April Showers bring May Flowers. That’s the old saying and it certainly rings true in Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Garden Club has already beautified the circle and planters in each corner of the square with colorful tulips, and soon will be making Gettysburg even more beautiful with the hanging baskets throughout town.

Stores will be open in full bloom on May 6th for First Friday, Gettysburg Style. Have some Friday fun and stroll, shop, and support our local small businesses. Please know and understand, that not every GARMA business participates in First Friday. Participation is something that we let up to the individual businesses. We understand and know the hardships that our businesses are feeling with staffing, so it’s not always possible for everyone to stay open later. But remember, First Friday is all day. You can stroll and shop at any time of day.

Remember when you’re in town for First Friday that we have some wonderfully unique businesses located on Steinwehr Ave. Sometimes our businesses out there get lost in the flurry of downtown First Friday activities. There are so many great shops and eateries to stroll and shop in. GARMA members actually start just before Steinwehr with Reid’s Winery, Gettysburg Olive Oil Co., Body and Soul Silversmith, and the Children of Gettysburg 1863 museum on the tail end of Baltimore St. When you round the bend you are greeted by Rosie’s Collection, Regimental Quartermaster, Hunt’s Battlefield Fries, Dobbin House, Tommy’s Pizza, Gettysburg Eddies, Appalachian Brewing Company, and the Gettysburg Heritage Center. M’Lady’s Parlor is located in the Old Gettysburg Village, and right out in front of them is the Civil War Tails museum (in the old Homestead Orphanage). With all of these places you could spend your entire First Friday on one street!

More fun continues in May with our 55th Gettysburg Outdoor Antique and Arts Show held on May 21st from 7am-4pm. Since I took over organizing the show in June 2020, we’ve been very lucky with the most beautiful weather the day of the show (remember, the show is always the third Saturday in May and the fourth Saturday in September). I think I need to find the biggest tree I can and “knock on wood” for great weather again on the 21st.

While you’re out and about enjoying the town during the antique show, don’t forget about the Adams County Farmers Market that is held every Saturday in the old transit center parking lot off of Stratton St. Show your support of local farmers who will be selling fresh, seasonal produce and other goods. The market also has a variety of food and craft vendors. You may not know it, but some of our local restaurants buy their produce from some of the local farms that you will see at the market.

Please also welcome our new GARMA members Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center (thank you to all businesses in town who displayed their blue lights for the month of April in support of Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month), Kip & Idle Home: Re-Loved Furniture + Décor (22 Carlisle St.), and The Beveled Edge Marble & Granite (1540 Chambersburg Rd.).

For a complete list of GARMA members, and information on becoming a member, visit www.gettysburgretailmerchants.com.
 
Jennie Dillon is the President of GARMA 

This year is GARMA’s 50th anniversary. I’m only a year younger than GARMA (yes, I own my age and am not afraid to admit it). I think back about all the shops and restaurants that have come and gone and there are a lot of good memories I have of this town. So here’s my 50 years of memories, minus a year.

My first job was with the Gettysburg Travel Council when it was in the Lincoln Train Station at the railroad tracks on Carlisle St. I walked to work after school and would regularly stop at Hartzell’s Luncheonette to buy sticks of Jolly Rancher candy. It was the only place in town you could find them. Another favorite stop would be for a quick slice of pizza at Mamma Ventura when they were on the square.

My mom and I would stop at Ernie’s Texas Lunch for “2 with” to take home. We’d usually call the order in ahead of time because my mom knew their phone number by heart (the last four digits are the year she graduated high school). Our other spot to hit was Tommy’s Pizza, but back when it was at the railroad tracks on N. Washington St. I loved waiting for our food to come out because I could play the jukebox for a quarter.

Growing up my dad would always take me and my step-sisters to the movies at the Majestic Theater. Back then it was still only one large theater and we’d usually see something my dad wanted to see (more so then what we girls were interested in). We’d go to People’s Drug Store when it was on the square, in the David Wills House, and buy all kinds of candy and sodas so we didn’t pay the movie theater prices. Sorry Majestic for doing that.

 At night one of the few places that would still be open past 9pm was Codori’s House of Gifts. As long as there were people walking the streets, Mr. Codori would keep the door open. Sometimes it would be 11pm and you could count on him being there. I always admired that about him.

If you haven’t been able to tell by most of my articles, I truly do love my town and can be very nostalgic. There’s so much history here aside from the battle. So many businesses that have come and gone, and some that have managed to stay and stand the tests of time. One business I’d like to celebrate that has stood the tests of time is Martin’s Family Shoes. I’ve been shopping at Martin’s since I was in high school. Over the years Martin’s has always been steadfast in carrying great brands and providing great customer service. Thank you Martin’s Family Shoes for being a 50 year GARMA member.

Please bear with me as I continue to reminisce about my olden days growing up in Gettysburg. And, help me celebrate the GARMA businesses that are mentioned in these articles. We’re really proud of our members and encourage you to support them and Gettysburg.

​For a complete listing of members visit www.gettysburgretailmerchants.com.
Jennie Dillon is the President of GARMA and owner of Artworks on York St.

Call to Order:  President Jennie Dillon called the meeting to order at 8:36 AM at Dunlap’s Restaurant. In attendance: Michelle Lenzi, Ruth Dunlap, Marci Bievenour, Gary DeCroes, Marci Cropp, Kathy Gilbert, Debbie Joyner, Dave Kelly, Marcia Wilson. 
 
Minutes, Correspondence & Treasurer’s Report:  The minutes of the February 10, 2022, meeting and the treasurer’s report were approved and correspondence was reported. 
 
Old Business: General Membership Meeting – Jennie announced that the membership meeting had been scheduled for March 23rd, at the Gettysburg Heritage Center from 8:15 AM to 9:30 AM, with a free tour of the museum offered to attendees. Board members were encouraged to attend.
 
Committees:
Advertising and Marketing –Jennie announced that the postcard for the Antique Show had been created and would be printed, to be distributed at member businesses, other antique outlets and to our vendors. It was suggested that they might be given out with the First Friday business cards.

Events: Antique Show - Jennie reported that contracts had been mailed, with 90 responses to date and 13 pending, and that space was extended to the second blocks of York and Baltimore Streets because of new vendors.

She noted that inquiries are on the rise and that extra helpers would be needed for May 21st because of the increased number of vendors.

Christmas – Jennie reported that Ross Brownley would transition the wreath duties to Gettysburg Rental Center.
 
First Friday: Gary reported that team meetings were being held at least once and sometimes twice a month, working forward for themes at least two months out. He noted that in March, the members did what they wanted. Disappointingly, too many closed at 5 or 6 PM, and there were few visitors and walkers. 
    
Gary confirmed that the April 1 First Friday topic would be “Puzzles & Puns” and that cards and flyers would be distributed, and he expressed hope that spring weather would increase activity.
 
Membership: Dave reported the following members had not renewed: Adams County Transit, Fresh Boutique, J&P Winery, Town & Campus Salon, True Friends Boutique and Union Cigar. Gettysburg Pride and Beveled Edge were announced as prospective members.
 
Community Organization News:
Destination Gettysburg – Jennie, Kathy and Debbie planned to attend the membership dinner on March 29th representing GARMA, Gettysburg Day Spa, and the Gettysburg Foundation.
 
Borough – The Human Relations Commission planned to offer a presentation to businesses regarding the Borough’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance. GARMA would disseminate information to members when a public meeting was scheduled. A GARMA article would appear in the Spring/Summer Borough Newsletter. 
 
Arts in Adams – A new committee, headed by Roger Lund, was forming to involve artists, schools, and the community to partner with the Adams County Arts Council for events and activities.
 
Announcements:
Gettysburg Eddie’s – It was announced that the business had been sold.
 
Next Board Meeting – Thursday, April 14, 2022, 8:30 AM, Dunlap’s Restaurant & Bakery, 90 Buford Avenue.
 
Adjournment: 10:42 AM, Marcia Wilson, Acting Secretary