On Aug. 27, To the sound of “ooh’s” and “aah’s” and vigorous applause, Garden Spot Village unveiled a sculpture of a nearly life-sized red maple tree in its recently remodeled Village Square atrium.
“The installation enhances our recent renovations, which reflect the region’s agricultural traditions and New Holland’s reputation as the garden spot of Lancaster County,” said Steve Lindsey, CEO at Garden Spot Village, after last Thursday’s ceremony. “As an example of ‘green ironwork,’ the sculpture is also in keeping with our core value of stewardship.”
Crafted by Amos Glick, founder of Compass Ironworks in Gap, and his sons, the 14-foot-tall, approximately 500-pound tree sculpture is completely hand made and hand finished. It required some 15,000 hammer strokes and took approximately 700 hours of work. The solid bar iron used in the sculpture averages 97.7 percent recycled content, and the Compass Ironworks manufacturing facility is completely independent of the electrical grid.
Warfel Construction, of East Petersburg, donated the sculpture. Matt Hartzler, president of Warfel Construction, was on hand for the unveiling and dedication, as were Lindsey and Glick. Lindsey welcomed the crowd of about 250 people, who had been kept in suspense until the black curtain surrounding the sculpture was lowered. After the unveiling, Glick talked about the making of the sculpture. Chet Yoder, director of pastoral services at Garden Spot Village, offered a prayer of dedication, and Hartzler also spoke.
After the dedication, the crowd moved outside the building, where Glick set up a portable forge and demonstrated his craft for interested onlookers.
The recent renovations at Garden Spot Village have attracted national attention. The Harvest Table, the community’s new upscale, farm-to-table casual eatery, recently won a national design award and was featured on the cover of a high-profile industry magazine. The dining venue’s interior features a modernized interpretation of a classic wooden corncrib, which creates a room within a room in the middle of the restaurant. Dozens of dramatically lit canning jars full of fruits and vegetables add splashes of color. The Harvest Table is down “Main Street” from the Atrium, painted in hues of pumpkin and berry, with rustic Douglas fir timbers overhead. The post-and-beam construction calls to mind fine Amish woodworking. A few steps away, beyond a pair of stone pillars, the Village Park brings the outside in, giving visitors the sense of relaxing in a beautiful garden. With the new sculpture in place, they will start to experience that as soon as they walk through the doors at Garden Spot Village.
About Garden Spot VillageFounded on faith in 1990, Garden Spot Village is a licensed, non-profit provider of innovative housing and lifestyle services that enrich the lives of older adults as an expression of Christ’s love.
Its flagship community, Garden Spot Village, opened its doors in 1996. A resort-style community for residents 62 plus, it provides a dynamic environment where individuals and couples can pursue purpose-filled lives. Located on a scenic 104-acre campus in New Holland, Garden Spot Village features award-winning architecture, exceptional amenities, more than 40 social clubs and an abundant schedule of activities.
Garden Spot also owns and operates Maple Farm, a household-model skilled care campus in Akron. In addition to its residential offerings, Garden Spot provides healthcare services on campus, and Garden Spot Village At Home personal care and companionship services to residents of Garden Spot Village and the greater New Holland community.
The organization embraces teamwork, excellence, service, stewardship, innovation and integrity. Garden Spot Village is affiliated with the Lancaster Mennonite Conference of the Mennonite Church, the Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Health Services, LeadingAge PA and LeadingAge.
Garden Spot Village is located at 433 South Kinzer Avenue in New Holland. For more information call 717-355-6000 or visit gardenspotvillage.org.
