Ask Joan: Mailed notes and photos edition
In today’s Ask Joan, I want to share some notes mailed to me over the past many months. In addition to some follow-ups on previous questions, I have some photos I’m particularly excited to share.
What’s inside
1. Remembering Washington House oyster pie
2. Who is woman in picture?
3. Another lemon sponge pie recipe
4. Photos from the Poist Studio
5. Another note about Peace Child
1. My name is Patricia L. Gotwalt and I am married to James Gotwalt Sr. We’ve eaten at Washington House restaurant on Thursdays in the past. They served baked oyster pie and cole slaw that we ate and enjoyed. The restaurant was located on Route 462 in Wrightsville. Maybe others have had the pleasure of eating there. We certainly spent many supper times there ourselves!
– Patricia L. Gotwalt
While I’m no fan of oysters, I know a lot of people who would really have enjoyed such a meal! Do you remember the Washington House? I’d love to share memories of it.
2. I enjoy your column in the paper. I am trying to figure out who the woman in the picture (above) is. The man is my late father, Philip A.L. Glatfelter, deceased since 2008. I am going through photos and am trying to figure out some of the people. It says on the back she was 100 years old and her late husband started the paper (York Gazette). I think she lived in the Hanover area. I remember my father saying he visited her and enjoyed her telling him stories. Would appreciate any info you can come up with. Thanks in advance.
– Judy Weaver, Manchester Township
Judy, based on your description I’m pretty sure that’s the wife of Josiah William “J.W.” Gitt, former publisher of The Gazette and Daily, one of our predecessors. You can read more him about on Jim McClure’s York Town Square blog here.
Interestingly, it wasn’t the easiest to find Mrs. Gitt’s name, but in some information from the Penn State University Library, I find that he married an Elizabeth Glatfelter Moul in 1913, so my educated guess is that Elizabeth is your mystery woman!
If anyone has any photos of the Gitts and can confirm this, I’d be glad to know for sure.
3. Ah, the lemon sponge pie question! You might remember that my friend and former nurse, Dawn, wanted the recipe for the lemon sponge pie that Jay’s restaurant used to serve, and I received, well, a lot of pie ideas.
Today, I have another recipe to share for this pie, from Pat Goodling of Dover, who describes this version as very good.
1 cup sugar
1/2 stick butter, melted
3 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups milk
Juice of 2 large lemons
3 Tablespoons flour
Add yolks to recipe then beat whites and add last. Bake for 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes or until done. Makes one 9″ pie.
Has anyone tried any of the previously published lemon sponge pie recipes? I’m curious what you think! (Also hungry. Possibly very hungry.)
4. At various points in the past, I’ve written extensively on and shared many memories of former photo studios in York. (You can check those out here.)
Some time ago, I received a letter and two photos from Lois Wherley. Lois wrote, “You mentioned Poist Studio. It was located in the first block of West Market Street on the second floor. I am not sure of the exact address. Joseph Poist was my uncle. He lived in Hanover, where there is still a Poist Studio on Middle Street. His grandchildren still run it. For years it was run by his daughter, Frances Poist, and son, Bud Poist. I am enclosing a picture of my uncle Joe Poist who ran the studio. Also enclosed is a picture of me and my three sisters that was taken in 1933.”
I’m thrilled to be able to share those photos, Lois, thank you so much! And I welcome your continued thoughts on former photo studios, as well.
5. Following up on a long-ago question about Peace Child York, I heard from Bob Anderson of York, who wrote, “I remember that Peace Child met at Trinity United Church of Christ (Market Street, York) until some conflict difficulty arose, and they had to find a new meeting place. They came to Zion United Church of Christ, Lafayette Street, York, and met there for many years. The church even cancelled their Vacation Bible school and made Peace Child their summer experience for all ages. My recollection is that the number of youth attending dwindled and their group stopped meeting.”
We’d last talked about Peace Child back in 2013, but I still wanted to share Bob’s thoughts on their meeting locations for the record!
Got any questions? Ask Joan using the form at right. I’ll attempt to answer them in a future “Ask Joan” column on this blog. I get a large volume, but I will feature three each week and answer as many as possible!
