Stephanie Kalina Metzger
Freelance writer based in Pa
Freelance writer w/focus on hotels, hospitality, travel, food, trends and health. Blog: cheeseplatesandroomservice.com. Work appears in 25 publications.
PROJECTS
salamandermagazine.com
Travel by Taste
Dive into local flavor with place-based cuisine and unique epicurean experiences.
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger
Travel is all about authentic experiences, and one of the best ways to immerse yourself in local culture is through cuisine: the flavors and dining customs that are unique the area. According to a recent survey conducted by AAA, approximately 75 percent of Americans feel that food and dining are an important part of their travel experiences. Four out of five have toured wineries and d...
theburgnews.com
Family Way: As Smith Land & Improvement turns 100, a new generation takes the lead.
Family businesses are so important to the economy that Forbes Magazine has even created something it calls the “Family 500,” an index comprised of the largest family-owned businesses in the world.
You won’t find Camp Hill-based Smith Land & Improvement Corp. on that list (at least not yet), but the company has played an important role in the Harrisburg area’s economy for a century.
Founded in 1918, the company didn’t actually start out as a family venture, which came a bit later and took some...
The Sentinel
Discerning Diner: Grazery offers healthy fare in historic location
The building located next to the Bosler Memorial Library on West High Street holds a special place in the hearts of those who are familiar with its history of serving up special treats to the people of the region. A cursory search reveals an ad dating back to 1897 promising “cakes baked to order on short notice.” Homemade root beer is touted as an “H. Rhoads specialty.” Years later, a 1946 ad tempts readers with strawberry frozen custard served up at L. Kohr Frozen Custard Store. Fast forward...
cheeseplatesandroomservice.com
Omni Bedford Spring's Resort Stands the Test of Time
I visited the Omni Bedford Springs for the first time this Valentine's Day. Until then, I knew little about the property and its rich history, but soon learned more thanks to a knowledgeable guide who conducts group tours throughout the week.
Located in the Allegheny Mountains of south Pennsylvania, the Omni Bedford Springs is home to eight mineral springs which, for centuries, were used by Native Americans for drinking and bathing. The water, with its rich mineral content, was said to contai...
Susquehanna Style magazine
Something New is Springing Up at Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is a sight to behold for both young and old. Situated on approximately 1,077 acres, the vast horticultural display includes a collection of glorious gardens, canopied woodlands, and lush meadows. The 4.5-acre conservatory alone is a photographer’s dream, with its abundant natural light and 20 indoor gardens showcasing 5,500 types of plants. To encourage budding little horticulturists, Longwood offers a space where kids can explore to their hearts’ content. T...
The Sentinel
Discerning Diner: Marcello’s in Carlisle worth the splurge
Like so many others, I’ve been making a conscientious effort to cut back on carbs these days. But if you can’t splurge on your birthday, when can you?
Last week, I made it a point to bank a few calories to indulge in a pasta feast at Marcello’s, a BYOB I’ve heard about but never tried.
Located a bit off the beaten path at 900 Cavalry Road, North Middleton Township, Marcello’s takes up the better part of a medium-sized strip mall, and its sizable lot makes finding a convenient parking spot sim...
travelgumbo.com
"American Treasure Tour"—Extensive Collection of Americana
Tucked away in a nondescript warehouse in Montgomery County not far from the Valley Forge National Historical Park is an extensive collection of Americana that has been delighting visitors since opening in 2010. The unique assemblage of antiques, kitsch and pop art housed in an old B.F. Goodrich tire plant, spans 100,000 square feet and is owned by a mysterious man who eschews the limelight. "He prefers to remain anonymous to allow the collection to take the spotlight," said Treasure Tour Dir...
theburgnews.com
The Charm of Sharon: Sometimes, romance is found in unexpected places.
Even its name is charming.
That was my thought upon visiting Sharon, Pa., a quaint town that features the Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa, listed among the “Top 10” romantic inns by iloveinns.com. That was reason enough to visit for a story that would run the month of Valentine’s Day, I reasoned.
Doing research beforehand, I also found out that the mansion, an imposing structure, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But otherwise, I knew little else about the tiny city abou...
cheeseplatesandroomservice.com
Stepping Back in Time to a 1700s-era Tavern in Bedford, Pa
I'm a fan of old taverns and, as such, the Jean Bonnet Tavern located in Bedford, Pennsylvania has held a bit of an allure for me, but it just never seemed convenient to make a special trip there until recently when we decided to visit Omni Bedford Springs resort (more to come on that in a future blog post.)
Many insist that the old tavern is haunted. For me that adds to its appeal, but as usual, I can't attest to it firsthand. I can, however, provide this link to an interesting video shot by...
The Sentinel
Discerning Diner: It’s a family affair at Tatiana's in Mechanicsburg
Years ago, while traveling through Palmyra, I spotted a new-to-me restaurant and decided to drop in for lunch. I can’t say I recall much about the small family-run eatery, other than the fact that the menu was rather overwhelmingly extensive, offering an array of dishes from a half-dozen cuisines from around the world.
When I was searching online for places to visit in Cumberland County, I recognized the familiar name and proceeded to check out the menu. When I saw that it had been paired dow...
The Sentinel
Discerning Diner: Spice up your winter with taste of Chalit's
If you’re tired of the same old restaurant routine, you might want to spice things up with a date night featuring healthy ingredients, aromatic flavors and spices that tingle the taste buds.
Thai cuisine consistently ranks among the top 10 favorites in polls, and Chalit’s aims to please. When I called on a Thursday afternoon for Friday night reservations, I failed to secure the slot I desired, so let that be a word to the wise.
The BYOB is located in a strip mall at 5103 Carlisle Pike in Hamp...
cpbj.com
Pride of the Susquehanna Stays Afloat
Pride of the Susquehanna overcomes adversity
The Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat was rolling along quite nicely until last year’s floods, which swept a cozy financial cushion out to sea and took along with it a few $40,000 docks. But diversification and improvisation saved the day.
The Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society was formed in the 1980s as a 501(c)3 community service organization to promote tourism and economic development. The board of trustees, which comprises volunteer business le...
Susquehanna Style magazine
Something to Celebrate
Look up the definition of “persnickety” in the dictionary and you’ll find “painstaking attention to detail.” Melissa Weiler lives by those words, which is why she decided to keep the original name of the York business when she took over the reins in 2008. She celebrates 10 years of ownership this year.
The shop, located in Olde Tollgate Village, was once a gift shop that included a stationery department. “When they sold the stationery side of the business, we decided to keep the name, since w...
The Sentinel
Discerning Diner: DaVinci's serves up homey Italian fare
I’ve been trying to watch my weight this year. Truly I have, but holidays are a challenge, with temptation lurking around every corner.
By the third week of December, my willpower is worn down to a nub (I hear it’s a limited resource; that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it). Oh sure, I could have chosen a salad at DaVinci’s in Silver Spring Township, but eschewing carbs at an Italian restaurant just seems wrong on so many levels, perhaps even an insult to the proprietors.
So, after a bit of ...
Susquehanna Style magazine
Susquehanna Style’s Silver Spoon Awards
The Susquehanna River region is ripe with renowned restaurants gaining national notoriety. Whether it’s celebrities touting Lancaster’s scene or tourists flocking to Hershey, politicians stopping by Harrisburg or York’s burgeoning revival gaining attention, there is no shortage of choices when it comes to exceptional dining at locally owned and operated establishments. No chains are needed here when there is such a broad range of local businesses sourcing sustainable produce and giving back t...