Nang Couching of Siquijor: Idyllic Beaches, Witches & Black Magic $5.00 Helen and Me and the Evergreen Tree Confessions of a Cat Lover Lititz Public Library - So Much More than Books The Doors of Lititz Let’s Go to the Movies! Drive-In Flicks at Penn Cinema Wyndridge Farm – Cider, Craft Beer and Hemp! “Every Brick Tells A Story” – Tribute to Our Local Veterans “Urban Gothic” Short Stories from Lititz Author Jason Goodman Lititz, Then and Now – An Aerial View Serendipity: A Local Woman Rediscovers Her Passion and Creativity
0
8 Mysterious Isle of Siquijor: Idyllic Beaches, Witches & Black Magic in the Philippines. 14 Lititz Public Library So Much More than Books Creative and safe alternatives to serve and engage the community during these challenging times. 17 Let’s Go to the Movies! Penn Cinema hosts ʻdrive-inʼ style nights for family fun! 18 “Every Brick Tells A Story” Commemorative pavers pay tribute to our local veterans. 22 “Urban Gothic” A collection of short stories from Lititz author Jason Goodman 26 Helen and Me and the Evergreen Tree Helen the cat finds mystery in the evergreen window outside her front window…donʼt ask why.. 27 Confessions of a Cat Lover Theyʼre aloof, sometimes odd and quirky, always independent, and I love them. 5 28 The Doors of Lititz They are each different and unique, and like snow flakes no two are alike. 30 Wyndridge Farm Cider, craft Beer and…hemp? 34 Lititz, Then and Now An aerial view of downtown Lititz circa 1887 and 2020. 43 Serendipity A Local Woman Rediscovers Her Passion and Creativity 45 Just for ‘Pun’ Think you know your 1950ʼs TV shows?.. hereʼs a quiz 47 Did You Know Obscure, odd, quirky, and littleknown ʻstrange but trueʼ facts about Pennsylvania. 49 From the Kitchen Turkey /White Chili and Grannie Maeʼs 2-ingredient biscuits…yum!.
Spring Fever... Hope and renewal abounds after a very cold and difficult winter as we continue to do battle with the ongoing health crisis – can relief be on the horizon? Let us warm you with our latest offerings… First up, an intriguing tale from Lititz traveller Dave Brubaker, “Nang Crouching in Siquijor” and his journey to the beautifully mysterious Philippine island in search of curative folk remedies and the healing powers of…a witch! “Confessions of a Cat Lover.” Observations and rationale on the ongoing debate over dogs vs. cats and why we choose to befriend one over the other. Plus, the latest cartoon installment of “Dot & Eddie.”” Taste and Treat! Cider, craft beer, and hemp are the offerings of Wyndridge Farms, this Lancaster micro brewery bringing their products to Lititz venues and popup events at Kissel Valley Farm.ʼ Regular contributor Hillary Daecherʼs brings us two pieces about our own “Lititz Public Library: So Much More Than Books” and “Letʼs Go To The Movies” and how they are bringing their services to the residents of Lititz during Covid. “Serendipity” A chance meeting and friendly conversation leads a Lititz to rediscover her passions and creativity. Lititz resident and military veteran honors those who have served in “Every Brick Tells a Story” with the stories behind the commemorative bricks which adorn the Lancaster Veterans Memorial Park in Lititz. Ron Malec Executive Publisher & Editorial Director, Director of Creative Services Tracey Gullaksen Publication Editor Jackie Malec Food Editor Sharon Wilkes Circulation Manager Lauren Krause Marketing & Advertising Director Mary Higgins Historical Editor Contributing Columnists David R. Brubaker Davie Kramer Jason Goodman Sherri Daley Tracey Gullaksen Ron Malec Jackie Malec Hillary Daecher Kellie Obregon “Then and Now” Aerial views of Lititz circa 1887 and 2021! We are excited to welcome the talents of Lititz author Jason Goodman and an sampling of short stories from his “Urban Gothic”” collection, an amusing and whimsical read. “Helen Part and Me and the Evergreen Tree” is the latest installment of the life of the most curious and precocious cat, Helen. All that and more plus our regular features that include... “Just For Pun” Challenging questions of 1950ʼs TV triva. “Did You Know” Little-known odd, quirky, and ʻstrange but trueʼ facts about Pennsylvania. “From The Kitchen” Homegrown recipes from the cooks and bakers of Lititz... in this issue, “Turkey White Chili” and biscuits. Published quarterly by: Keystone Direct Promotions P.O. Box 138, Lititz, PA 17543 Phone: 717-344-0043 e-mail: lititzmagazine@mail.com Lititz Magazine, A Keystone Direct Promotions Publication P. O. Box 138, Lititz PA 17543 Internet: http://www.LititzMagazine.com Magazine Reprints: 717-344-0043 Lititz Magazine is published quarterly by Keystone Direct Promotions, P. O. Box 138, Lititz PA 17543, Ph. 717-344-0043, Internet http://www.LititzMagazine.com. Periodicals postage paid at Lancaster, PA and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Lititz Magazine, P. O. Box 138, Lititz PA 17543. Annual subscriptions in the U.S. $16.00 for one year, single copies $6.00 postage paid. Send remittance in advance to Lititz Magazine, P. O. Box 138, Lititz PA 17543. Printed in the USA copyright ©2021 by Keystone Direct Promotions. On the front cover: The many different and creatively decorated doors of the homes of Lititz. (Photo courtesy of RM Graphic Design No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission from the publisher. Permission to photocopy for internet use or the internal use of specific clients is granted by Keystone Direct Promotions for libraries and other educational or non-profit organizations. For other commercial use, please contact Lititz Magazine, P. O. Box 138, Lititz ,PA 17543 for more information. 6
Spring 2021 … a time for hope, healing and renewal Anyone who knows me thinks of me as someone who is low-key, optimistic and a go-with-the-flow type of person, and that was true even throughout most of the past 12 months that saw us threatened by a raging pandemic, stay-at-home orders and the spectre of unthinkable political and economic upheaval. To be honest, when we were initially put under lockdown I wasnʼt the least bit fazed or concerned. I am somewhat of an introvert and have been self-employed and working at home for the past 16 years, so this was no huge inconvenience for me . And not having to be bothered with the norm of social conventions, specifically those times when I just didnʼt feel like going out or being with people and having to make up some lame excuse for why not, was most refreshing. I was a happy camper…until recently. The absolutely surreal and unfathomable events of the November election, resulting insanity in our Capitol, and the onset of a very cold, snowy and dismal winter had all managed to finally wear me down, to the point of hopelessness, despair and utter depression. Even going to the grocery store has been a chore, like walking through an emotional minefield of people staring blindly forward and resisting any type of engagement, not even a smile, glance or friendly, hello…nada…zilch…bupkus, nothing. It seems we are all so ”Covid-weary”ʼ and have been circling our emotional wagons, just hoping, and praying for the cavalry to come galloping over the hill to rescue us from this prison we find ourselves so hopelessly locked in. Is this going to be the way this all plays out into the future I thought to myself? When, if ever, will we again feel safe to return to the those happier, care-free, precovid days when we could just gather with friends and family, go out for a meal at our favorite restaurant, go to a movie, attend a concert or sporting event, or simply enjoy the fellowship of attending church?…this canʼt be what life is destined to be into the foreseeable future could it?… 7 But despite all that appeared dim, there does seem to be a faint glimmer of hope on the horizon, and out of the tumult and turmoil of the past two months, we now have new leadership, however difficult and painful the process was. For that is our legacy, to freely decide who will lead us and to pledge our prayers and support to a newly chosen administration. And whether or not you agree with their policies, we all owe them the time and space to prove their worth and begin the process of solving the enormous slate of problems we all face as a nation, especially at this critical point in our history. I have decided and realized that here is hope after all…the promise and release of a number of Covid vaccines developed in just a yearʼs time, is a testament to the incredible brilliance and dedication of the world-wide community of scientists who have done what in years past was once thought to be unheard of, if not impossible. Yet here we are, on the brink of finally taking on the giant and daunting task of producing, distributing and administering this life saving miracle for which we have all been hoping, and praying for, yes, it seems that the cavalry has indeed arrived! Buoyed by this good good news, we give to you our March issue, filled with what we hope you find to be humorous, uplifting and inspiring articles, and of course, an entertaining read, to help take you away, at least for a brief moment, from the stress and worry which has seemed to haunt us for the past year. So with the coming of warmer weather just around the corner and the wonder and promise of the Easter miracle upon us, let us all take a deep breath and enjoy this most glorious of seasons. Spring, it is indeed a time for hope, healing, and renewal. Sincerely, Ron Malec, Executive Publisher Lititz Magazine
NANG COUCHING T OF SIQUIJOR A local man’s journey halfway around the world, to a mysterious and taboo island, in search of the curative powers of an eminent witch. by David R. Brubaker 38 12 he Dosie Dough coffee shop in Lititz harbors many secrets and is groundzero for scheming folks making plans, usually mundane, but sometimes nefarious. It was there, on a scorching August day, that I met the jovial Richard, a fellow aficionado of The Philippines, the Pearl of the Orient, a gentleman who lived nearby and had visited the country often. Over the past twenty years I had traveled there regularly, with side trips to Taipei or Hong Kong, or domestic destinations like Boracay, Bohol or Palawan, while he had
much farther. Enjoying a Diet Coke on the veranda, I asked my genial, sandwich-packing friend about what heʼd recommend for sinus problems – both my wife Marilyn and I had them, and they were unrelenting. I also mentioned our upcoming trip to the Philippines and described how I needed to consider my options for side trips. Marilyn and I preferred to avoid the overdeveloped tourist traps, opting instead for areas that had more of a traditional feel, less congestion, authentic local culture, and, most of all, uncrowded beaches. “You know, Iʼve bought some terrific folk or traditional medicines in the Philippines. The herbal remedies for shoulder pain work especially well – better than Bengay. There are medicines for all manner of illness, and I can tell you – theyʼre often effective. You might even try one of the witches over in Siquijor, or, even better, botanic cures. The island remains largely undeveloped with little infrastructure and it is remote and difficult to get to. Itʼs in the Visayas, not that far from Dumaguete and Dipilog. There are no Starbucks on Siquijor, or chain hotels…it is definitely “old Philippines,” simple and basic, but Iʼm told it has unimaginable beauty and is cheap.” “You havenʼt been there?” I asked... “Iʼve never been there been Iʼve often heard stories about Siquijor. Itʼs known as the Island of Mystique, and supposedly there have been many unexplained disappearances, victims of black magic, and, of course, the aswangs.... “Aswangs?” I asked. “These are allegedly form-changing creatures that come out at night, a combination ghoul and werewolf. I donʼt believe they exist. The thought of aswangs has, however, kept people away. Iʼll tell you this: itʼs supposed to be one of the most fascinating places in the world. Iʼd go, but my body canʼt take these hardship trips anymore. You go – Iʼll give you a list of potions to bring back. Just be careful. He placed his large, iced tea on the table, leaned back in his metal chair and tilted toward me and whispered with a laugh “donʼt go out at night – you never know.” I couldnʼt tell if he was putting me on, but Siquijor sounded like my kind of place. In Manila, a few expats told my wife Marilyn and me that theyʼd been to Siquijor, and a few had traveled around the island uneventfully. Most found it to be an old-style tropical paradise, but with an overlay of mysticism and, to them, superstition. Most encountered nothing more magical than sunbeams and mango crepes, although one American woman told us that she saw an aswang one night around midnight, rustling in the belete trees. She could tell it was warning her to stay away. Another woman in Manila fired her Siquijoran maid for putting small black stones in her daughterʼs pillow, which she interpreted as a bad omen. The magical is not confined to one class or type of person. The locals in Manila uniformly counseled us to travel elsewhere. GiGi 9
Fleepit Digital © 2021