Amish Tour - Donecker's closing

[Bill Creadon]

Hey,
Just want to let you all know that some of the Donecker's stores have closed and that the Inn is still operating as of this posting. I'm sure many of us have fond memories of this great place and the wonderful hospitality that they always provided. It was Alan's first US tour location.
Bill Creadon

[Pat Knauss]

Hi Bill !
The Amish tour was our first tour and we left for it on 9-9-99. Doen't seem like it can have been that long ago! One of my favorite menories is sitting on a wall on day 1 looking out over the valley and being amazed that we had made it so far since we had never skated hills before. You came along and gave us a nice ride past some bad pavement so we could finish the day. Thanks for the great memory.
Mike Knauss

[Bill Creadon]

Mike,
I remember it like yesterday. It is hard to believe that it will be 10 years ago soon. It is great to hear from you and know I'll never forget that day either. The Amish Tour was always a fun packed, get to meet people tour, and enjoy the PA countryside. I have transition back to sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and still enjoying life. Great to hear from you.
Best regards,
Bill

[Pat Knauss]

We took sailing classes last September because so many paved trails seemed to be around lakes and sailing looked like a lot of fun. The only problem is that the best lake(Stockton) is about 4 1/2 hrs away from where we live and we do not own a boat. The marina rents a catalina 22ft which we have been having great fun with but we are still looking for a "close personal friend" with a boat who will let us use it! We might have to actually move closer to water in the future.
Mike K.

[Allan Wright]

We have not run the Amish skating tour for years but perhaps it is time to soon bring it back. Your post brings back many great memories, Bill!

[Terry Lynch]

The Amish tour was my first as a Zephyr guide. I guided with Bill Creadon and Jeff Whitmire. The Amish tour is great skating, beautiful scenery, and wonderful accommodations.
I will always remember the tours I guided and our guide training in Pennsylvania. I'm grateful to Bill and Jeff for initiating me into the "Zephyr Way" of professional guiding.
Terry Lynch

[Elizabeth Shier]

This was my first trip with Zephyr back in 1999. I chose this tour because both my Grandmother and Aunt and Uncle lived in Ephrata, and I'd been to Donecker's several times with my mother. I remember skating through town past my Grandmother's home, and going to visit her during my free time on this tour. My Aunt had strong ties to the Amish community, and we always enjoyed visiting. I remember going back for my Grandmother's 90th birthday party a few years later, and driving up and down some of the same roads we skated, that was cool! My grandmother has since passed away and my Aunt and Uncle have moved to El Dorado, Arkansas to be nearer to my mother and dad (her sister). I have fond memories of Donecker's and the sweet Inn and the times I have visited there.

[Bill Hicks]

This was my only tour that I have been able to make and wish that it were offered again. I would go back in a heartbeat! The wife and I go up to Lancaster area every year to the Bird-in-Hand Farmers market and buy our sausage, ham, and bacon for the year (yep, have a large freezer!!). I really enjoy pointing out to the wife the roads we skated on. I especially enjoyed assisting Bill and Mike teaching braking skills the first day. We also had an Amish teenager with us (I can't remember his name) and had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours at his home and speaking with his family. For me that was one of the highlights of the trip.

Bill Hicks
Inline Instructor