Amy Thomas
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Writer, creative director, food and travel journalism, fashion and luxury advertising. Author of Paris, My Sweet (2012) and Brooklyn in Love (2018).
Articles by Amy Thomas
Public Health at an Inflection Point: Aligning State Systems to Strengthen Population Health
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Policy Points: The pressing need for alignment across the US health system has the potential to amplify the reach and impact of the public health system by stretching available dollars and facilitating broader access to services. States should explicitly position themselves as system integrators of shared infrastructure, aligning public health with other systems through shared governance, service delivery, financing, and technology solutions.
Op-Ed: Don’t Let Fear Flatten Progress on E-Bikes
This past January, New Jersey legislators swung a regulatory sledgehammer that threatens the future of sustainable transportation across the country, with State Bill S4834 classifying all e-bikes as motorcycles, a drastic move that would require licenses, registration, and insurance.
Make This Year’s Spring Break a Great Escape
Travel|Make This Year’s Spring Break a Great Escape https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/travel/spring-break-trip-san-antonio-bahamas-costa-rica.html You have been granted access, use your keyboard to continue reading. Need an idea for a family vacation? Here are five destinations that fit the bill, whether you’re looking for culture, adventure or a great beach.
Que tal unir viagem e leitura? Confira ideias de viagens literárias para todo tipo de amante de livros
Graças às redes sociais e aos clubes de livros, férias inspiradas em livros e autores estão em alta: de retiros literários a festivais e turnês, veja aqui algumas maneiras de se conectar com a paixão pela palavra escrita. Publicado 16 de fev. de 2026, 08:30 BRT Um dos aspectos mais prazerosos de viajar é ter tempo para ler um bom livro, então não é surpresa que atualmente programar férias inteiramente dedicadas aos livros e autores estejam em alta.
Sound Baths, Crystals and Couples' Facials: Behold a Valentine's Wellness Weekend
Love it or not, Valentine's Day is approaching. It also falls on a holiday weekend this year, presenting an opportunity to indulge in a three-day getaway. kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ E96 v=@32= (6==?6DD x?DE:EFE6[ 2 ?@?AC@7:E @C82?:K2E:@? 7@C E96 :?5FDECJ[ H6==?6DD E@FC:D> 92D 8C@H? :?E@ 2 Sghc 3:==:@?
For a Long Valentine’s Weekend, 6 Wellness Getaways
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT You have been granted access, use your keyboard to continue reading. Love it or not, Valentine’s Day is approaching. It also falls on a holiday weekend this year, presenting an opportunity to indulge in a three-day getaway. According to the Global Wellness Institute, a nonprofit organization for the industry, wellness tourism has grown into a $894 billion industry. This year, hotels and resorts are creating experiences and packages to seduce couples with serenity and connection.
Literary travel ideas for every kind of book lover
Sunday mornings are for ‘sex therapy’ at this very smutty book club Sunday morning might be early for sex talk. However, the Self-Help Smut Club, gathered at the Black Cat Fables bookstore in Monrovia, doesn’t think so. Before noon, the group has already deliberated on all types of bedroom activities that might make one blush. “A man with a mattress on the ground …
Literary travel ideas for every kind of book lover Original
One of the most enjoyable aspects of travel is the time to read a good book, so it's not that surprising that vacations built entirely around books and authors are on the rise. Thanks to forces such as BookTok, celebrity book clubs, and niche tour operators, literary travel has become a dominant trend.
6 Winter Destinations for a Spirited, but Dry, January
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6 Winter Destinations for a Spirited, but Dry, January
A relatively new decision has become part of the travel calculus: to drink or not to drink. kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ 2 C646?E v2==FA A@==[ dcT @7 p>6C:42?D D2J E96J 4@?DF>6 2=4@9@=[ 5@H? 7C@> ecT `_ J62CD 28@] %92E :D E96 =@H6DE =6G6= D:?46 v2==FA 3682? EC24<:?8 2=4@9@= 4@?DF>AE:@? :? `hbh]k^Am kAm%96 564:D:@? E@ 23DE2:? :D 2? 6G6? >@C6 AC@?@F?465 @?6 2E E96 DE2CE @7 E96 J62C[ E92?<D E@ sCJ y2?F2CJ[ 2 >@G6>6?E :? H9:49 A2CE:4:A2?ED 8:G6 FA 5C:?<:?8 7@C E96 >@?E9] %96 A@AF=2C D@3C:6EJ 492==6?86 DE2CE65 >@C6 E92?
6 Winter Destinations for a Spirited, but Dry, January
A relatively new decision has become part of the travel calculus: to drink or not to drink. According to a recent Gallup poll, 54 percent of Americans say they consume alcohol, down from 64 percent 10 years ago. That is the lowest level since Gallup began tracking alcohol consumption in 1939. The decision to abstain is an even more pronounced one at the start of the year, thanks to Dry January, a movement in which participants give up drinking for the month.
Adams County Residents Step Out for Health at Community Walking Event
Adams County residents laced up their shoes Wednesday afternoon for a community walk aimed at promoting health and wellness. The event, hosted by the Adams County Physical Fitness Task Force, began at 1:00 p.m. at the Charlie Sterner Building on Long Lane in Gettysburg. Janelle Gilbert, Fitness Director of the YMCA, kicked things off with a talk on balance and posture, highlighting the benefits of practicing these skills in water.
Littlestown hosts second Annual Family Fun Fair and Backpack Giveaway
Families filled Crouse Park in Littlestown this morning for the second annual Family Fun Fair, held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The free event began with registration, where children received backpacks stocked with school supplies, snacks, and gently used books. Organizers reported that Convey of Hope donated 28,000 pounds of food for the event. Each child was given a grocery bag and allowed to choose snacks and drinks.
Is That Hotel Too Young for You?
The moment I realized it’s possible to age out of a hotel scene came at 2:03 a.m. on a Friday night. My husband and I had splurged on a stay at a posh hotel in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. A few hours after going to bed, I was jolted awake by a pounding bass vibrating up from the establishment’s chic second-floor lounge. Though we’d enjoyed a quiet cocktail there earlier in the evening, it was a public nightclub now.
How Far Would You Go (and How Much Would You Pay) to Get Away From It All?
Terminal cancer patient defies odds by living off grid on boat By Filipa Gaspar A man given two years to live with terminal cancer says he has outlived the diagnosis by selling his house and living on a narrow …
Looking to Get Away From It All? Here’s 6 Off-the-Grid Getaways.
Travel|How Far Would You Go (and How Much Would You Pay) to Get Away From It All? https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/21/travel/off-the-grid-resorts.html You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. From the new to the classic, from the affordable to the exorbitant, here are six getaways where you can find some peace and quiet.
Why 'quiet luxury' hotels are the new travel obsession
3 hours ago Operation Sindoor used women’s bodies and symbols to cloak an old patriarchal script. When two female officers of the Indian armed forces – one Hindu, one Muslim – took centre stage to announce Operation Sindoor, the government celebrated it as a landmark moment for gender inclusion. The image of …
Why 'quiet luxury' hotels are the new travel obsession Original
In recent years, quiet luxury—a trend of pared-back elegance driven by cultural phenomenon and social media influencers—took over fashion. The same ethos has been guiding travelers to certain hotels. “Quiet luxury is about spaces that feel effortlessly refined, where everything has been carefully considered but nothing screams for attention,” says Pamela Schein Murphy, founder of Wandrist Travel.
12th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser Draws a “Soup-er” Crowd
Volunteers at the 12th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser served up delicious soups and a strong sense of community on Friday. The event, held in the Gettysburg College Union Building Ballroom, welcomed attendees between 4 and 7 p.m. Hosted by The Gleaning Project—a nonprofit initiative of South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP)—the fundraiser supports efforts to reduce food waste and combat food insecurity in Adams and Franklin counties.
Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Holds 99th Annual Convention
Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Holds 99th Annual Convention Nearly 100 women, including 11 from St. Francis Xavier Church (SFX) in Gettysburg, gathered Saturday at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg for the 99th Annual Convention of the Harrisburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (CCW). The event also marked the celebration of 100 years of the Council’s faith and service.
High Mycobacterium bovis Exposure but Low IGRA Positivity in UK Farm Workers
Zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB) is a form of tuberculosis (TB) disease in humans caused primarily by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, the main cause of TB in cattle. Controlling zTB is essential for global TB elimination and is included in The Global Plan to End TB 2023–2030. There are limited data from settings where TB incidence is low in people but high in cattle. We found limited evidence of zTB in people despite high and prolonged occupational exposure to TB-infected cattle.
Tumor-specific CD8+ T cells from the bone marrow resist exhaustion and exhibit increased persistence in tumor-bearing hosts as compared with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes
Methods All animal studies were approved by and conducted in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Johns Hopkins University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, protocol number M018M398. Wild-type C57Bl/6 (JAX #000664), CD45.1+ C57Bl/6 (B6.SJL-Ptprca Pepcb/BoyJ, JAX #002014), transgenic OT-I (C57BL/6-Tg(TcraTcrb) 1100Mjb/J, JAX #003831), and B6 Thy1.1 (B6.PL-Thy1a/CyJ, JAX #000406) mice were obtained from Jackson Labs.
Community Spirit Shines in "Give the Shirt off Your Back" clothing giveaway
April Jones, known for her boundless ambition and community-minded efforts, is once again spearheading her popular fall clothing giveaway,”Give the Shirt off Your Back.” Building on the success of last year’s events, Jones has organized the giveaway to take place on Nov. 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Nov. 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants can expect more than just free clothing.
This Charming Coastal Connecticut Town Just Keeps Getting Buzzier
When it comes to a weekend getaway, you can’t go wrong with a coastal town—especially one with as much beauty, history, and authenticity as Mystic, Connecticut. Located in the southeastern corner of the state, along a stretch that’s generally overlooked while driving along the soul-sucking I-95 from New York City to Boston or The Cape, Mystic has largely flown under the radar. But that’s been changing, thanks to the local food scene that just keeps getting better.
Shining a Light on Father Tyler Mentzer for National Vocations Awareness Week
Editor’s note: National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated November 3-9, 2024, is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. Father Tyler Mentzer, affectionally known as Father Tyler, grew up in Biglerville, PA. He attended church at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Orrtanna and was ordained as a Catholic priest on Oct. 2, 2021, at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass.
Slideshow: 2024 National Apple Harvest Festival
Nestled in Pennsylvania’s apple country, the annual National Apple Harvest Festival celebrated fall this weekend with handmade crafts, delicious food, and lively entertainment. Visitors enjoyed steam engine displays, live music, antique cars, orchard tours, pony rides, tastings, and artisan demonstrations, ensuring something for everyone. Most of the festival’s proceeds go back to the community and local, state, and national charities.
Photo Gallery: Salsa on the Square, 2024
Gettysburg Connection shares thousands of photos of Adams County and Gettysburg taken by our creative staff members. Please click here to start enjoying them. Also, please check out our photography contest. Sponsored The event were moved indoors due to the rain, but the festivities went on as planned. Jim Bargas and Amy Thomas shared some photos. Photos by Jim Bargas: Sponsored Photos by Amy Thomas Jim Bargas is a freelance photographer. Amy is a freelance writer and reporter.
Slideshow: Biglerville Hose & Truck Company #1 Fall Festival
The Biglerville Fire Company hosted itsannual fair last week. Hot meals were served nightly in the dining hall. Platters include: hot roast beef, hot chicken sandwiches, BBQ sandwiches and fries. Potato soup and cream of crab soup were also on the menu. Also available were games, rides, cash Bingo, small games of chance, raffle prizes, crafts, vendors and more. The Dean Crawford and Dunn’s River Band musical groups performed. This year’s fest included newly-added games and additional food options.
"Sister T" strives to feed your heart and soul
Sister B. Thelma Steiger, HSF, Ph.D., delivered a mini-retreat at Saint Ignatius Church in Orrtanna this morning. This was the first of three sessions in the series, held in the lower part of Loyola Center from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The hall is wheelchair accessible, and the talks are free and open to the public. Refreshments are served.
Ghanaian Culture celebrated at UASD
For the past 25 years, the Upper Adams School District has been bringing the world to its students through its Artist-in-Residence programs. This year, the spotlight was on the vibrant culture of Ghana, as students at Upper Adams Intermediate School immersed themselves in traditional art, fabric, and dance.
Today is the inaugural 988 Day for suicide awareness
Today is the first observance of 9-8-8 day. It is a national initiative to increase awareness and promote using 988 for suicide prevention or as a crisis lifeline. It’s fitting the day falls in September because this month is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. 988 launched two years ago. Calling or texting 9-8-8 will provide a line to trained, non-judgmental counselors. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in both English and Spanish.
Gettysburg Staple, Hunt’s Battlefield Fries and Cafe, Seeks New Ownership
After more than two decades of serving made-to-order meals in the heart of Gettysburg, Scott Hunt, the owner of Hunt’s Battlefield Fries and Cafe, is looking to pass the torch as he plans to retire at the season’s end. Located at 61 Steinwehr Ave., the beloved local eatery has been a fixture in the community for 23 years, known for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a menu that boasts Boardwalk-style fries, hearty cheese steaks, and succulent hamburgers.
Biglerville Hose & Truck Co. #1 Community Day a Success Despite Dreary Weather
The Biglerville Fire Department hosted its annual Community Day today. The event educated residents about fire prevention and safety. Both children and adults had the opportunity to to use a fire hose and meet local First Responders. Car seat saftey checks, face painting, and emergency themed ornament painting were also offered. Visitors could touch and tour a fire truck, ambulance, and police car. Officer Hartley answered many questions posed by curious onlookers.
Buchanan Valley Picnic celebrates its 138th Year
Roughly 840 home cooked family-style meals were served yesterday at the picturesque picnic grove adjacent to St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Orrtanna. Patrons look forward to the annual picnic which is always held on the forth Saturday in August from noon until dusk. They come from near and far to attend. There were visitors from Fayetteville, New Cumberland, Lancaster, and even out of state.
If you can do it, you can do it at night
Hiking and kayaking in the daytime? Fun and invigorating. But under a full moon, those activities can be transcendent. Gazing at blue skies is pleasant – but rather ordinary. Looking up at the night sky, on the other hand, feels as though deep mysteries may be revealed. Astrotourism, travel devoted to stargazing and other celestial activities, is booming, spurred on, in part, by DarkSky International, which seeks to protect the night skies from light pollution.
La Michoacan Paleteria Brings a Taste of Mexico to Gettysburg
Residents of Gettysburg and surrounding areas have a new destination to satisfy their sweet cravings, as La Michoacan Paleteria opens its doors in the West St. Plaza on the corner of West St. and Springs Ave. This Mexican ice cream and popsicle parlor, inspired by traditional flavors and techniques from Michoacán, Mexico, offers a uniqe experience that sets it apart from typical ice cream shops.
Record Turnout at 34th Annual Peach Festival in Biglerville
This weekend, Biglerville was abuzz with excitement as Hollabaugh’s Brothers Inc. 34th Annual Peach Festival drew an unprecedented number of visitors. The event saw crowds flock to enjoy the sunny weather and festive activities. “The weather cleared up beautifully and people really took the opportunity to come out and enjoy the day,” said Kay Hollabaugh, who was thrilled with the turnout.
If You Can Do It, You Can Do It at Night Original
Hiking and kayaking in the daytime? Fun and invigorating. But under a full moon, those activities can be transcendent. Gazing at blue skies is pleasant - but rather ordinary. Looking up at the night sky, on the other hand, feels as though deep mysteries may be revealed. Astrotourism, travel devoted to stargazing and other celestial activities, is booming, spurred on, in part, by DarkSky International, which aims to protect the night skies from light pollution.
2024 Bendersville Fire Company Carnival a success despite weather
The Bendersville Community Fire Company held its annual carnival on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This year marked 105 years for the carnival. Volunteer Kathy Yingling helped with the outside sandwich stand. “Attendance was definitely down because of the heat on Thursday and Friday,” she said. “Also, it was down because of storms on Saturday.” Half Pint Creamery donated thousands of dollars worth of ice cream and cones for the Fire Company to sell.
Touch a tractor day
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Mr. G’s offers Top-Notch Ice Cream along with outdoor games and a great vibe
There is perhaps no more recognizable shop in Gettysburg than Mr. G’s Old Fashioned Home Made & Soft Serve. Located at the corner of Baltimore and Lefever Streets, across from Unity Park, the shop is continually surrounded by families visiting Gettysburg, playing the almost-impossible ring game, and relaxing, while they cool off with a cone or sundae. “People come to Mr. G’s happy … and they leave even happier,” said co-owner Marc McLean.
High Mycobacterium bovis exposure but low IGRA positivity in UK farm workers
The authors have declared no competing interest. https://zootb.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/study-protocol/ The study and AT were funded by a Wellcome Trust Seed Award 217509/Z/19/Z. The NIHR HPRU in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol supported PPIE.
Commemorating Mission of Mercy: 30 Years of Healing Through Love
When first meeting Dr. Michael Sullivan, Chief Medical Director and founder of the Maryland-Pennsylvania Mission of Mercy, one is immediately struck by his warm smile and gentle, generous demeanor. Sullivan’s essence exudes kindness and understanding. For three decades he has dedicated himself to caring for others. Sullivan was treating patients at the mission’s mobile health unit, parked at the Gettysburg Four Square Church on W. Middle St., on Wednesday.
Photo Gallery Flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day in Biglerville
American Legion Post 262 held its annual Flag Day flag retirement ceremony yesterday. Flags, patriotic pinwheels, and bookmarks were handed out to the attendees. State Representative Torren Ecker attended the ceremony with his family. Legion Post Commander Rick Pelc spoke about the Flag Day holiday. The Apple Core Band played the Star Spangled Banner and other music. Flags which were deemed unserviceable had a final inspection and then a proper, dignified, disposal.
Why the Croissant Will Always Be in Style
Mashed with a muffin. Bedazzled with rainbow sprinkles. Shrunk to $50 boxes of petite céréale. And now, flattened and adorned with all manner of outrageous toppings. Who knew the croissant was such a reinventionist? For centuries, the viennoiserie has been an elegant display of French craft and simplicity. But just in time for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, which kick off on July 26, the croissant seems to be donning its party clothes and going on a bender.
June Marks Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: Helpful Resources and Tips
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Emmitsburg’s Seton Shrine part of Historic National Eucharistic Pilgrimage
Devout Christians from local Catholic Churches gathered at The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg this week to celebrate the arrival of the first-ever National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Over 1,000 people filled the basilica this morning to participate in the standing-room only mass.The Most Reverend Archbishop William E. Lori was the celebrant.
Science camp at Nawakwa
Parents and caregivers dropped off their 5th grade students on Nawakwa Road at their assigned cabins in Biglerville on May 13, 2024. The rainy morning did not delay the agenda. Campers resided the remainder of the school week at Nawakwa to take part in the Science curriculum. This annual spring field trip takes place for 3 days and 2 nights. Teachers provide activity-oriented science learning, teach respect for all living things, and build an understanding of ecosystems.
Photo Gallery: Bigerville High School Cannerval-Conectados
The annual Biglerville High School Cannerval event returned with a twist on Friday night. The Cannerval-Conectados(connected) event was hosted by the high school Latinx Club with a mission of bringing folks together. It was evening filled with tacos, empanadas, crepes, milkshakes, horchata, popcorn, and hot dogs, as well as games and activities for all ages. The event was a fundraiser to support high school clubs and organizations. Amy is a freelance writer and reporter.
Looking for ‘a different kind of wow’: next-level hotel experiences
Heli-hiking on a remote slice of Vancouver Island in Canada. Concocting your own perfume in southern France. Planning a shoot with a New York fashion photographer. Now that amenities like infinity pools and posh spas (rebranded as wellness centers) are practically de rigueur at upscale lodgings, many properties are trying to distinguish themselves with activities that are ever more bespoke and brag-worthy.
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