The "Heart Of Lancaster County" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Walking the grounds of Roots Country Market and Auction looking at some of the neatest and most original pieces of artwork.  I wrote a story last year about this same time after my first visit to the show which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.  Not quite sure why I had never taken the time to visit before last year, but after that experience I decided not to miss another one.   Since the show began in 1987 it has climbed in the rankings in the United States.  It has been recently voted in the TOP 20 Best Shows in the Country for traditional work by the Sunshine Artist magazine.  There are 200 juried artisans from across the country showing their artwork today as well as 25 food vendors throughout the show.  

Bagpipers stroll past the many artist's
tents to lend their music to the atmosphere.

Carol and I took our weekend guests, daughter Brynn and granddaughters Courtney and Camille, to see the show also hoping that one of them might find something interesting that we could purchase for a Christmas gift for them.  Parking was tight, but we managed to find a space close to the exhibits.  Began our walk and instantly the smell of food caught everyone.  Carol and I resisted the temptation while the others had to have a snack before walking.  I would like to feature a few of the artisans today to give you a very basic idea as to what could be found in this amazing show.  Follow along on my journey through Roots as I looked, talked and photographed my way through the show.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Susan works on her traditional paintings.

My first photo stop was at a stand featuring decorative painting by Susan Quinn.  What caught my eye as she worked in front of me was the size of the brush she was using.  The brush was stamped 18/0 and was the smallest width she had.  Couldn't have had more than a few bristles to it.  The minutely thin lines she was achieving were remarkable.  She was putting stems on holly leaves as I watched her do her magic.  Her story is much like mine in that she attended Millersville State Teacher's College in Lancaster County, became a teacher/school librarian and ended up following a life long interest in art.  All her painting is done in acrylic and is nontoxic with her first love being traditional patterns.  Recent trips led her to Europe where she loved the traditional painting done in the Black Forrest of German as well as the Alsace region of France.  Just so happens that these two areas are the birthplace for the Pennsylvania Dutch decoration she now creates.  She lives and has a studio in nearby Manheim, Pennsylvania.

Bob works on his pen and ink drawings while customers brouse.

At the end of one of the rows of artists was a gentleman I enjoyed from last year whose name was Bob Weaver whose display is called "Art Attack."  I just love watching him in action as he draws with pen and ink.  Bob graduated from Edinboro University with a degree in Art Education and taught at Yough High School for 37 years.  He coached wrestling, cross-country and track and field, thus the interest in sports in many of his pen and ink drawings.  His favorite medium is naturally pen and ink, but he also enjoys acrylic painting as well as watercolor.  Since retiring from teaching he has been able to spend more time with his passion of art.  I enjoyed one of his pieces and purchased it as a gift for my son-in-law as a Christmas gift.  It will not be featured here since I don't want to spoil my surprise at Christmas.

Dan using his scroll saw.

My final stop today was at another artist's stand who was demonstrating his talent on a scroll saw.  His work is titled "Scrolling It Out Woodwork."  Dan Shultz has been scrolling since the age of 10 when his grandfather gave him his first scroll saw as a birthday gift which Dan used to make Pacman necklaces.  He now produces ornaments, puzzles, nativity scenes, pictures and keychains.  What he produces is all done by hand without the use of laser cutters or computers.   The detail is remarkable and each piece is handmade using Dan's scroll saw.  His hands fly as he cuts piece after piece right in front of us.  He does attach a few pieces of wood together so when he cuts one, he will get perhaps three from the same cutting.  It take an average of 10-15 minutes to cut a typical Christmas tree ornament.  This demonstration caught the attention of many passersby as well as myself and my grandchildren who stood and watch him work.  Camille was so impressed that she talked her mom into an ornament of her name for the family Christmas tree.

One of Dan's many racks of personalized icicle ornaments.

My wife's name is featured amongst these ornaments.