Summer Flavors
Summer Flavors
This is a space for quiet reflection and shared experiences
July 2, 2026
Dear Friend:
Summer had its own flavors. Fresh watermelon dripping down your chin, sweet corn picked fresh from the garden, homemade ice cream, and of course the occasional root beer float.
One of my favorite places for fresh fruits and vegetables was Central Market in Lancaster. Stand after stand offered produce grown on nearby farms and picked fresh that morning. Many vendors handed out samples, making every visit a culinary adventure. I loved helping my mom in the kitchen, so a trip to the market was always a treat. Being so close to the Chesapeake Bay, Lancaster also enjoyed an abundance of fresh seafood, another favorite found at the market.
Lancaster County had other farmers markets, Green Dragon in Ephrata, Roots market in Manheim, and Southern Market another Lancaster City Market. There were and still are road side stands out in the farm country surrounding Lancaster City.
Of course there is the all time favorite - Ice Cream. There were so many options in Lancaster County for fresh ice cream: Martins Ice cream, Shorty Macs and of course Marrows ice cream, and Dairies, Turkey Hill and Pensupreme. Many families made their own ice cream using the old crank machines. With the abundance of fresh fruit in Lancaster County you had a lot of choices for flavors. My favorite flavor is still chocolate. Add a little root beer and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and suddenly you had the perfect root beer float.
Then there was the picnic and grill food, of course hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. When the corn came in my Dad would cook corn on the cob on the grill. My siblings and I would clean the corn and fold the husks back over the ears before they went on the grill. Then came the hardest part—waiting for the butter, salt, and pepper to be passed around the table. The butter melted into every row of kernels, and that first sweet, buttery bite tasted like summer. The corn always seemed to taste even better because we had waited for it. We couldn't wait to take that first bite.
Another favorite was popsicles, the juice running down your arm was half the fun. My mom would make our popsicles herself. Juice, a mold and a popsicle stick were all you needed.
Around Lancaster, Washington Boro tomatoes were legendary. Sweet, juicy, and low in acid, people looked forward to tomato season every year. Washington Boro is on the Susquehanna River south of Columbia, PA. The community is famous for growing the “Jet Star” tomato. This tomato is sweet and low-acid. Rich limestone soil and the proximity to the river helps develop the flavor. Then there is the Washington Boro Tomato Festival every July and is famous for their tomato sandwich. Two slices of bread, tomato slices, mayo and salt and pepper. Yum.
Every community has its own favorite foods and traditions. Those special flavors become part of our memories just as much as the people we shared them with. Even today, one bite of a favorite summer food can take us back to childhood in an instant.
Tell me what your hometown is known for. I'd love to hear about the foods and traditions that make your community special.
Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to those you love.
Be well,
Emma
Emma is the voice behind Sharing with Seniors, a blog dedicated to honest conversations about life in later years. She writes about everyday challenges, meaningful decisions, and the importance of staying connected.