Welcome Back Village Hosts

“Welcome to Kitchen Kettle Village!”

If you arrive at Kitchen Kettle by bus, “Welcome” may be the first word you hear from our Village Host. Our bus greeters began on April 1st and will be greeting buses until the end of October, with many dates in November. We are so glad to have them back as they do a wonderful job of welcoming guests as well as offering tons of information to anyone who has a question.

Two of our previous hosts have gone on to new adventures. After 10 years at the Village, Anita Ewing is planning on traveling more with her husband and hanging out with her grandchildren as much as possible. We wish her well! Another past host, Don Ware, has moved to a different area of the Village and is working at the Cafe. Be sure to say hi if you see him.

This year we have five Village Hosts. You may recognize 4 of the 5 as Janette Emerson is our newest team member. If you see them around the Village make sure you say hello and tell them where you’re from. We love knowing how far our guests have traveled to visit us!

About the hosts…

As the Team Lead for the Village Hosts, Carol Thompson is starting her 7th year as host. She is “locally made”, having been born and raised right here in the County. She taught 35 years at Pequea Valley School District (34 years teaching 1st grade and 1 year at 2nd grade) and retired 7 years ago. Carol is married and has a son and a daughter along with 1 cherished grandson. Her favorite thing about working here: “I love all the friendly people!” Carol also volunteers at our hospitality table during festivals.

We welcome to our 2018 team, Janette Emerson, who will be Village Host on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and various Saturdays! She’s been raising a daughter and son for last 16 years and has been visiting Kitchen Kettle Village for 20 years. Born in Ridgewood, NJ and moved to Lancaster County 5 years ago. “I am so happy working here. It’s such a blast talking to people from all over the world.”

Mary Hausmann has returned and is excited for her 2nd year with the Village Host team. She is originally from Erie, PA and her husband had always wanted to live here. They moved to Lancaster in August 2016 and her husband, Jeff, now works in our Maintenance Dept. They have 3 sons who live all over the USA and can’t wait to visit Lancaster County. Mary says, “I’m in heaven since I love to quilt so here I’m in my element.” Welcome back Mary!

Beth Keretzman has also returned to our Village Host team for her 2nd season. She was born & raised in Lancaster County and taught in the public school system at the elementary & middle school levels for 32 ^1/2 years. She enjoys reading, walking, music, traveling and spending time with family & friends. She enjoyed time at Kitchen Kettle Village as a chaperone with students getting a “behind the scenes” tour, as a step-on guide for tour buses and as a personal shopper. She loves the beauty and culture of the area and looks forward to helping make guests experience enjoyable and fun.

Marylu Eisner took a bus trip to Lancaster County in 2012 and decided, “We need to move here.” She is a Pennsylvanian, born and raised in Lake Ariel, PA in the Pocono Mountains. She grew up on farms and was a member of 4H where she specialized in cooking & sewing. She was a critical care nurse in Scranton and later at the Reading Hospital from where she took that life changing bus trip. Her son lives in Philadelphia and her daughter is in Manhattan, but she loves the farmland, the animals and the peacefulness of Lancaster. We are so glad you are here Marylu!

If you are traveling to the Village, be sure to stop by the Village Host stand for any questions about the Kitchen Kettle or the surrounding area… or even just to say hi!