Exciting things are happening at Central Market York!

Yesterday in a press conference, the USDA's Rural Development program awarded $99,000 to York's future Shared Kitchen Incubator at market. The project is YorKitchen, a commercial kitchen space that will be available for small culinary and agricultural businesses to prepare and package their goods. The project will offer affordable use of the space and its equipment as a way support local tastes and talents. 

Kevin Schreiber, Director of Economic Development for the City of York, said that the project is based on accessibility and education: the space will be open 24/7, 365 days a year and will be able to accommodate two users at a time.  Further plans include cooking classes for increased revenue, as well as training and educational classes for the economically disadvantaged residents of York. They will learn to cook healthy meals and read nutrition labels. 

Bob Reilly of Todd Platts's office noted that the awarded economic development dollars will work to turn Central Market York into a greater resource for the city and county through these types of partnerships. He said, "When you work together, this is what can happen."

Tom Williams, the State Director of the USDA Rural Development program, presented the check. He complimented the project, noting that when opportunity is given to people that have good ideas, they can in turn create revenue and more jobs for the area. 

We look forward to the next stages of YorKitchen!

In September of last year we played a game to see who our most observant reader is. We took close up photos of spots around town and whoever guessed them all right won a prize. This time, the photos are harder and the prize is bigger. 

Send us an e-mail with your guesses for each image and the first person to guess all 8 images wins an 11x14 print of their choice (our photo or yours)!! Be careful not to post your guesses in the comment section. Good luck!

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Thanks to our friends at Moxie Design & Marketing, we were lucky enough to tour and document the new Leg Up Farm therapy center in Mount Wolf.

Leg Up is the brain child of Lou and Laurie Castriota: parents, dreamers, and problem solvers.

In the late 90's, the couple had the idea to start a center for equine therapy for disabled children. Understandably, life got in the way when their own daughter was diagnosed with a cognitive disorder. Fast forward 10 years, and their dream started to solidify into an impressive facility on a beautiful piece of land in East Manchester Township. When all is said and done, they expect the center to assist 2,500-5,000 children.

 They can now look back on a 1999 painting and see what they have accomplished.

One of the main focuses of the farm is that it will serve as a therapy center for the whole family- a place where the child can get comprehensive treatment and parents can relax, use the internet, and share experiences and support with one another. There are several areas for families to use, including a row of wooden rockers out front.

A notable difference in Leg Up Farm compared to many traditional facilities is the sheer ingenuity that went into the construction and layout of the center. Not a single detail was planned without the big picture in mind: a secure door locking system, therapy rooms with adjustable light for children with sensory issues, and wood fiber walls for easy paper posting.

Leg up places a huge emphasis on the natural therapy of animals and the outdoors. The farm plans to have 12 horses, a donkey, and several goats that will both roam the pasture and be used in the large indoor arena (expected completion in September). The children will also have access to horse trails for longer outdoor rides and a work/learn vegetable garden. 

As the initial phases of the therapy center and equine facility near completion, the south side of the farm is just getting started. Dubbed Matthewstown after Matthew Potter who died on a fair ride in 2001, this miniature town will serve as both fun and educational for its young visitors.  Businesses will sponsor rooms with a chance to model the exteriors as stores, banks, movie theatres, and more. The insides will be functional rooms for various types of therapy. 

It was clear to us that Leg Up Farm is far from ordinary- it is a facility that is there to truly bring a unique and heartfelt experience to families with a disabled child. We wish them the best of luck in getting their center off the ground. 

We are busier than ever, but wanted to check in with an image we snapped yesterday. It was really nice to see so many people smiling, businesses doing business, and the awesome flowers in front of Central Market. Scenes like this just solidify how much we love York City.

It's full steam ahead at The Susquehanna Photographic - 7 weddings down in 2010 and many more to follow!

Clare & Chuck

Tamara & Ralph

Kristi & Scott

Cindy & Kevin

Jessie & Nate

Kayla & Wayne

Kate & Nate

Many thanks to all of our couples for making the first few months of the year so fun!