Jeanne’s Journeys: Martinsburg to Johnstown

WP_20180909_10_51_06_ProThis past Sunday, we were at the Awake Holistic Show in Martinsburg, WV. It was the second year for the show but our first time in West Virginia. While the rain, I’m sure, may have held some people back, it was still well attended and of course, is still growing. We love the connections we make at the various shows we attend and this one was no different. One connection was with Rebecca Oubouzar, of Raven’s Own. Rebecca is writing an article for Therapeutic Thymes on the Kabyle, and their Kahina Stones.

We were supposed to be outside vendors and I am so grateful Melody found room for us inside. We were tucked in on the side between the one hallway to the restroom and the speakers’ room, so we had a constant – no pun intended – flow of traffic by us.

WP_20180911_09_28_27_ProMonday – yesterday – we traveled from Martinsburg, WV to Johnstown, PA. I wanted to check out Berkley Springs, WV on the way through. I had heard about the natural springs there, which I will definitely have to check out next trip. Driving through town, I noticed Portals A New Age Shoppe. I could have easily spent most of the day here! Located at 21 North Washington Street, this shop offers crystals, runes, pendulums, herbs, candles, jewelry, books, tarot cards, and more. So much more! They also have an in-house tarot reader, should you stop in and want a reading.

We then lunched at Tari’s A Premiere Café & Inn, located right next door to Portals. It was a decent, well priced lunch. Our waitress was great. Serving portions were a nice size. Glenn actually took half his sandwich to go! I – being the picky eater I am – only had a small piece of grilled chicken with bacon, no roll and no toppings. It was not exciting but that was me not a reflection of Tari’s. The décor was an interesting mix of the ages. There are three eating areas: the barroom, the restaurant, and the gallery. We definitely recommend stopping here, if you pass through town.

After lunch, we started back on the road to Johnstown, PA. Since time was not a factor, we decided to opt out of tolls and major highways. Our route took us through some small towns and villages. It took us through some places that would make a hamlet seem large. We went through Burnt Factory, WV on Route 522 out of West Virginia. We crossed the Potomac River on the West Virginia/Maryland line, making comments about the rising water and how fast she was flowing. The rivers we crossed yesterday were not our problem. No, our problem came on some minor road, between cornfields. I have no photos to share with you. I was so focused on how to get out of that “puddle” which went on for about a mile. I was about a quarter-mile in when I realized, I need to get out of there. Suffice to say, the under carriage of my Honda is now clean, and I really do dislike going in reverse! Once I got back to dry roads, Glenn took over driving. We hit a few more questionable spots and a couple roads already closed due to the rain. We traveled through the State Game Lands, just north of the Gallitzin State Forest. The water flowed on either side. It was both beautiful and potentially dangerous.

WP_20180910_16_13_41_ProPotentially dangerous. We stopped at the Johnstown Flood National Memorial next since it was on our way through. The reservoir was originally a water supply area for the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal. The dam was completed in 1853. The South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club bought the lake and the South Fork Dam in 1879 as a summer retreat for their prestigious members. Townspeople were hesitant about the dam, nervous about its safety. The South Fork Club assured everyone it was safe. Then on 31 May 1889, the lake had swelled after an evening of heavy rains. The South Fork Club tried to save the dam but the water crested and the force was too strong. That afternoon, the dam broke. In less than an hour, the wave traveled at 40 miles per hour and quickly overtook the town below. The people there had little or no warnings. Over 2,000 died that day and thousands more were injured.

Today, the sun is momentarily out here in Johnstown. We hope to get out and see some sights and just enjoy the day both today and tomorrow, before hitting the road again to head for the Mother Earth News Fair in Seven Springs.

Special thanks – and shout out – to Flo with Abagayle’s Travel Agency. She is based out of Lititz, PA, but has clients throughout the country. I use her for most of our travel needs. If you have travel needs, connect with her.

Until next journey …

© Therapeutic Thymes, LLC., 2018.

Jeanne’s Journeys: Frosty Hollow Herb Fair

 

WP_20180804_13_20_39_ProFrosty Hollow Bed & Breakfast is a beautiful, relaxing, family owned and operated B&B nestled along Route 44 just outside Coudersport. Guests filled the farmhouse, the cottage, and the converted barn. It was already booked when we heard about the Herb Fair, so we were not there for the B&B but rather the Herb Fair.

WP_20180804_08_40_16_ProThe weather held out for us Saturday and the Herb Fair was very well attended. Everyone was so welcoming. We felt like we knew the Ayers family for years, rather than just having met them. The Herb Fest was held literally in the clearing of their gardens. Yes, that was plural. Gardens. The had a section for vegetables, a corn section, and of course an herb garden, as well as flowers.

Vendors were varied. In addition to us, there was maple syrup, jewelry, pottery, herbs, kombucha, essential oils, natural soaps, vegetable and fruits, and more.

And the Gift Shop …

WP_20180804_07_45_25_ProIt was a selection of homemade jams and jellies, near salves and lotions, near pickles and salsa, against a backdrop of antiques, old store items, containers of herbs, sachets, and so much more. There were some seasonal decorative pieces and clothing with the Frosty Hollow logo. I also noticed some products by our own Sue Morris, of Sue’s Salves. And now, the gift shop at Frosty Hollow also sells an incredible magazine about herbs and natural living, and a therapeutic and sustainable way of life. Yes, they now carry Therapeutic Thymes Magazine! Our Summer Issue is on their shelves!

Click HERE for a complete list of places to find our magazine.

Sunday morning we had breakfast at Fezz’s Diner, as the place we stayed at did not offer breakfast. Good food. Good service. Great location – just off Route 6 on Ice Mine Road. The diner is actually the original 1954 Silk City Diner from Patterson, NJ. Now while that didn’t mean anything to me whatsoever, the hubby – Philly boy that he once was – was in awe and swears he ate at the original one in the 1970s with his Dad. In any case, if you go near Coudersport, stop in at Fezz’s., A word of warning though: they accept cash but not credit cards!

Until next journey …

© Therapeutic Thymes, LLC., 2018.

Jeanne’s Journeys: God’s Country

by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

Part of my role as Editor and Publisher is going around to various shows and promoting Therapeutic Thymes. My husband – and my IT & Logistics guy – almost always joins me. We meet the most wonderful people and see the most incredible places on or travels. I decided it was time to start a web-exclusive column journalling those travels.

Susquehanna River 3 August 2018 by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman
Susquehanna River 3 August 2018 by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

Friday, we left Lancaster en route to Coudersport for the Frosty Hollow Herb Fair (held yesterday).  We came up a day early to get settled and I wanted to pop in and meet/chat with some of our distributors up this way. That, and I wanted to stop near Liverpool on the way up. There’s this little rest area on 11 & 15 where I can usually dip my toes in my (Susquehanna) River. With all the rain lately though the access was roped off. She was running high and fast. There is just something about the Susquehanna that quiets my soul and relaxes me. We used to come up to Daddy’s cabin in the summers growing up and stop sometimes at this rest stop. His cabin was in Cross Forks in Potter County and it is so gorgeous there. There is an obvious reason this area is called God’s Country.

Bald Eagle State ParkSo fast forward before this becomes a book in and of itself, Glenn (hubby) suggested we try a “new” route, a “scenic” route. The next thing I know we are on top of the Bald Eagle State Park. Beautiful vista. We saw a doe and her fawn. I was very thankful the rain had stopped finally, that no one else was driving that one lane oil and chipped roadway, and that Michael (Daddario Auto & Tire in Lancaster) had fixed our air conditioning earlier in the week.  Along Route 144, while there was a bit of standing water on the road, the breathtaking image was the water running off the side of the mountain. Just incredible seeing the force of Nature.

We came into a little village – Germania – where we stopped at the general store / cafe / real estate office. Up  here, like many small towns, people tend to wear many hats. We met Brenda Adams there. She owns the store and cafe. She is also the local real estate lady. Very friendly. Love the “old time” feeling of the store. If you have a nostalgic bone in your body, this is a must stop on your travels. While there, I bought the History of Germania. Brenda said it supported the Ladies Auxiliary. The town’s history is interesting and I will most likely delve into it at some point on my genealogy site. Genealogy has been an obsession of mine for as long as I can remember.

From there, we traveled to Coudersport. Our first stop was the in, just to check in and confirm our lodging, and because it was the first stop we passed. It was clean. The steakhouse attached to it was great but the internet – wow. In town we stopped on Main Street, at the Potter County Artisan Center (PCAC), which is also home to the Coudersport Chamber of Commerce. So many artisans were featured there. There was local honey, jewelry, pottery, books, and of course Therapeutic Thymes Magazine is sold there too! Our next stop, also on Main Street, was the Hidden Passages Book Store. What an incredible place! She’s an artist (jewelry, paintings, everything). He is on the local borough council and is a bibliophile. Bryan (the owner) and Glenn engaged in a conversation that covered almost every genre of  books.

We didn’t find too much to do in town, even on a Friday night, but that was okay. We were pretty tired and needed to rest up for the Herb Fest. That and the Steakhouse closed at 9.  Internet up here is spotting (though I’m writing this at Fezz’s Diner during breakfast Sunday before we head out) but all in all, this has been a great trip! Looking forward to the next time up here. Later today, I will post about the Herb Fair at Frosty Hollow and our Sunday adventures!

© Therapeutic Thymes, LLC., 2018.

Therapeutic Thymes joins United Plant Savers

WP_20180720_08_32_09_Pro (2)Therapeutic Thymes has joined United Plant Savers as a Corporate Member. The mission of United Plant Savers (UpS) is “to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.” For more information, visit: https://unitedplantsavers.org.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Therapeutic Thymes joins United Plant Savers

WP_20180720_08_32_09_Pro (2)Therapeutic Thymes has joined United Plant Savers as a Corporate Member. The mission of United Plant Savers (UpS) is “to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.” For more information, visit: https://unitedplantsavers.org.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Healing through Food

The season of backyard barbeques is upon us. Heather Winfindale offers a dish, using vegan ‘sausage’, that everyone can enjoy. In addition, she explains why certain herbs are suggested. For example, curry powder contains Turmeric, which helps in aiding digestion.

Photo by Lady Heather Photography
Photo by Lady Heather Photography

“Beef” bowl
( Makes 4 servings)

1 package/14 oz meatless ‘sausage’
1 teaspoon organic curry powder
1 clove (½ teaspoon) minced garlic
½ cup chopped onion

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018

The Upside of Summer

Nutritionist Stephanie Jack discusses the importance of Vitamin D in her Summer article “The Upside of Summer.” Vitamin D regulates calcium metabolism and is important in the normal calcification of our bones. Dr. Jack explains, in everyday language, the importance of Vitamin D. While the sun is a great provider of Vitamin D, Dr. Jack also offers some suggestions for other sources of Vitamin D. In addition, she provides two delicious recipes.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018

The Upside of Summer

Nutritionist Stephanie Jack discusses the importance of Vitamin D in her Summer article “The Upside of Summer.” Vitamin D regulates calcium metabolism and is important in the normal calcification of our bones. Dr. Jack explains, in everyday language, the importance of Vitamin D. While the sun is a great provider of Vitamin D, Dr. Jack also offers some suggestions for other sources of Vitamin D. In addition, she provides two delicious recipes.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018

How to Select a Reiki Practitioner

Have you ever been interested in trying something new but had no clue where to start? We all do from time to time. Have you ever had a Reiki session? Would you know how to select a Reiki practitioner? Helene Williams offers advice on selecting a Reiki practitioner and what to look for when selecting one in our Summer Issue.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018

How to Select a Reiki Practitioner

Have you ever been interested in trying something new but had no clue where to start? We all do from time to time. Have you ever had a Reiki session? Would you know how to select a Reiki practitioner? Helene Williams offers advice on selecting a Reiki practitioner and what to look for when selecting one in our Summer Issue.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018