoyed along with a cup of homemade
soup. Cliff chose the vegetable lasagna, while I selected the capellini with tomato and
basil (both were tasty). While finishing our meal, a horse-drawn carriage passed by;
unable to resist the romance, I talked Cliff into the half-hour ride. The Albertsons, who
offer this charming service, can happily describe the scenery or allow you to quietly
revel in the Mt. Gretna ambiance. The carriage guides its passengers through parts of the
campmeeting area and Chautauqua, near the playhouse along Pennsylvania Avenue. We thought
of catching a refreshing dip in the lake or renting a canoe, but catching forty winks
sounded more appealing to my husband. While he slept, I found a comfortable glider on the
porch and read my latest fiction selection, reserved for those special times away. Robin
strolled by to water the flowers gracing the porch and mentioned a new service offered by
the inn. Advance ordered backpacks were available, stocked with guest’s choice of
wine and cheese, trail mix, homemade bread or sweet things. I could see why this guest
amenity would be especially appreciated by those choosing to hike up to Governor Dick.
When finishing the climb to the tower gracing the top of the mountain, a hearty snack
could be enjoyed while seeing for miles in every direction on a clear day. Hawk sightings
are very common from that perch.