Making An Amish Friend in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

story and photos by

Megan Bomba

The Amish have been a very large part of the history of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. When we were visiting places around the area, we stopped in at Make-A-Friend Workshop at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. There we learned things about the Amish Way of life and were able to create our very own Amish friend.
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When we first got into the shop, the lady who worked there gave us a workshop pass. Then we got to choose a doll, mine had blonde hair and blue eyes, just like me! Then we got to choose a dress. Earlier that day we got our pictures taken at Amish Impressions where we dressed as Amish kids. I chose a navy blue dress for my doll, just like the one I was wearing in the picture.

We learned that from when they are born, the Amish girls never cut their hair; they just tie it up in a bun. She also told us that every piece of clothing and the dolls at Make-A-Friend Workshop were made by Amish ladies. The Amish don’t have sewing machines so all the work was done by hand.

We next got to choose the doll’s name. I chose Lydia. The woman explained that the Amish only have a couple dozen names that they can choose from and that they have been using the same ones for hundreds of years. Could you imagine having the same name as a lot of other people?

Next we went to Amish “school” where we learned how to write German Calligraphy and how to sew a kind of knot. That’s actually what the girls learned while at school. Then we got to choose an apron – either a black apron or a white apron – and a hair covering. I chose a black apron and I bought the white hair covering.

Lastly, we signed the certificate of authenticity and rang the “Friend Bell” to tell that a new friend was made!

HERSHEY'®S Chocolate World

story and photos by

Megan Bomba

I have got to say, this has got to be, just like the walking candy bars said, “The sweetest place on Earth!”

When we were at HERSHEY’®S Chocolate World, we got to see the 3-D movie, go on the mini ride that shows you how they make chocolate, and go in the shop and see the world’s largest Hershey bar! It was all really fun and let me tell you some more.

We first went on the ride which was very informative because it told us every little detail of the making of Hershey chocolate. They first start as cocoa beans. The beans are imported from tropical islands and then shipped to the Hershey factory. They are then ground up into cocoa powder. Next, they blend the powder which makes it easier to melt, which brings us to the next step. They melt the powder at one thousand degrees and then shape it into the bars and kisses, or coat the candy that is inside, like a Take Five bar. They have machines that wrap the candies and then they are boxed and shipped all over the world. We even got to sample the best chocolate in the whole world.

We also got to see a movie which was in 3-D. But before we went to see the movie, we went into a room right outside of the theatre and learned about Milton Hershey who started the HERSHEY’®S Chocolate Company. A man showed us pictures of Milton’s first factory and his town that he built for his factory workers. There was also a picture of Milton’s first little stand where he started to sell the bars before he built his factory.

We were directed into the theatre, which looked like any ordinary theatre. Then the theater cames alive with a musical adventure with HERSHEY’®S Product Characters virtually jumping off the screen and coming to life. During the finale there were singing candy bars and ribbons and balloons shooting at us! It was really cool. Just like a Hollywood Musical…and all in 3D!

We also stopped in a store where you can buy candy. The World’s Largest HERSHEY® bar and HERSHEY® Kiss were on display in the store…that’s a lot of chocolate!

I liked the movie because it was really funny and imaginative. It taught me a lot about the HERSHEY® Company without even realizing it. The ride was fun too. It helps me appreciate what goes into making a simple (delicious)chocolate bar. I recommend that you make sure and add a trip to HERSHEY’®S Chocolate World, the sweetest place on Earth, when you visit Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

The Strasburg Rail Road Ride

story and photos by

Megan Bomba

All aboard the Strasburg Rail Road!
When we first got to the railroad, we met Eric Little, who is one of the “shop workers” or a mechanic for the Strasburg Rail Road. He gave us a V.I.P. tour of the shop he works at. His job is to fix up the train cars and to, as he said, “…make sure that you’re on your train, but mostly a shop boy. I also do a little Public Relations.”

photo courtesy of the Strasburg Rail Road

He also told us, “The railroad dates back to 1832. Everybody thinks of Strasburg as a train town. The truth is it started by trading. During the height of the tourist season, an average of fifteen thousand people ride the Strasburg Rail Road and yearly, four hundred thousand ride and take part in the extra activities that are happening all the time. Our first class car is named “Marion” in memory of the President’s (of the railroad) mother who passed away. Each passenger coach is also named.

Our Tour Guide - Eric Little

I thought this was really cool; one of the cars is named “Hello Dolly” which was the train car that was used in the filming of the Hollywood movie, "Hello, Dolly".

When we were riding in the train, a person came over the loudspeaker to tell us about the history of the railroad. At one point in the ride, they told us to listen and we might be able to hear the ghost train after our train toots, but it’s in a hilly area, so it’s really just echoes.

photo courtesy of the Strasburg Rail Road

It was a lot of fun getting the V.I.P. tour and hanging out with Eric; he was really enthusiastic and nice. I had a lot of fun on the Strasburg Rail Road.

Throwing the First Pitch

at a Lancaster Barnstormer’s Game

story and photos by

Megan Bomba

Swing, batter, swing! I went to the Lancaster Barnstormer’s game when they were playing the New Ark Bears. There I got to throw the first pitch!!!

When I first found out that I was the one throwing it, I was so excited! I started practicing like crazy and asking my friends who play baseball to help me. I was REALLY excited! I mean who wouldn’t want to throw the first pitch!

Then when it got time to head down to the field, I got really nervous! All I had to do was throw it to the catcher and that helped me calm down.

Megan - KidReporter - Throwing the First Pitch

During the game, three other KidReporters and I got to sit in the pressbox for the rest of the game and it was such a great view!

The Press Box

While we were there, I talked to Pam Denlinger who took me down on the field. Pam works as the Marketing and Public Relations assistant. “I work with Adam” she told me. “I’ve been working since December 10th which was my first day. I work Mon.-Fri. 9am to 5pm plus the game time. Saturday and Sunday, we work a full day. My favorite part of the stadium is probably the bumper boats where you get totally soaked. I think number forty-one Matt LeCroy is my favorite player. He’s a designated hitter. Here there is never a normal day; I’m usually on the field helping with first pitches, and the National Anthem. I’m also the team’s unofficial photographer. Before the game I hang with the players when they are on the field.” I asked Pam who the cutest player was and her friend, Kristi Lovelace who works in Corporate Sales said, “That would probably be Matt LeCroy.”

Batting Practice - Where's Matt LeCroy?

That’s everything about me throwing the first pitch!

How I Made a Difference...

Let’s face it, there are only a few people in the world like Alex from Alex’s Lemonade Stand, but we all try to make a difference, and this is how I did.

It was a sunny winter day. It was snowing - sunny and snowing, one of my favorite combinations - that day was my absolute favorite day of all. That was the day that I rescued Elvis from the park near my house.

I was coming home from school when I saw this cute little stray dog that looked like it was starving. I got a closer look and saw a tag that said its name was Elvis. From what I could tell, it was a Jack Russell Terrier. I told my Mom and she said I ought to call the ASPCA so that he could be reunited with his owner. I said that it wasn’t a bad idea. So I did.

When I called, they told me to feed him, but carefully. I should put a bowl of dog food near where I found him, plus a water dish. I did that once and the same day both bowls were completely empty. The next day, the ASPCA came and took him to one of their veterinary clinics where he was checked to see if he had any identification on him.

They came to our house the next day, and said that I could keep Elvis if I wanted to because I found him. He didn’t have any identification at all, and no one had reported him missing. I wanted to, but my Mom said that we would have to think about it, because our family already had a dog. We didn't know if they would get along. We started thinking about it. Mom said that she was proud of me for taking care of a stray dog and she knew that Elvis meant a lot to me. So she said we could give it a try.

The next morning, my Mom and I went down to the ASPCA and picked up Elvis. I was so exited that I almost walked past the cage that the clinic had put him in overnight. He had one final checkup before we could finally take him home. I was so happy in the car that I kept baby talking him and saying, “Now you’re a part of our family!” in a baby voice. I could kind of tell he was getting sick of it.

As soon as we got home, my other dog Chipper was outside and smelled Elvis like crazy! Mom said that that’s how they get to know each other. I can only kind of tell that that is true. By the time the whole family was getting ready for bed, the two dogs had not fought at all. They were bonding! That satisfied me! Elvis was now a full- fledged member of our family!

So as you can see, I made a difference in Elvis’s life. If I hadn’t called the ASPCA, Elvis might have died of starvation. He now has a home all because me. Because of Elvis, I also volunteer at the ASPCA and sometimes play with the dogs. As you can see, one little thing can lead to another and another resulting in a big difference.

That’s how I made a difference.

What Animal Am I Most Like?

Hi, this is Megan!

The animal I’m most like is probably a zebra.

A way I am like a zebra is that I love babysitting. Plus there is a strong bond between the mother zebra and the baby. There are these two kids that I baby-sit a lot and they’re the cutest! Their names are Kerri and Melanie. As you can see, I am enthusiastic about babysitting.

Another reason I am like zebras is that I usually stick out but I can also blend in. A zebra will stick out when they are alone. Also they will look normal when they are in a group. Why I stand out is that I am smart, unique, and a good friend. You don’t find those characteristics in just anyone. See, I am like a zebra!

Also I’m social and zebras live in groups, so you kind of have to be social or at least friendly. My friends and family are very important to me and I try to hang out with them as much as possible. Plus I can talk for hours. Also zebras are considered social animals. I’m very sociable.

Healthy eating and exercise is the zebra’s way of life. A zebra’s diet consists of grasses and milk. Whenever I can, I eat vegetables and drink milk, but I occasionally eat a French fry or a piece of candy. Zebras get their exercise naturally, but I prefer to dance, swim, cheerlead, tumble, play field hockey, and I sometimes run.

So as you can see, the zebra and I are alike in many ways.

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