Stepping into Kurt Fichthorn’s home is a treat in itself. The circa 1841 farmhouse is like a local historical preserve. Once an active horse farm owned by Kurt’s great-uncle Dan, the property, tucked away amid new development in East Cocalico Township. Once a bustling apparatus of early community, drawing neighbors to its harness-racing track.

The story begins in 1732 when Peter Bruegger (Bricker) and Margaretha Roesti emigrated from Bern, Switzerland, to the Cocalico Valley of Lancaster County. The Brickers welcomed five children to the family, including their youngest son, David Bricker (1755-1833), who came to own approximately 70 acres of land on the outskirts of what is now Denver. In 1801, he built a bank barn on his property and a year later, a farmhouse.

Dwight has always been a beer aficionado. In fact, he's working with a client who wants a beer kitchen in the basement of his home. But, as a result of guests bringing wine to the food fests he hosts in his outdoor kitchen, Dwight has developed an interest in that libation. When Dwight takes an interest in something, he goes all out. For example, he loves to cook and his outdoor kitchen is equipped with an array of appliances, grills, and a smoker. Friends know that whenever they travel, their assignment is to bring back a bottle of hot sauce to add to Dwight's collection.

Cooking in the great outdoors is a tradition that extends back thousands of years - perhaps even a million or more! And, cooking outdoors has always been "a guy thing" - envision cavemen, cowboys, mountain men, natives, boy scouts, and nature lovers preparing their specialties over open fires, then sitting around the dying embers and philosophizing about life.