Mitch Dissinger Talks About New Holland

Lifelong New Holland resident Mitch Dissinger, who owns Lickity Split with his wife, Gina, sat down a while ago to talk about things to do in his hometown. Recalling a restaurant customer who came from another Lancaster County town, he said, "(They told us), 'We come here because New Holland is (so) active. You have (so much) going on all the time.'"

As one of the founders of the New Holland Area Historical Society, Mitch has a particular interest in the past. In addition to the historical society museum, located above the restaurant at 207 E. Main St., he points out the New Holland Band Museum on the second floor of the ELANCO Library and the Swiss Pioneer Preservation Society on Spruce Road. The Kauffman Building, where Lickity Split and the museum are located, is a historical building, which was originally a tavern and later a general store.

Mitch is an avid biker. He rode across the continental United States in 1983, and he has taken part in the Pedal to Preserve rides to support the Lancaster Farmland Trust that once originated at Garden Spot Village. "New Holland is a great place to bike ride," said Mitch. "You can do 20 miles around here and see lots of countryside."

The greater New Holland area also offers wilderness activities, such as hiking at the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve in East Earl, which is part of the Lancaster Conservancy and Money Rocks County Park in Narvon. Mitch pointed out that the Groff Miller Park off Railroad Avenue is landscaped with trees and bushes that are native to Pennsylvania and that Nolt's Pond offers fishing and a place to see ducks. The New Holland Community Memorial Park on Jackson Street and the Welsh Mountain Community Park both offer play areas for children in addition to other amenities.

"In the summer, we have the New Holland Summer Arts Program and all the concerts (it organizes) three times a week," said Mitch of the series that has been a fixture in New Holland for decades.

For year-round music and entertainment, Mitch pointed to Cavod Community Theatre, located in the New Holland Shopping Center. Mitch called the venue, which has offered several plays and musicals per year for a decade a "treasure" in New Holland.

Mitch said he is proud to live in a community that offers much in the way of activity and industry. "People come here to work," he said, "We have world-class businesses," he added, referencing Tyson, Case New Holland (CNH), and the Savencia Cheese USA factory, which has roots in France. He noted that the CNH factory tour is interesting. "It's a pretty cool (tour) to do," he said. Unfortunately, the tour is not available presently due to COVID.

More information on the town may be found at https://newhollandborough.org.