Sometimes, the best place in York County is right at home.

The other night, Chris had to work. It was, of course, cold and miserable, so Sarah and I camped out at home. And by camped out, I really mean camped out - we built a blanket fort in the living room!

See what we're eating? Those are open-faced S'mores courtesy of my awesome mom. We settled in, ate our goodies, and watched a very strange movie from my husband's collection - The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. It was weird, but cool!

Anyway, that's how this York Countian spends a winter day - with the family! Sarah said it would've been cool if Daddy had been there too, but all I could think was, yikes, we'll need a bigger blanket!

So the winner for the best F of York County is...

Fastnachts! This was suggested by, well, just about everyone who reads regularly. (Not surprisingly.) Jo, though, I singled out in an earlier post, because she normally gets her fastnachts from her family in Juniata County.

She has an interesting thought about this local tradition, though, that made me glad it was selected as the "F" winner, despite me secretly rooting for Fitzkee's Candies, which my family used to sell at our candy stand in the market. Even Hubby didn't stand up for it, but he had a good reason: "I really wanted to go with Fitzkee's, because fastnachts are not unique to York County. But the bottom line is that fastnachts are a bigger part of our culture/history/identity, so they win my vote."

Anyway, back to Jo, who wrote: "After I wrote on the blog I got to thinking that the donut making all these years is akin to the apple butter making. These traditions have a way of continuing on and on until enough participants die off that there's no longer a sufficient number of hands to carry on. The cousins, myself included, are now the "older generation" of the family as all of our parents are deceased, which means none of us have any living aunts or uncles. Our children (the younger generation) are too into themselves and their own interests to understand the significance of a fastnacht and could care less about carrying on traditions. If you notice in photos of donut makers around York, most have white hair!"

Well, then, I'm glad we're supporting the tradition on the blog! My friend Tracey, another of my somewhat younger generation, is also a supporter; she writes: "Holes in fastnachts? Blasphemy! Mom would always go get the plain and the sugared (not powdered) and we'd eat some plain, and I'd rip a hole in one with my finger and use a small spoon to shove some Smucker's black raspberry jam into them. YUM!"

I never tried that, but I will for sure this year!

Now it's time to start voting for your favorite G and to post comments with suggestions for the best H for next week's poll, if you haven't already. We need some suggestions; we were a little "THIN" on Gs!

Another reader photo of an "Only in York County" sight:

What: These photos are taken from the bridge that carries Bull Road over Beaver Creek in Conewago Township, as seen Feb. 3 during our "not as big" snow!
By: Jo Ott of Fairview Township
Something unusual: Jo says this would be the perfect place for a park, and I agree - it's one of my favorite spots in York County. I chose this shot today because I thought we'd all like to see a LIGHT snow, instead of, um, a big snow!

Share your own photos of scenes around York County here.

This is a "special" insert into the ongoing series on the Names of York, because this name is not on a place, but rather an award.

What it is: The Catherine Meyer Award, given annually by Red Lion to someone in the borough who works hard for the betterment of the community there.
Who was it named after? Catharine Meyer, a Red Lion businesswoman who became one of the most respected business minds and developers in the area. Her business ventures included development of a general store and rail station, and she played a role in the incorporation of Red Lion in 1880. For her leadership, she gained the title of the "Mother of Red Lion."

Fun fact: Oh, this IS fun. No, I don't have typos through the beginning of this post. Catharine's name has caused much consternation here at the York Daily Record. Her own business/calling card, which is pictured here, courtesy of the Heritage Trust, spells it Catharine (though check out how they spell Red Lion!), and her tombstone also says Catharine. The award itself, however, as well as many of the main histories written about Red Lion borough, spell it Catherine. We're going with the second "a" in official writings here, as that's a more German spelling and more likely for the time and place.
Sources: Research by Jim McClure, June Lloyd and Lori Badders

Do you have a suggestion of a place or thing in York County named for a person? If so, post a comment! I'm going to work my way through some likely ones, such as schools and parks, but I need other suggestions too!

UPDATE: Because of weather conditions, the meat bingo originally scheduled for tonight will be next Friday, Feb. 12. I have changed the post below to reflect this, but if you saw it earlier, you're not crazy - it did say today! Here is a listing of some other cancelled or rescheduled events.

Next Friday is another installment of the annual meat bingo event sponsored by Eureka Fire and Ambulance Club and Stewartstown Lions Club.

This year's event will be Feb. 12 at Eureka Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company, 82 N. Main St., Stewartstown. Doors open at 5:30; games begin at 7 p.m.

There will be 24 games, with four special games. Refreshments, door prizes and raffles will be available, all for $15 per person. All proceeds benefit community projects.

Tickets are available from any Lions Club member, at the Saubels in Stewartstown, or by calling 993-3122 or 993-8677.

Head down and fill the freezer! Let me know if you win anything!

Faithful reader Jo brings up one of my favorite Yorkisms - tinfoil!

She wrote recently: "Here's a 'York-ism' to consider that I heard from a native Yorker today. 'Tin foil.' As in aluminum foil. I must admit I have not heard that expression in a very long time."

I love the word tinfoil. That's what I call it. I can't say al-um-in-um. I say "al-um-nim-um" or something dumb like that. So tinfoil works better.

But do you remember what I don't like? People who SAVE their used tinfoil. Bah, humbug to that!

Got a fun new food/beverage item from the Adams County Winery. John Kramb from the winery sent in a news release about their new "SCRAPPLE" wine.

Before you go, "Eww!!," just read on.

It stands for Sweet Cranberry APPLE wine.

How cool is that? It sells for about $13 a bottle, and you can find out how to get some here.

This is one "scrapple" I might go for!