In writing “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds”, we felt a deep sense of urgency, knowing that the firsthand witnesses to this history were nearing the end of their lives. Just weeks after our book was released, Robert “Bobbie” Vernon Stonesifer, Sr., age 96—born in 1927 to Guy and Mabel Stonesifer…
One unexpected discovery during our research for “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds” was that two York residents, LeGrand Dutcher and C.L. McKenzie, made a serious effort to establish an amusement park at Silver Lake in Lewisberry. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, amusement parks enjoyed a golden age,…
We have noticed a growing interest in out blog posts about the Stonesifer family, including Guy, Bobbie, Ruth and Kris. In this entry we explore the Stonesifer family tree in more detail, providing our readers with more insights. The surname Stonesifer is familiar to many in the Lewisberry and northern York County area. In researching…
The movie The Music Man (Warner Bros., 1962) is a classic musical that tells the story of Harold Hill, a traveling music professor played by Robert Preston. “Professor” Hill arrives in a small town in 1912 and convinces the residents that he can teach their children to play in a marching band. However, his intentions are far…
Kathy and I, in our book “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds,” trace the evolution of Silver Lake from a functional mill pond to a seasonal summer colony, and eventually to a small, permanent year-round community. This endeavor required a multifaceted approach. We relied on recollections from long-time residents, modern technology,…
Today, we remember Guy Vernon Stonesifer, born on July 29, 1903, the son of William Grant Stonesifer and a pivotal figure in our book, “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds.” His untimely death at age 27 marked the end of the vision for Silver Lake as a seasonal resort. The connection…
Scott and Kathy Webb, co-authors of “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds,” have recently gifted copies of their book to the many contributors who played a crucial role in its creation. One of the first and most impactful contributors was Ruth Stonesifer, a woman whose remarkable life and work deserve recognition…
He was born on the Fourth of July – and we’re not talking about Yankee Doodle Dandy here but Robert Miller Jr., born in a Catholic-run hospital in post-World War II Germany. Bill Miller, owner of the beloved Linger Longer cottage, saw his son, Robert Miller, join the U.S. Army and fight in World War…
In our book “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds”, we wrote with a sense of urgency, driven by the advancing age of first hand witnesses. We embarked on a quest to recover historical evidence and weave together a compelling tale of the lake’s evolution before the passing of our treasured observers….
In the aftermath of World War II, amidst the echoes of victory and the remnants of conflict, the Torchia family embarked on a journey that would leave an indelible mark on the Silver Lake community. At the heart of this tale lies the visionary spirit of Henry Andrew Torchia, Esq., whose fervent desire to nourish…