I am so excited to be writing about one of downtown Gettysburg’s newest shops – A&A Village Treasures. This store is a real gem! Located on 53 Chambersburg St., A&A offers fine candles, unique housewares, spa quality bath and body products, artisan food items, and an array of gift ideas for all occasions.

A&A Village Treasures located on 53 Chambersburg St.

Just from the look of their window displays I knew I was going to love this shop. After walking in, my eye was immediately drawn to their extensive selection of candles.

Reserve Goddess is a beautiful, feminine, light fragrance that I couldn't get enough of! Their wide selection of candles boasts extremely unique fragrances to suit all preferences.

In addition to candles, A&A offers other forms of home fragrance like their Effusion Lamps. I had never heard of an Effusion Lamp before and was blown away. Effusion lamps combine a 100 year old concept of air purification with the pleasures of exotic fragrances. The air purification technology destroys all odors and airborne bacteria and dispenses a wonderful aroma into the home. The effusion lamp uses a special stone that stays hot and converts fragrance oil into negatively charged ions. A&A offers many fragrance oils to choose from.

Effusion Lamps at A&A Village Treasures

Effusion Lamps at A&A Village Treasures

These gorgeous lamps are also for sale online!

Your home won’t be the only thing smelling incredible after a visit! Don’t leave without checking out their extensive, spa-quality bath and body products. Good news for the guys – a large selection of wonderful men’s products are available. (This will also make gift-giving easy for you, ladies!)

Owners Anthony and Armando are so helpful and friendly. They will be more than happy to assist you in finding a special gift for any occasion or simply a gift for yourself! They are adding new items to the store all the time so come back often. For more information on the store and their products visit the website here.

This Thursday – Sunday, May 17-20th, marks a long-standing tradition in Gettysburg – The 64th Semi-Annual Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival!

Each year in May and August, Granite Hill Camping Resort has been home to the internationally-acclaimed Festival.
Festival goers will enjoy: Fours Days of Music on Two Stages, Informative Workshops, All-Star Jam, Food, Merchandise, Arts & Crafts Vendors, and Pete Wernick’s Jam Camp.

Here is the May Schedule & Lineup:

Download the entire performance schedule and workshop schedule here.

Visit gettysburgbluegrass.com for tickets and more information.
Check out this YouTube video from last year’s May Festival:

This past Friday in Gettysburg was a perfect evening for a Flower Walk to celebrate Mom! Here are some photos of the fun. Be sure to mark your calendars for June’s First Friday on June 1st!

York Street on First Friday in front of Gallery 30

The timeless beauty of flowers: Opening show of paintings by Lester Jay Stone, Eloise Bralove, Hal Page and others at Grace Kelly Salon

The Gettysburg Hotel on Lincoln Square

There was Yoga and Zumba on the Square in front of the Gettysburg Hotel brought to you by the YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams County

Complimentary Carnations for Mom were being handed out at GARMA's First Friday table!

Lincoln Square Downtown Gettysburg

Chambersburg St. on First Friday Gettysburg Style

I was so excited to visit this new store in downtown Gettysburg, A&A Village Treasures! Look for a blog post spotlighting this store soon.

Visit the Gettysburg Hotel on Facebook for even more photos.

April showers bring May flowers! This Friday, May 4th, marks First Friday in Gettysburg. To celebrate the month of May, downtown Gettysburg merchants are holding their second annual Flower Walk! The Flower Boutique, located on North Washington St., will be donating the flowers for the walk. This is a great opportunity to treat Mom or pick up a gift from one of the fabulous Gettysburg retailers! They will be more than happy to help you choose the perfect gift.

Just a reminder: Get your First Friday coupon signed and dropped off for a chance to win this month’s Grand Prize: A one month Rec Pass to the YWCA with joiner fee. Download the coupon here.

Here are just a few of the special deals and places to put on your list this First Friday:

Pick up a gift for Mom at Scott & Co. Fine Jewelers:
Located at 17 Lincoln Square, Scott & Co. will be offering 20% OFF any jewelry item that has to do with “flowers” or “Spring.” (excluding Pandora.)

Scott & Co. downtown Gettysburg location (photo courtesy of their Facebook page. Click to visit them on Facebook.)

Join the “Spartina 449 Party” at True Friends Boutique:
Visit True Friends Boutique, located at 22 Baltimore St., for their first annual Spartina 449 Party! They will be holding drawings for several Spartina items including a grand prize of a very unique 2012 Special Edition handbag! All remaining older Spartina patterns will be priced at 50% off. True Friends will be serving wine and cookies and offering free carnations to all Moms!

Spartina 449 at True Friends Boutique. Click to visit them on Facebook.

Take advantage of luxurious deals at Gettysburg Day Spa:
Located at 221 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg Day Spa is offering some great deals this First Friday.
- Purchase a 15 minute chair massage for $15 and receive a $10 gift card towards a 45 minute massage.
- Purchase a 30 minute Age Fighting Deep Cleansing Facial for $30 and receive a $15 gift card towards a Signature Facial.
- 15% off an At Home Massage Cream
- 15% off an At Home Skin Care Kit
Visit Gettysburg Day Spa on Facebook here.

These spa specials are also available at the Gettysburg Day Spa in honor of Mother's Day!

Take a Tour of the Jennie Wade House:
The Jennie Wade House (548 Baltimore St.) will be sampling local apple butter with baked white bread. They will also be offering a 10% discount in their gift shop on flower themed items. Be sure to take a tour of the house (tours run until 6:15.)

Relax and unwind at McClellan’s Tavern at The Gettysburg Hotel:
McClellan’s Tavern, located at The Gettysburg Hotel (1 Lincoln Square), will be offering a 1/2 priced appetizer of Fresh Tomato Caprese Salad and a Sunflower Highball as a Happy Hour Drink Special.

Download the First Friday flyer here listing all the merchants and their specials. It is even categorized by street for easy shopping! See you in downtown Gettysburg on May 4th!

I just love the first day of market in downtown Gettysburg. Lincoln Square comes alive with activity in support of local business owners, crafters, bakers, farmers, and artisans. It is truly a must-have experience while in Gettysburg. To me, the first day of the Gettysburg Farmers Market is a true celebration of the beginning of warm weather and the Adams County growing season.

Visit Lincoln Square on Saturdays starting April 28th from 7 am – noon. Experience wonderful, local products and be sure to speak with the vendors that truly make the Gettysburg community a fantastic place to visit and live. There is just something special about Market Saturdays on the Square.

A view of Lincoln Square taken from the roof of the Gettysburg Hotel!

Read more about the downtown Gettysburg Farmers Market and their 2012 vendors by visiting their website here.

“Like” them on Facebook for updates about what’s currently in season at the Market.

Berries from Hollabaugh Bros. at the Gettysburg Farmers Market

In addition to their gorgeous wares, the Spirited Ladies Shoppe located in downtown Gettysburg offers an array of fun classes and workshops held in their Garden Room.

Two classes are currently scheduled for May. Reservations are required so be sure to give them a call at 717.688.0588 to secure your spot. These activities are also right in time for Mother’s Day! Plan a trip to Gettysburg with Mom and spend quality time during these fun workshops.

Thursday, May 10th. 6:30 pm.
Memory Mirror Class presented by Katie and Ana Strickland
Build your own wall mirror decoration that includes a finial keepsake window, decoupage framed mirror, and key holder base. Perfect for foyers and welcoming entries.
Cost: $25 Plus kit fee: $35

Sunday, May 20th. 1:30 pm.
Flip-Flop Album presented by Stephanie Cebula
Save your summer memories in this cute album made from real flip-flops!
Cost: TBD

Flip Flop Album with Stephanie (Photo courtesy Spirited Ladies Facebook page)

Here is their flyer for more information. Also, visit them online here.

Treat Mom to a delicious feast this Mother’s Day! Bring her and the family to The Historic Gettysburg Hotel for the Annual Mother’s Day Buffet held in the Grand Ballroom.  Here is the menu:

Reservations are required.  Buffet hours are from 11am – 3pm. Reservation times are available every 1/2 hour. Call (717) 338-5455. We hope to see you there!

This morning, Executive Chef Shelley Funt from Centuries on the Square and McClellan’s Tavern at the Gettysburg Hotel did a live taste testing with Great Country 107.7′s Kim & Scott in the morning to celebrate the kick-off of Gettysburg Restaurant Week! If you missed the live broadcast, don’t worry! Watch all the fun here as the crew tastes Chef Shelley’s ribeye steak and rosemary potatoes.

Video streaming by Ustream

We are excited to present our lunch and dinner menus for McClellan’s Tavern & Centuries on the Square at The Gettysburg Hotel (One Lincoln Square)! These special prix fixe menus will be available during Gettysburg Restaurant Week (April 13th-21st).

McClellan’s Tavern Special Lunch Menu:

First Course (choose 1):
Soup Du Jour
House salad with your choice of dressing

 Second Course (choose 1):
Tuna Melt with Country Fries
Three Cheese Ciabatta with Country Fries

 $10

 First Course (choose 1):
Mesclun House Salad
Petite Cranberry Apple Salad

Second Course (choose 1):
Chicken, Bacon Avocado on Focaccia with Chips
Pulled Pork BBQ on Kaiser with Country Fries

 $15

McClellan’s Tavern Special Dinner Menu:

 First Course (choose 1):
Caprese Salad
Soup Du Jour

Second Course (choose 1):
Herb Tilapia with Grilled Lemon
Brandied Chicken with Local Apples

 Third Course (choose 1):
Lemon Berry Shortcake
Chocolate Torte with Raspberries

$20

First Course (choose 1):
Spinach Dip with Tortilla Chips
Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese

Second Course (choose 1):
One Crab Cake with Remoulade and Vegetable Medley
Bone in Rib Eye Steak with Rosemary Butter and Potatoes

Third Course (choose 1):
Chocolate Molten Cake
Strawberries Romanoff

$30

Centuries On The Square Special Dinner Menu:

 First Course (choose 1):
Caprese Salad
Soup Du Jour

Second Course (choose 1):
Herb Tilapia with Grilled Lemon
Brandied Chicken with Local Apples

Third Course (choose 1):
Lemon Berry Shortcake
Chocolate Torte with Raspberries

$20

First Course (choose 1):
Spinach Dip with Tortilla Chips
Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese

Second Course (choose 1):
One Crab Cake with Remoulade and Vegetable Medley
Bone in Rib Eye Steak with Rosemary Butter and Potatoes

Third Course (choose 1):
Chocolate Molten Cake
Strawberries Romanoff

$30