The snows were heavy this past winter, and we had to shovel snow of the tabernacle roof before it got too heavy. But spring is here and soon we will be starting our summer programs at the Mt. Gretna Tabernacle.

The tabernacle comes alive again this summer (as it has for the past over-a-hundred years) with a wide variety of programs designed to delight, entertain, inspire, and perhaps challenge a large number of people with varied tastes and ideas. Our purpose as always is “to provide Christian spiritual renewal in this unique Victorian setting.

A lot of familiar names and groups will be returning this summer. Andy Roberts and his Jazz Quartet; The New Holland Band, directed by Dr. Kenneth Laudermilch; Dave Stahl and his Sacred Orchestra; our annual Handbell Festival, started more than a dozen years ago by the late Douglas Smith; Bob Troxell and his Dixieland Connection; our Massed Choir of 200 voices, which has been a part of the summer program for over 50 years; and The Susquehanna Chorale, directed by Linda Tedford, one of the premier choral groups in our region.

Preaching services this summer include Dr. Ed Zeiders, former head of United Teological Seminary and now Senior Pastor at St. Paul's UM, State College, and The Rev. Louis Butcher, Pastor at Bright Side Baptist Church, Lancaster.

Again this summer we are cooperating with Pennsylvania Chautauqua with two special programs especially for children. The Good Ship Grace Puppeteers from Lebanon perform in early June, and Steven Courtney, the popular children’s entertainer from Manheim, in August.

As always, we are excited about being able to present for the frst time some new groups. The Singing Boys of Pennsylvania, directed by Dr. F. Bernard Schade; Silver, Wood, & Ivory, a unique piano-fute duo from Lititz with a popular following in our region; and QuintEssentially Brass, a new brass group from Lancaster.

The climax of our summer season this year takes place on August 29, when Elisabeth von Trapp, from the family whose story inspired the “Sound of Music,” returns for a concert in her inimitable style. She has said that the tabernacle is one of her favorite places to sing. This is the only program of the summer where a specifc donation ($20) is requested. Tickets will be available at all the summer programs at the tabernacle or online at don@MtGretnaTabernacle.org.

Finally, two of our summer groups are returning for a second time: The Lancaster British Brass Band, and The Bethany Gospel Boys.

What a summer! We hope you will come to the tabernacle as often as you are able. And bring your friends; introduce them to the uniqueness that is Mt. Gretna. We will be looking for you! This summer the Bible Festival is cooperating with two local businesses: Losers Music Store of Lebanon is helping to make the Massed Choir program possible and to bring Joe Martin here as guest conductor, and WDAC Radio is helping to provide some radio advertising. Check out our calendar page for the specifics of these programs. We hope to see you often this summer at the Mt. Gretna Tabernacle.

Elisabeth von Trapp returns August 29

This summer she will return ... Sunday, August 29, 2010, 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at each of the programs in the tabernacle throughout the summer. The suggested donation is $20. Get your tickets early and tell your friends about the concert! Get them in person at Mt. Gretna, online at don@MtGretnaTabernacle.org or by calling (717) 653-8588.