Ask Joan: The newest questions edition

Sometimes, I try to answer some of the oldest Ask Joan questions, because I want to make sure they eventually get a response despite sometimes taking a while! Today, though, is different; these are four of the newest questions or follow-ups I’ve received, including one that’s particularly timely because it involves a milestone birthday this month.
What’s inside
1. Seeking stories about Dick’s Dam
2. L&H 5 and 10 memories sought
3. What came before The Cove?
4. Just for fun: Schnitz and knepp follow-up

1.
I grew up listening to stories of my mother spending time at Dick’s Dam on the Conewago Creek near New Oxford in Adams County.
The time frame would have been through the early 1920s to the early 1930s. While we have numerous family photos of Dick’s Dam outings from this time period we know very little about the area.
It appears it offered picnicking, wading, swimming, and canoeing with overnight lodging in rustic bungalows.
The two photos show a canoe landing and the dam. The dam photo is marked “Dick’s Dam 1928.” The dam is still there. The area is now heavily posted with No Trespassing signs.
Any information on the Dick’s Dam area during this time period would be appreciated.
– Dean Messerly
Dean did send two photos as described, which you can see with today’s column. I am familiar with this area as I used to have friends who lived off Dick’s Dam Road, but of course the dam area itself was not a public one during any time that I remember. I do know the Boy Scouts’ “Camp Conewago,” built in 1919 and still open today, is just about a mile upstream from the dam, and certainly would have been active during the ’20s and ’30s, but I’m guessing there was a more downstream area that Dean is referring to.
Any information would be wonderful!
2.
From 1929 to 1998, L&H 5 and 10 operated three stores, one in York at the corner of West Market and South Belvedere, one on East Main Street in Dallastown, and one in Spring Grove. Philip Lookingbill, who owned the stores, is turning 100 this month. Perhaps your readers would like to share their memories of these stores and/or Phil. For those of us of a certain age, the 5 and 10 was our Walmart or Amazon.
– Bernadette Tuscano
I just received Bernadette’s question earlier in November and would LOVE to get a bunch of L&H memories for Mr. Lookingbill’s birthday, so please do share!
3.
What was the history of the now The Cove restaurant?
– Raymond
The Cove, on South George Street not too far past York Hospital, used to be Emerson’s Pub, which started over in Columbia before coming to York. Del Bruce and Shawn Warner were the Emerson’s owners in York.
Before that, I can’t track down. I do have some readers who’ve talked about a restaurant called Piccolo’s or Piccalo’s in that general area, which might be a lead, though I am definitely not sure, so any ideas would be great!

4.
We just finished our first full week in our new home on Beaver Street, having transplanted from Bakersfield, CA. Your recent recipe and article [about schnitz and knepp] inspired me and I found the ingredients at our wonderful next door neighbor, the Central Market!
– Karen Solomon
I was so excited to welcome Karen to York and see her great schnitz and knepp, which she shared a photo of with me. I just wanted to give her a big shoutout in today’s column, because while I’m very used to hearing from longtime Yorkers, I actually enjoy talking with people newer to the area just as much. And if there are any questions I can answer – for you, Karen, or anyone else who’s wondering about something in York, past or present – please write! That’s why it’s called “Ask Joan,” after all!
Have questions or memories to share? Email me at joan@joanconcilio.com or write to Ask Joan, York Daily Record/Sunday News, 1891 Loucks Road, York PA 17408. We cannot accept any phone calls with questions or information.