Warwick townlively.com
MAY 3, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIV • NO 9
Oh, the stories The Checkerboard House could tell BY JEFF FALK
t’s a grand old structure with a fascinating history and engaging back story. Situated on Route 322 about a half mile east of Brickerville, The Checkerboard House is probably one of the most unusual buildings in Lancaster County. Constructed in 1754, the aesthetically appealing, Georgian-style house has outlasted 11 owners, although each has left behind specific elements that have helped shape the current building. On land leased from William and Thomas Penn, Valentine Stoner built what would later become known as The Checkerboard House over a period of eight years in the 1750s. Over the next 270 years, The Checkerboard House served as a great many things to a great many people, including a residence and a tavern. At one point, the building was one of the few inns on Route 322, then a popular throughway between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
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First dubbed the Spotted House because of its unique masonry pattern of alternating dark and light stones on the exterior, the 3,800-square-foot structure forever became The Checkerboard House in the 1800s. But as curious as The Checkerboard House appears from the outside, its interior is even more beautiful. In 1997, The Checkerboard House was purchased by the Miller family and opened for public viewing and as a venue for selling gifts, crafts and flowers. The current owner, who chose not to be identified for this article, purchased the property in 2014. Although he has not opened the house to the public, the current owner has painstakingly appointed each of the three-story Checkerboard House’s 12 rooms with antique furnishings and accessories in an attempt to keep it true to its place in local history. “Its history is important to me,” said the current owner. “I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of finding furniture and antiques (for) each room.”
The Checkerboard House is named for its unique masonry pattern.
To build hope BY ANN MEAD ASH
On April 4, the sun shone brightly over the tent set up at the site along Hatville Road in Intercourse where the new Clinic for Special Children (CSC) will be built. Herman Bontrager, board chair of CSC and chair of the Keeping the Promise: Building Hope Capital Campaign, welcomed the gathering, noting, “We have a perfect day.” The groundbreaking and tree planting that occurred on the site not only celebrated the new building, but also commemorated the
founding of CSC by Dr. Holmes Morton and his wife, Caroline, 34 years ago. “They had the vision and courage to establish a clinic to serve children with genetically transmitted diseases here in Lancaster County,” said Bontrager, who noted that the new building will help more families, allow for the innovation of new therapies, and be a place of comfort and hope for generations to come. He stated that more than 1,700 donors have contributed to the $8.8 million raised toward the $12.5 million goal of the campaign.
Brian Roche is a battle-tested warrior in fight against fraud BY JEFF FALK
Scam artists want to take what you’ve got. Brian Roche wants you to keep what you rightfully earned. Roche is a full-time consumer investigator for local television station WGAL-8. Personable, knowledgeable and genuine, Roche has made a career out of helping viewers and listeners avoid the seemingly unrelenting onslaught of hoaxes and scams. “What I want (the consumer) to learn is how to spot the scams,” said Roche. “Money is the root of it. What
I’ve learned over my career is that two things motivate people: power and money. In this case, it’s money.” On April 24, the Manheim Township resident brought his message of awareness to Lititz. Roche addressed an audience of older local residents at the Lititz Senior Center, 201 E. Market St., Lititz, about how to identify and combat the current wave of fraud being perpetrated through phone calls, text messages and emails. The hourlong address included a question-and-answer period, as well as slideshow presentation.
See Clinic pg 2
See Brian Roche pg 4
Brian Roche addresses a gathering at Lititz Senior Center.
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New Clinic for Special Children breaks ground
See Checkerboard House pg 3