Among the many things that make Lancaster County special are its various signs. Photographs of 240 of them are featured in a new book by Tana Reiff titled “Signs of Lancaster County: A Photographic Tour of Amish Country.” The 112-page full-color book was recently published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., of Atglen, Pa.
"The array of signs in one geographic area tells a story of the local culture," writes the photographer in the book's introduction. "This book zooms in on the signs of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a land of long history, deep religious tradition, and a remarkably unchanged rural sensibility."
Reiff will be on hand to sign her book at Finial & Fern, located at 15 W. Main St., Leola, Pa., on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to noon.
"This book captures the unique quality of Lancaster County that most of us take for granted," said Bonnie Strasko, owner of Finial & Fern. "Hand-lettered signs for everything from homemade root beer to horse-washing will make you smile because you know exactly where they are,” said Strasko.
Reiff began photographing signs that caught her eye in 2006. In 2012, while preparing photos for a montage poster, she realized she was cropping out pretty scenes surrounding the signs. So as she took more pictures for the book, she included more background to show the signs in their natural context.
About a third of the pictures in the book were taken in or near Leola, along Route 23 and Horseshoe, Willow, Newport, and Creek Hill roads. A whole chapter is devoted to Eby Road. Other numerous signs in the book are located from Middle Creek to Christiana, with the majority in the Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, Paradise, Ronks, and Gordonville areas.
"I found great beauty in the scenes I photographed and continue to photograph," said Reiff. "I now have my regular stops to buy produce, cheese, and canned goods at places in the book."
Besides appealing to both locals and tourists, Strasko thinks the book would be "a great gift for friends and family in distant places and a light-hearted reminder to all of us who share this wondrous place we call home."
Finial & Fern is an ever-changing shop specializing in antiques, specialty plants, and quality home and garden décor. The shop proudly showcases the works of talented local artisans and offers many unusual gift items.
To learn more about the book, email Tana Reiff at tana@tanareiff.com.