The Double D Grubbery at Foxchase has taken entertainment into consideration for those waiting for a table or wanting to stay after dinner.

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, was once a bustling apparatus of early community, drawing neighbors to its harness-racing track.

When the Cardinas and their four sons moved into their home in 2000, their goal was to eventually do "something" with their large backyard that, according to Andy, "was nothing but grass." Their inability to decide on a direction- Enlarge the small patio? Build a large deck? - kept their plans on hold for nearly 10 years.

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.

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.

Like many families, this one had outgrown their home. So, they decided to explore their options. With two children in high school, they knew moving outside their school district was out of the question. Luckily, they discovered a large but rather basic house on a semi-wooded lot just minutes from their home.

Four years ago, Kerry bought the historic estate that dates to 1739. “It was originally called Bucher Thal, and at one time, it stretched over 400 acres,” he explains. Several generations of Bears lived and worked on the property. In the early 1900s, the Eberly family became its owners. Then, a local doctor bought it, after which a couple from the Midwest who operated an antiques business owned it.

Luckily for Kurt, Tracy had fallen in love with the four-over-four house that dates to 1841. She often commented on the house as they made their way from their home in Philadelphia to visit Kurt’s parents, who live just over a mile from the farm that had been established in 1838 (As was often the case, the barn predated the house). Actually, Kurt’s “relationship” to the property extends to both sides of the family, as his maternal great-grandfather worked as a mason on the property.

Twenty-five years ago, Jimmy found nirvana high on the mountainside in Galen Hall. What attracted him to the split-level-house- circa 1976- that had a hint of The Brady Bunch attached to it. "Five acres and good bones," he says in looking back at his decision to purchase the property.

Black Forest Brewery located on the property of the 1777 Americana Inn Bed and Breakfast in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, has been a local favorite to the community since 2010.

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 expansive outdoor kitchen, Dwight has developed an interest in that libation. And, 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.