Hardwood, Cork, Laminate, Luxury Vinyl Tile, Lenoleum
Vinyl, Carpet, Area Rugs, Runners, Ceramic Tile
Window Blinds
Doylestown Health has been delivering award-winning care with compassion and expertise for over a century. At Doylestown Health, we understand that nothing is more important than your health. That’s why we put the needs of our patients and community first. We provide life-changing care with compassion and expertise. Our patient-first philosophy and team approach result in better outcomes for you. Delivering the highest quality care in the region is our mission, as it has been for over one hundred years.
To find a physician or schedule an appointment: visit DoylestownHealth.org.
Doylestown is an energetic town— people always seem to be moving. Small shops, cafes, restaurants and offices have a steady flow of people going in and out. But when spring arrives, turning into summer, the outside gait is changed. The swiftness gives in to a saunter. The outdoor pace slows down, so that we can look at the flowers and the trees, stroll through parks and breathe in the scents of this marvelous vivification happening all around us. As a tribute to this colorful awakening, Bobby Waite’s photos of artists painting outdoors, bright street views, and all the colors of Doylestown are featured in our Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Doylestown Town & Country in his photo essay, “Vividly Colorful Doylestown.”
A highly skilled designer Lisa Griffiths of Bella Casa Interior Designs took writer Beth Buxbaum on a tour of a Doylestown farmhouse where Lisa in collaboration with Baur Construction updated the living space and improved the interior flow. Beth Buxbaum details this beautiful transformation in “Designing Interior Flow.”
In our Spring/Summer issue we interview a Doylestown artist, a couple of Doylestown promoters, and we feature two area restaurants, write profiles on a conservationist, an orthodontist, a chef, a cuisine instructor and the founder of Solful Living. We take you around town and show you the places to go and things to do in Doylestown this spring and summer.
So, now that winter is over and spring and summer is on the horizon, it is time to walk slowly though town, taking in all the beauty, scents and sounds with a slower gait. We hope that Doylestown Town & Country will be with you as a friend who walks beside you, pointing out what an amazing town Doylestown is this time of year.
Publisher
William N. Waite
President
Vicky M. Waite
Executive Editor
Bob Waite
Art Director
BCM MEDIA, INC.
Photography
Bobby Waite
Account Executives
Lisa Bridge, Bobby Waite
Adminstration/Circulation
Melissa Kutalek
Doylestown Town & Country Living Guide is published annually by BCM Media Company, Inc., 309 W. Armstrong Drive, Fountainville, PA 18923. 215-766-2694. Published 2x a year in the spring and fall. All contents copyright by BCM Media Company. All rights reserved.
Come visit and see our collections and artifacts of our past in Doylestown. We also collect stories. The narratives are the human connection to our past and it is these stories that help bring history alive. Without the stories, all those photos, documents, and objects are just interesting things to look at. We also celebrate our past with events that commemorate Doylestown's people, places and events, so that they may long be remembered. Museum Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Wednesday-Saturday or by appointment.
56 S. Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901; 215- 345-9430.
Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce
May 4: Bucks Fever Patron
June 6: Entrepreneurial Assistance Committee Program
June 8: New Member Orientation-Wine & Cheese Reception
June 20: Chairmans Circle Dinner
August 7: Gold Outing
August 27: Veterans Event
www.centralbuckschamber.com
Bucks Beautiful Spring Fling
April 21: Join us for the 10th Annual Spring Fling Gala at the historic Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm on April 21st from 6-10 pm. Guests will enjoy dining in the country elegance of the 19th Century Stone Bank Barn, located at 5281 York Road in Holicong. The enchanting evening will include seated dinner, silent and live auctions, wine pull, raffle and live entertainment. Cocktail hour music will be performed by student musicians from the Central Bucks West High School Orchestra. www.bucksbeautiful.org.
Bucks County Symphony Orchestra
April 29: Spring Concert featuring pianist Zhenni Li Cohen
Central Bucks High School East,2804 Holicong Road, Doylestown, Pa 18902; www.buckscountysymphony.org.
Discover Doylestown
May 13: Flower Baskets
June 17: 4th Annual Doylestown Pride Festival www.discoverdoylestown.org.
30th Annual Doylestown 5k Race
May 27: The Doylestown 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run are a Memorial Day Weekend tradition. We are taking all precautions necessary to host a safe and fun event this year. https://doylestown5k.com.
Pearl S Buck
May 17: Memoir Writing Class
May 28: Writers Guild
520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944; www.pearlsbuck.org.
Peddlers Village
May 3-20: Cupcake Decoration Competition
May 6-7: Starwberry Month
June-August: Sand Sculptures in the Village
July 4: Red, White, & Blue BBQ Bash
Weekends in July: Bluegrass & Blueberries
August 5-6: Peach Month
Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, PA. 215-794-4000; www.peddlersvillage.com.
Peace Valley Nature Center
Ongoing: Saturday Morning WalksApril 30: Awesome Amphibians
May 3: Wildflowers
May 14: Animals & Their Mommies
May 17: Moss:Ancient and Enchanting
170 North Chapman Road, Doylestown, PA. 215-345-7860; www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org.
Mercer Museum
April 20: Treasures from the Vault: Seeds & Gardening
May 3: Saving Your Story: Preservation 101 for the Family Historian
May 24: 700 Miles in a French Houseboat: The Travels of Henry Mercer
June 18: Juneteenth Celebration at the Mercer Museum
84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA. 215-345-0210; www.mercermuseum.org.
Fonthill Museum
July 4: Fonthill Castle Fourth of July
August 26: Fonthill Castle Beer Fest 525 E Court St,Doylestown, PA 18901
Michener Museum
May 13 – November 5: Sarah Kaizar: RARE AIR
Through July 30: Mid-Century to Manga: The Modern Japanese Print in America
138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA; 18901;215-340-9800; www.michenerartmuseum.org
Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio
Ongoing: A full-service fine art investment firm specializing in 19th- and 20th-century American paintings. There is an emphasis on the Pennsylvania Impressionists, the Philadelphia Ten, and artists from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Fine art framing services, as well as conservation services, also are provided. 5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA. 215-3482500; www.gratzgallery.com.
Bucks County Center for the Performing Arts
June 21-25: Sisters Summer School Cathechism
July 5-9: The Great American Songbook
July 27-30: Gypsy
700 E. Butler Ave, Doylestown PA 18901; www.buckscountycenterfortheperformingarts.org.
Doylestown at Dusk Car Show
July 15: Doylestown at Dusk is a classic car show featuring over 500 cars annually. Located on the streets of Doylestown, Pennsylvania the show offers a unique experience for car owners and
admirers. Enjoy live music, local restaurants, and much more - all free to the public. www.doyles townatdusk.com.
Bedminster Traditional Artisan Show
August 26-27: Meet over 35 of the top American folk artists, handcrafted period American art, museum reproductions. What you will see in the booths at the University is decorative arts, paintings (both oil paintings and theorem art), fabric art, pottery, furniture, quilts, baskets, carvings, all produced with the most skilled and conscientious craftsmanship. This wonderful fine arts & craft show is conducted each year in Doylestown, PA at the Delaware Valley University. www.traditionalartisanshow.com.
September 10: The Bucks County Classic in beautiful Doylestown Pennsylvania is more than just a race. We embrace the sport of cycling and offer experiences for all to participate. Bring your child to one of our Learn to Ride clinics, join local organizations on a group ride, try your hand at virtual racing or experience the thrill of American bike racing on race day when racers give their all as they circle the eight turn 1.4-mile course vying for their piece of the prize. www.buckscountyclassic.com.
September 9-10: Doylestown Arts Festival returns for its 32th anniversary. Featuring 160 juried artists, live music on 5 stages, local food vendors, live art, and interactive demonstrations, the festival is a great experience for all ages! Free to attend, the Doylestown Arts Festival is one of the largest and most celebrated arts festivals in the region. The festival runs 10am-5pm each day. www.dtownartsfestival.com.
Getting excited to visit the free Doylestown at Dusk Car Show on July 15, 2023 (rain day July 16, 2023), which exhibits up to 525 historic and modern cars, and some motorcycles in downtown Doylestown? This will be the 14th year this unique car show is being held on the streets of Doylestown. Yes they close down the town!
The car show is a major fundraiser for the Doylestown Rotary Club (which by itself will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024). The Club is a group of civil-minded people who do service projects in the local community by providing support to vulnerable parts of the population which in 2022 distributed over $30,000. The Doylestown at Dusk Car Show, originally founded by the late Bruce Rutherford, is now being led by a dedicated and
skilled team of car enthusiasts: Helen Amelsberg, Chair and Rick Milham as Vice Chair. Helen is also the incoming president of the Doylestown Rotary Club starting in July of this year. Being enthusiastic about travel, it is not surprising that Helen founded and manages a local successful travel agency, Vacation Crusaders. Helen says, “Travel by car, plane or boat–just travel and explore the world.”
As the car show routinely draws up to 20,000 visitors to downtown Doylestown each year, and there are a number of volunteer opportunities. Want to get involved to benefit the local community or to show your car, visit www.doylestownatdusk.com to participate in this year’s event. Want to travel visit www.vacationcrusaders.com.
B3 Personal Training is a private personal training boutique studio designed for those looking to make a serious commitment to their long-term health.
Founded in 2011, owner and Exercise Physiologist, Brent Hartman, provides clients with an unparalleled environment in which they can work toward measurable improvements both inside and outside the training facility. With an emphasis on individualized goals and needs, each client is provided with unique
programming using the B3 proprietary method of training. The B3 method of training develops a balanced approach to fitness beginning with a strong functional foundation based on science. The Certified Personal Trainers at B3 specialize in working with clients that have a deep desire to become their best and live a high performance lifestyle.
To shape up this spring contact Brent at 267-247-5061 or visit B3 Personal Training at www.b3personaltraining.com.
Estates Chimney, a family owned business that has been serving Bucks and Montgomery Counties for over 40 year, has established a reputation as a reliable and professional chimney and fireplace service provider. And it is known for offering friendly and knowledgeable customer service and for excellence in workmanship.
Dedication to customer service begins with a team that knows every customer is important and each one brings their own unique needs. Their team understands that every customer is unique, and they take the time to listen carefully to each customer's needs and concerns. Someone may be in the need of a new gas, wood, pellet, electric product or a chimney cleaning or inspection. Their team is delighted to provide each customer with personalized and attentive service.
Estates Chimney is committed to excellence. Their commitment to excellence is backed by their CSIA and NFI certifications, which demonstrate their expertise in the installation, maintenance, and repair of all types of chimney and fireplace products.
One of the most significant advantages of working with Estates Chimney is their
specialization in the installation of gas, wood, pellet, and electric products. This range of expertise means that they can help customers find the perfect solution for their home heating needs. Whether a customer is looking for a traditional wood-burning fireplace or a modern gas fireplace insert, Estates Chimney has the knowledge and experience to provide an installation that meets the customer’s unique heating needs.
In addition to installation services, Estates Chimney also offers chimney cleanings and inspections, as well as chimney and masonry repairs. Regular cleanings and inspections are essential for maintaining a safe and efficient chimney system. Their team of certified professionals can identify and repair any issues before they
become a more significant problem, ensuring that the fireplace system remains safe and functional for years to come.
The Estates Chimney showroom in Chalfont features all of their products, which allows customers to see and test their options before making a purchase. This hands-on experience sets Estates Chimney apart from other companies that rely solely on online sales. Whether you're in the market for a new fireplace, stove, or chimney
liner, Estates Chimney has a wide selection of high-quality products to choose from. And if you can't find what you're looking for, their team can work with you to find a custom solution that meets your specific needs. You can expect nothing but the best in terms of both products and service.
The Estates Chimney showroom is located at 48 Sunset Ave., Chalfont, PA. For more information, call 215-997-6880 or visit online at www.estateschimney.com.
Salvatore Outdoor is the newest addition to the Sal's Nursery & Landscaping family of companies. Founded by Sal and Mary Antonucci in 1956, Sal's Nursery has become a household name, adapting and expanding to fit the need for an all-inclusive design build firm. Other members of the Sal's Nursery family include Bonucci Masonry, Lorenti Builders, Aqua Clean, and Distinctive Outdoor Structures. Overseeing the in-house design team, Tamara Fellowes explained the conception of Salvatore Outdoor and how they “learned from each outdoor space they created to grow and fit the need of any services not previously offered”.
The Salvatore Outdoor Showroom and Design Center boasts a wide range of goods and services meant to create the most convenient solution to design any outdoor space. With all of the branches of the Sal's Nursery family represented under one roof, their customers can anticipate guidance with a cohesive design process; from the conception of your design through to the completed build and ongoing maintenance of your outdoor project. Some of the pro-
ducts on display at the Salvatore Outdoor Showroom include shade solutions from Frankford, outdoor appliances from Fire Magic, and luxury motorized pergolas from StruXure. While perusing the many product offerings and enjoying the beautiful display gardens in their spacious two-acre piazza, Tamara let us in on their vision for the showroom. “We want this to be more than a furniture store, but also destination for you to spend time and be inspired" Tamara states.
Come visit the Salvatore Outdoor Showroom and Design Center located at 106 Witchwood Drive, North Wales, PA 19454. To contact the showroom, call 215-918-9965 or visit their website at www.SalvatoreOutdoor.com.
John and Susan Smith promote Doylestown with videos, social media and their signature gift basket business—Bucks County Baskets and Doylestown Baskets
Call them promoters. Or marketers. Or Doylestown enthusiasts. Actually, it’s probably a little of each. Because whatever the title, if you want to fully know Doylestown, you need to know John and Susan Smith. This dynamic duo spends their time searching out information about area events, businesses, and
people, creates professional quality videos and then posts them on their Instagram page known as the borobuzz aka: Doylestownborobuzz.
They come by their business naturally. The couple has resided in the borough since 2019, where Susan says, “I love being able to walk everywhere.” It’s certainly the charm for most residents. But so is the community spirit. And if there is a testa-
ment to capturing it on video, the Smiths have done it very well.
Take for example a Doylestown staple—The Bagel Barrel. Susan was introduced to Bob Kelly of Fox 29 News, Philadelphia. Bob was looking for some ‘material’ for his morning segment and Susan sprang into action. What better place to gather town folks than this beloved town breakfast/lunch staple? The plan fell into place, Bob Kelly showed up at 3:15 a.m. with Susan following. Bob spoke and joked with residents on air and then, was escorted out-of-town on a vintage fire engine—compliments of the Doylestown Fire Company. John caught it all on video. And Patrick Murphy, owner of Bagel Barrel, couldn’t have been more pleased. Celebrating his 30th year in business, the segment was a great way to celebrate, and Patrick says, “The borobuzz has brought in a lot of business for the entire borough—not just me.”
That’s just one of dozens of videos John produced since they started the ‘buzz’ in January ’21. Just when so many businesses were struggling to stay alive in the midst of a pandemic, along came the best in technology to provide a little Rx to stay afloat. Both John and Susan, with backgrounds in communications and media, offered small businesses just what they needed—to reach into people’s phones and invite them back in. “Our initial goal was to do this during the pandemic. It was hard seeing businesses struggle, so we asked ourselves how we can help support them. That was the genesis of the idea,” John says. And the com-
munity jumped on board.
“It’s a labor of love,” says Susan. And it’s dovetailed well with her for-profit basket businesses—Doylestown Baskets and Bucks County Baskets. All custom-selected, her customers will ask her to put together themed items for gift-giving. Custom Mercer tiles grace the front of each basked containing items such as Raymer’s chocolates, County Theater gift cards, local wine, area castle and event tickets. And for locals, it’s free delivery as well. For others, it’s items from businesses both in and outside of the borough that are selected. All around, it’s all about community—loving it, promoting it. And most definitely having fun at it.
Laurie To is Communications Director of Bucks Beautiful. You may know that the non-profit organization is dedicated to making Bucks County a more beautiful place by planting bulbs, developing gardens and reforestation initiatives. Headquartered in Doylestown, Laurie met Susan and John through the Doylestown Cardinal last year. “They’ve been amazing in helping promote our events,” Laurie says. It all began when Susan approached Laurie about doing videos and even providing one of her gift baskets to be used as a raffle at one of their fundraisers. The couple also did a social media promotion which helped direct traffic to the organization and increase their followers. “We were flattered that they were offering all this complimentary, out of the goodness of their hearts. We have a tiny marketing budget. Having someone put in time and effort was very
special to us.” It’s also been a great tool to visually show people what their events look like—even what to wear in advance of the next year’s gala. And that has turned into a marketing tool for gaining sponsorship too.
You might say that Susan is the frontwoman—the poised former Miss Pennsylvania who is experienced on camera. Add to that her periodic appearances on QVC and you have a perfect on-air personality to lead the content. John, who is in coffee sales, has been making videos since he was a kid, utilizes his phone to shoot the videos, edit them and upload them to the site. From reaching out to planning to staging to shooting and editing, the process can take upwards of a dozen hours. And every bit of it is non-
profit.
One of their favorites has to be a holiday video. “For Christmas, we gathered some community members, got them up dancing to Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You,” Susan says, “We also danced to a Justin Timberlake video.”
As local events find their way onto the calendar, John and Susan find their way to make a video to bring it to life. Event listings are great—this just takes it up a notch and provides something visually stimulating. Nothing to get you out the door and into town for the bike race, arts festival, Bucks Beautiful, restaurant specials and bands. “People are very willing to participate,” says the couple, “People will ask us to do one for them.” And most always, they oblige.
But the questions begs, with careers and seven children between them, time management is an issue. With an increasing number of people and businesses vying for videos, John and Susan are once again on the move. This time, a forprofit business called Bucks County Network. “We came up with the idea because we have resources to offer people, like professional videographers that can put ideas together for them in two-minute videos. They will tell their story, while providing content that they can also use on their own social media site,” says John. They will take the form of YouTube videos that serve as what John calls a repository for town. It will be fee-simple and a nice service for businesses who need help with social media promotion.
So, Susan and John will continue to be the first in their families, and perhaps a good part of the community, to know exactly what is going on in the borough. But you’ll be a close second. And if you’re social media shy, this may just give you the incentive to download the Instagram app to your phone, search for the site and see first-hand what all the ‘buzz’ is about for yourself.
Find the borobuzz @borobuzz or doylestownborobuzz on Instagram (IG) For more information about Susan’s baskets, visit www.buckscountybasket.com.
Chrysa Smith is a contributor to the magazine and continually navigating her way through Instagram.
From painting a mailbox to designs on clothing to painting landscapes, representational / interpretive artist Ilene Rubin has been filling empty spaces with paint since she was a child
Aristotle coined the phrase: “Nature abhors a vacuum,” meaning that every space in nature needs to be filled with something. For most of her life, artist Ilene Rubin has attempted to fill those empty spaces with paint. According to her, almost anything with a paintable surface is fair game. Though she began by decorating objects, she is best known today for her paintings, especially her landscapes.
As a girl she’d paint things around her parents’ home like the mailbox, an old radiator and her closet doors. Later on at college she painted a mural on someone’s dorm room wall which, she said, “I got in trouble for.” The mural stayed up until the end of the semester when she was
told to remove it.
Ilene then painted designs on clothing, boots, purses and furniture in different motifs ranging from folk art to landscapes. And while she still paints objects, her primary focus has shifted to painting landscapes in a variety of mediums. For the past 14 years she’s devoted herself to preserving rapidly vanishing scenes due to development and natural decline.
“I want to feel that I’m there in the painting and that others can walk into it even if the place is no longer there, almost like a dream.” One of her paintings featured Lock #11 on the Delaware Canal in New Hope, PA. Though the canal looks different now, she can still visualize the scene and the two swans that once glided across the water.
Her style, which she describes as repre-
sentational/interpretive, varies depending on what she is painting. A former teacher once said to her, “You are two different artists—you have to decide which one you are.” To which she replied: “No, I don’t.”
“I do lean toward impressionism more than photo realism but in all things, the magnet is texture and color. Beauty is everywhere and I see details and texture in everything. The details pop out and I try to capture them.” Her intention is not to copy every brick in a building, but rather to create a visual story about what she wants to convey. She will ask herself, “Have I said everything I wanted to about that scene?”
She doesn’t want to paint with her eyes so much as her heart. “Art is an emotional response,” she said, as she put a hand over her heart. “Look at that chair over there,
how the light is bouncing off the metal or the coffee cup on this table. You can give anything dignity and respect by painting it. Every painting is a love affair.”
The transition from painting objects to creating fine art happened gradually. “I lacked the skill set,” she said. Primarily selftaught, she learned from books, teachers and her peers.
In 2007 while living in Boulder, CO, Ilene decided to take art lessons when she had difficulty finding work. Her teacher, Lillian Kennedy, became her mentor and the classes provided a valuable social outlet. From that time on, painting became a fulltime hobby.
“I learned by first copying a Redfield painting, but Lillian stressed the importance of becoming my own artist.” Ilene started
out painting with acrylics and then learned pastels, watercolors and oils. “It took a lot of patience and tenacity,” she said.
Even more influential than her mentor was Ilene’s husband, Mitch, who encouraged her to develop her talent into something greater. “When he gave me the first set of paints, and then again, a few years later my first set of pastels, his knowing comment was, ‘See what you can do with these.’ That made all the difference in taking me from a place where I doodled on walls and radiators and challenged me to put my creative energy onto canvas.”
Before painting she does sketches and value studies, often printing a black and white photo of the scene. Somehow, she knows how her paintings will turn out in the end, but to keep her on track she takes
photos of her work as she goes along. “It helps me check my progress and keeps me accountable.”
Born in Philadelphia, Ilene grew up in Elkins Park and entered her first art contest when she was nine. A newspaper sponsored the contest in which contestants had to draw the profile of a dog’s head. She remembers how excited she was to receive her winning prize in the mail—her very own sketchbook.
Graduating from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences with a B.S. degree in retail management and a minor in textile design, she worked as forecaster and allocator of sales at Guitar Center, the Walking Company and Harbor Freight Tools. In addition she became department manager at Strawbridge & Clothier and Lord & Taylor.
Ilene’s a night owl and paints between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. “I’ve always been very family oriented,” she said, “and didn’t want to disturb them by painting during the day. Children and home have always come first.” Though her children are grown now and she has three grandchildren, she still keeps those late hours.
Since moving back to PA in 2008 from Boulder, she has studied with Bucks County artists including John Murdoch, George Thompson, Betty Minnucci, Dot Bunn and Philadelphia based Patrick Connors.
Artists who inspire her include John Constable, Jean-Baptise-Camille Corot, Joaquin Sorolla, and Vincent Van Gogh. Contemporary artists include Andrew Tischler, Jos Van Riswick and Michael James Smith.
Ilene is affiliated with several art groups including: Doylestown Art League, Artists of Bristol on the Delaware, Artists of Yardley, New Hope Art League, Artsbridge, Abington Art Center and Arts and Cultural Council of Bucks County. She served as vice president of the New Hope Art League from 2014 to 2016 and co-founded a group called Broads with Brushes that offered local artists the opportunity to show their work.
Ilene’s work is represented by Off the Wall Framing and Gallery in Skippack, PA and is also available for purchase on her website: www.ilenerubin.com.
Malinchak is a freelance writer and avid gardener from Quakertown, PA.
Focusing on improving the interior flow, designer Lisa Griffiths in collaboration with Bauer Construction transformed the living space of this Historic Doylestown Farmhouse
By Beth BuxbaumExpanded and updated several times throughout its history, this historic Doylestown stone farmhouse, c. 1854, has new owners and a new look. Purchasing this property in 2021, the newest owners wanted a refresh. As former clients of Lisa Griffiths, of La Bella Casa Interior Designs, they enlisted
Lisa’s expertise to orchestrate this muchneeded transformation.
This centuries-old farmhouse’s interior style is a mix of personal tastes and design eras representing its many years and owners. In the 1930s-40s an expansion took place adding the dining room and then in the 1970 a new kitchen was
designed. Embellished over the years with an array of finishes including vintage pumpkin pine, heart pine, and oak wide board floors, the original architectural features are still intact with three fireplaces, deep sill windows, two staircases and generous room sizes on all three living levels. While working with the existing footprint
and architectural elements as much as possible, Lisa mapped out her plan to focus on improving the interior flow.
In collaboration with Chris Bauer, of Bauer Construction, the renovation began with the first floor living space. “Our goal was to transform the interior flow of the house and update the aesthetics,” adds
Lisa. Very little was altered from the previous owners who lived in the farmhouse since the 1970s. “The interior was very retro,” Lisa describes, “reflecting a ’60s-’70s aesthetic, especially the bathrooms and kitchen.” Keeping much of the footprint as is when they moved in, the new owners were ready to update their interior living space.
First floor projects involved the kitchen, dining room and great room. “We focused on creating a more open and airy flow,” Lisa adds. For better usage of space and updating, they re-configured and re-defined these rooms. “We opted to use a neutral light paint color throughout the entire home to provide a bright open feel. We also redid all the lighting and utilized accents to bring in color and texture to the spaces,” Lisa explains. Wasted space and obstructed flow were the challenges in redefining the kitchen. Lisa describes how the room was heavy and dated with sage green cabinets, a dark wood encased center
Opposite, in the dining room, an espresso patina ceiling tile was installed to add color and texture, infusing this space with hues of a bluish, green tint. A custom double settee in the corner was added to accommodate more seating around the table. Along the left wall is an all wood wine cabinet. Above, a tiny mudroom was designed in the rear entry to house the litter boxes and provide for outdoor foot traffic. Bottom, this entry into the front foyer, den and office was refreshed with new sconces and a wood and metal table with a circular mirror above, to add interest to the space.
island and a dark wood hutch. “We cleared out all the outdated structures, like a bank of cabinets, a full wall plate holder and the center island,” Lisa adds. She describes that this ’70s kitchen was very bulky, with dated accents and color tones.
In a cozy corner surrounded by windows they added a custom banquette. “We installed this banquette to maximize seating and maintain clearance around table,” she continues. Along a back wall they tore out a full wall plate holder and added a few shelves. To provide more storage space, a custom cabinet was installed in another corner of the room. The owners had a smaller movable island from their previous home that they added to this space. For a brighter tone in the room, the cabinetry was painted light blue, the owner’s favorite color. New countertops are gray-toned quartz and a new white backsplash has specs of gray and brown tones. “We removed the stainless steel sink and hardware and added a copper sink and copper oven hood,” Lisa continues. All the new design elements now brightened and enhanced the space.
Opposite, in a cozy kitchen corner a custom banquette was installed to maximize seating and maintain clearance around table. Bottom, a custom cabinet, finished in light blue, was installed in one kitchen corner for more storage.
For the kitchen rear entry, they reconfigured this area by removing the existing closet doors and installing a custom built-in to create a tiny mudroom. This transformed the entry to accommodate the foot traffic from the barn and grounds and also created a place for the owner’s two cats litter boxes. From the mud room entry, the floor plan moves into the great room. In this rambling space, with low ceilings, faux wood beams were added to break up the expansive ceiling. “In this room there was a lot of wasted space,” Lisa adds, “and I wanted to re-center the area to create a comfortable gathering spot.” To do this they refreshed a wall that housed the large screen TV. This wall had banks of wall shelves and bottom cabinets. With the 10” thick walls it was a challenge to dig through to remove the old shelving and wiring. “We discovered the original front door that was acting as the back for the existing recessed shelves,” Chris explains. We refinished it and now it serves as a barn slider for entry to the main bathroom suite, he adds.” They re-did the shelves, refreshed the bottom cabinets and connected these elements to create the illusion that it was one custom unit. At the far end of the great room are the original fireplace and a narrow entry into the front foyer, den and office. In this space Lisa spruced up the entry with new sconces, a wood and metal table and a circular mirror above, to add interest to the space.
Adding interest and a little pop of color was the goal in the dining room. Lisa explains that there is not a lot of wall space in this room to create any accents. One wall is a floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors to the patio. “We installed an espresso patina ceiling tile to add color and texture,” she continues, “infusing this space with hues of a bluish, green tint.” To accommodate the expansiveness of this room, Lisa suggested they add the leaf to the dining table. Once that was done they needed more seating. Lisa added a custom double settee, in a soft blue fabric, to create seating for seven and added another touch of color. Along the left wall is an all wood Liba-
Top, blue cabinets, gray quartz countertop, bright new backsplash and new center island replaced all the former accents to refresh the kitchen. Opposite bottom, part of the update was to remove the stainless steel sink and hardware and add a copper sink and copper oven hood.
tions Locker by Universal Furniture. This wine cabinet provides storage for glasses, wine and alcohol, as well as a credenza top for mixing and serving drinks. With all of these new appointments, the dining room has been transformed for entertaining and gathering.
Refurbishing the second floor was the next project. With its 70s décor of floral curtains, dark wood vanity and tiny stall shower, this bathroom was transformed. “The hall bath had a small bath tub with awkward head clearance,” Lisa explains, “so we added a shed dormer and gained 15 sq.ft.” Once removing the old stall shower, this extra space made it possible to install a glass enclosed seamless shower. A new color palette was added with black and white shower and floor tiles and hardware. For the main bathroom, also done in a 70s décor of floral accents, they did a complete renovation. “We ripped out all the original fixtures down to the studs,” Lisa adds, “getting rid of a lavatory closet, linen closet and tub/shower.” They also removed a bank of closets in the hallway leading to the bathroom. “We were able to gain significant square footage to change the floor plan in this space,” Lisa describes. Finishing touches were orchestrated with soft blue -toned cabinetry and display shelves with tile accents in grays and blues. In the main bedroom Lisa added new features. On one wall she replaced two sets of bi-fold closets with a full wall of custom built-ins. On the window wall they added a window seat adding interest and more storage. “We painted the walls and built-ins a dark gray so that the built-ins would recede into the
walls,” Lisa adds. An altered color palette and customized storage units resulted in a completely refreshed bedroom.
Infusing the interior rooms with an open flow and more efficient functionality created the desired changes. Adding new color tones and accents were the finishing touches. Now the owners are enjoying their updated living space while embracing their farmhouse’s historic significance.
Lisa Griffiths, founder and principal designer of La Bella Casa Interior Designs, is an award winning, full service designer who has helped clients navigate the design process with ease since 2001. She specializes in residential design with vast experience in home renovation and remodeling. Lisa has a unique understanding of the obstacles her clients face when embarking on a home improvement project. Lisa’s creative mindset enables her to tailor solutions for her clients. For more information, call 215-287-0764 or visit www.labellacasainteriordesigns.com.
Doylestown Farmers Market is special because of it’s locallysourced, sustainable food and products and it is the oldest continually operating Farmers market in the county
By Chrysa SmithApril 15th is the date Doylestown Area residents have been waiting for. The annual Doylestown Farmers Market opens for the season. And it couldn’t come soon enough. Located on Hamilton Street, right behind the municipal parking lot, its fresh produce and dairy, street music and baked goods, are a welcome reprieve from the long days spent inside, not to mention produce that’s seen its share of highway mile markers.
Farmers markets have grown substantially. In fact, many towns with an active population that support their local farms have one. So, what makes Doylestown’s stand out? For one, it’s managed by the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance; an organization dedicated to providing those in the region with locally-sourced, sustainable food and products. They took over management of the market (and the Wrightstown Farmers Market) from the Buckingham Civic Association. Seems only natural. Secondly, it’s the oldest continually operating Farmers market in
Bucks County. But perhaps on a more personal level, those who run the market are engaged. According to Kelly Unger, Director of the Foodshed Alliance and owner of the Rooster & Carrot cooking school, market-goers are asked each season what else they’d like to see at the market, and vendors are regularly monitored so needs are met. And on a wider platform, the market is proud to say it has served as an incubator, launching area businesses beyond local borders and even into brick and mortar stores.
Alex Dadio is the market’s manager. With a degree in Horticulture, she’s fully immersed in the cultivation of plants, but when wearing her Farmers Market hat, she does market planning—and dealing with vendors—and organizing children’s activities—and writing articles for the market’s newsletter. She believes there is an emotional side to the market. “It’s about building community and relationships—connecting with what you eat and buy,” she says. It brings well over a thousand people each week into the center of town, where they’ll likely spend additional time in the variety of shops and restaurants there. According to Alex, “It’s furthering economic development.” And it was clear to me that she and Kelly pretty well run the show. And that is no small task.
Beginning on January 1st, potential vendors can begin submitting their applications for the upcoming market. “We try to give preference to our long-time vendors,” Alex says, with approvals usually coming within a week or two. With newer vendors, the process takes a bit longer. No doubt there is verification that the products are appropriate for the market, that there is a commitment and that it is all local.
Perhaps the longest-running vendor is Trauger’s Farm Market. Alex says they’ve been around for well over 40 years—actually since a market existed. Back in its earliest days, Laura Helfrich, one of the owners says, “My mother was carrying me when they first went to the market, and we’ve been going ever since.” Laura remembers that it was on the outskirts of town at the time, and regardless of location, has continually helped them expand their reach from their 60 acre farm up on the river in Kintnersville. They’re now in their 9th generation. “It’s definitely helped business and has been a great community event. Lots of customers have become friends,” she adds. As Laura chuckled, she said you can find them there in all sorts of weather— she’s seen it all. And marketgoers will get to sample it all as they present the last of their winter crops and the new—from lettuce and kale
to herbs and even homemade popcorn.
Nord Bread is another long-term market resident. Located on Swamp Road, Nord Bread bakes sourdough-based breads using non-GMO ingredients and no commercial yeast. Bianca Saracini along with her husband Danny Perez are regular vendors. She says how important the market is to them, “It’s our connection to the community. It’s the tie that binds us to other vendors with whom we share like-minded ideas about sustainability, food grown and created with a high level of integrity, and a comradery that has formed because we all understand how much work goes into what we do. And if we don’t have the support of the community, we can’t sustain our own lives.”
Alex is in her fourth year as manager. “I was working for a vendor selling mush-
rooms,” she says. After about two years, when the mushroom grower decided to close his business, Alex noticed a chalk board sign with a posting for a market manager. She applied, got the job and has since watch the market grow and change. “I’m at the market every Saturday from about 6 to 2,” Alex noted. She gets there when the vendors are setting up, making sure all is well, posting on Facebook and Instagram, talking with shoppers, watching vendors take down their tents and doesn’t leave until the last vendor has packed. You might call it a labor of love.
“We have about 1500 customers on a busy day,” says Kelly. Counts are done every 30 minutes and include the serious shoppers on a mission, the minglers who come with their coffee and chat it up with
the neighbors, as well as the weekly folks who restock their pantries. “Product wise,” Kelly says, “we cover everything from produce to coffee, olive oil and even cleaning products.” There are probably five or so new vendors this year, including two pierogi vendors, the Lambertville Bake House and a hummus company, with still others being finalized. With about 40 spaces, the market is home to weekly and bi-weekly vendors, with the key buzzword being sustainability. For example, “FD Market brings sustainable kitchen fillable products (like soap and detergent). You bring your container, and they refill,” Kelly says. A host of rotating musicians, mixologists and children’s craft activities make it a well-rounded event for virtually everyone.
For over 30 weeks, this weekly event
repeats, sometimes with the most familiar faces, sometimes a newly-made friend. All the while knowing that even when November rolls around, the work is not done. The addition of a winter market means that December through February are once again busy, leaving Kelly and Alex about a month to gear up and do it all over again.
The market is open every Saturday, mid-April through November, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Located on Hamilton Street, between Oakland and Court, vendors take a variety of payment options, including those who honor SNAP. For more information, visit www.doylestownfarmersmarket.bucks foodshed.org.
As painters at the Red Show study the vibrant hues that through tubes of paint they replicate on canvas, we too are affected by the dancing wavelengths reflected off the trees, flowers, streets and buildings that make Doylestown a visual party celebrating the spring and summer sun.
Dr. Welsh has treated patients from Park Avenue to Doylestown in his 17+ years as a Board Certified Digital Orthodontist. “Creating exceptional smiles that give my patients confidence is my WHY. In my office, Orthodontics isn’t just about straightening teeth. Aligning bites, optimizing facial aesthetics, and so much more all go into crafting the perfect smile.”
His office, Bucks County Orthodontics (BCO) in Doylestown, uses the most advanced technology to ensure you get your perfect smile faster, with greater comfort and in fewer visits! He states, “Our BCO mission is simple —create perfect smiles while providing an orthodontic experience like no other and giving back to our community.”
As the leading provider of LightForce 3D printed fully custom braces in the entire greater Philadelphia area, he was recently chosen as a LightForce Key Opinion Leader. He teaches Orthodontists across North America how to use this innovative technology. “LightForce is the next generation of braces. My patients love this convenient aesthetic option.”
BCO consistently supports their community—Penn Athletics, CBAA, DAA, the YMCA of Bucks County, iRun4Life, Coaches vs. Cancer, the Travis Manion Foundation, Bucks 5k Series, Pine2Pink and countless additional local teams, groups, and events. Dr. Welsh is a local orthodontist—he lives in Doylestown with his wife and two children and feels “honored to be able to live and work in such a wonderful community.”
Dr. Welsh provides treatment to children, adolescents and adults. “My promise to my patients is that they will feel like family and will be treated like I would treat my own family.”
To schedule your Free Consultation, call or text 215-348-9521 or visit www.buckscountyorthodontics.com.
Soler, FounderIn the early days of the 2020 pandemic, Amanda Soler began dreaming. As Chief Operating Officer of a Chamber of Commerce she had spent three decades helping people to network and build companies. In her role of Chamber COO and editor of the magazines, W4 and the Business & Arts Journal, Amanda enjoyed working with a wide array of people. From artists and creatives to financiers and tradespeople, Amanda helped people tell stories that were at once compelling and inspiring. She spent her days strategizing and building programs designed to connect people to top leaders, provide forums to build professional skills, and launched platforms for fostering business connections.
Taking a piece of her last name Soler, and combining her years of business building expertise with her interest in larger life themes and practices such as yoga and meditation, Amanda has created a unique entity called SolFul Living, designed to help people leverage their purpose and passions and create successful and thriving businesses.
“I really wanted to dig a little deeper and help people get beyond connections made at business lunches and forums,” says Amanda.
SolFul Living provides tips, tools and resources to help people fuel their ambitions. The business hosts specialized gatherings—in-person and virtual workshops and is preparing for its first annual SolFul Living Conference.
Amanda also serves as the host, producer and creator of the SolFul Connections podcast, rated by Goodpods as #35 out of the top 100 Indie Self Help Podcasts. For more information, visit www.solfuliving.com.
Conquering Cuisine is mix of businesses,” says owner Denis Chiappa, who is a chef, cooking instructor and caterer. “First and foremost,” Denis says, “we are a cooking school. Not for professionals but for people who are food enthusiasts, people wanting to do something different and even for a date. We also offer prepared meals that people can order, take home and heat up for dinner. And we offer catering.”
Denis Chiappa has been a cooking instructor for over 25 years. He offers specialized classes, but says, “One of the most popular things that we're doing now is what we call our Date Night Series. It is an opportunity for couples who, instead of going out to dinner on a Friday or Saturday night, take a cooking class. The come in and they work. It's a hands-on class and they’ll make three different dishes. And we also serve them dessert. So rather than just go out and have someone serve you, you’re involved in the preparation.” The end result, of course, is a romantic meal.
Other classes focus on techniques, specific foods, wine tasting and pairing and even a kid’s Class. At one of the kid’s classes, the children come in with an adult and they cook side by side. But there is a class where they come in alone. “It’s like the camp approach, where we break them into groups and they make different dishes.”And these are just some of the things that Conquering Cuisine is doing. To learn more about Conquering Cuisine, located on 378 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA, visit www.conqueringcuisine.com.
• Denis Chiappa, Chef/Owner
Bill Kunze joined Heritage Conservancy in the fall of 2021 after 15 years as a senior leader with The Nature Conservancy. He brings deep experience helping organizations accelerate the pace and scale of land conservation and develop innovative strategies around conservation funding, community engagement, sustainable forestry and agriculture, urban conservation, and climate resilience. Bill brings to Heritage Conservancy a passion for nature and history: the two foundations of the organization's mission.
He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in history. As a young child, Bill fell in love with nature through birding excursions to Hawk Mountain in Berks County and Brigantine (now Forsythe) National Wildlife Refuge near Atlantic City. Bill says, “To this day, I’m an avid birder and amateur bird photographer, and as a leader in the land conservation movement for the past 17 years, I have worked to protect the land for the benefit of both nature and people. Heritage Conservancy’s dual mission to keep our land and history alive resonates strongly with these two passions of mine. Put that together with the quality of the organization and the people associated with it, and this is a perfect fit for me.”
Bill meets with staff and board members to plan strategies and projects to advance the Heritage Conservancy mission; and with landowners, donors, community members and leaders, business and government leaders, and other mission-focused organizations to turn these plans into reality. Bill says, “So, depending on the day, I might be in the office in meetings or out walking a beautiful place with a landowner. Either way, you’ll find me with people–that’s how this work gets done.”
Heritage Conservancy is a nationally accredited 501(c)3 conservation organization located at Historic Aldie Mansion, 85 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, PA 18901. Heritage Conservancy’s mission is to protect and care for the lands of our region, to engage with and share the history that unfolded on these lands, and to connect people with both. Visit www.Heritage Conservancy.org, or call 215-345-7020 for more information.
Omiza is a special restaurant, born during the pandemic years and surviving the struggle of those years to become a welcome addition to the Doylestown’s lively dining scene.The Korean owners offer a wide range of Korean, Japanese, Thai (even Hawaiian) dishes, all under the rubric of Modern Asian Cuisine.
Co-owner John Im says that Omiza is the culmination of his family’s restaurant experience, as well as their passion for great food. His parents, Sang Lee (his father) and Sae Min (his mother), previously opened two popular restaurants in Newtown—Oishi, in 1999, and Ko Modern Korean Cuisine, in 2013. His father, a longtime fisherman, has become an exceptional sushi chef. And his mother has an amazing palate and inspired sensibility with food combinations.
Soups are the appropriate starter for an Asian meal and on the menu are listed six soups: Miso Soup, Coconut Chicken or Shrimp, Thai Hot & Sour, Omiza Spicy Soup, Soft Bean Curd Stew, Korean Dumpling Soup and Kimchi Stew. There are several salads.. One I think would be absolutely delectable is Seaweed Salad with Salmon (seaweed, radish and carrots in a citrus vinaigrette, Salmon.)
On the Small Plates menu are eight plates—these range from Vegetable Spring Rolls, to such intriguing dishes as Bao Buns (which come spicy pork belly, Fried Chicken–
Spicy or honey garlic Beef Bulgogi Bun), or Tuna Pizza (tuna, flatbread, yuzu, spicy mayo, arugala, ginger.
There are also menus for the Sushi Bar, Raw Rolls, Cooked Rolls and Vegetable Rolls, Omiza Bento Box, Rice & Grill, Noodles. My favorite menu is the Korean Barbeque, which offers such meat lover entrees as Omiza’s
butcher’s Feast that is “a pre-fixe sampler of our best cuts of meat and Banchan, for two people.
The Drink Menu has cocktails with names like, The wife, Eldest Son, Baby Boy, Man’s Best Friend. There is a great selection of craft beers and a wonderful wine selection.
Omiza Restaurant is located at 641 N. Main St., Doylestown, PA; 267-579-4222; www.omizares taurant.com. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m. –3 p.m., and for dinner Monday–Friday, 4:30–9:30 p.m. and Saturday, 4:30–10 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Tony’s place opened in South Philadelphia at 10th and Jackson streets selling homemade roast beef and meatball sandwiches and original tomato pies, according to Bucks County magazine’s dinning writer, Frank Quattrone, “...(Tony’s) has evolved into an eclectic, even sophisticated restaurant.” Tony’s, has moved from the basics (tomato pies and hot sandwiches) to gourmet Italian dishes. Now in Ivyland and run by 3rd generation owner Joe Mallamaci, who eight years ago, hired Executive Chef William Lewis, a graduate of the renowned Johnson & Wales culinary school and gathered experience in Boston and Center City Philadelphia.
The menu at Tony’s Place still offers much from it’s South Philadelphia past— Meatball
Parm with Provolone or Philly Cheese Steak on a seedless long roll. Or the Triple Bacon Burger, Cedar Salmon, or the Wild Rice Bowl (where wild rice is blended with sautéed butternut squash and brussels sprouts, topped with orange-maple vinaigrette, arugula with pear and raisins, avocado, and a dollop of whipped sweet potatoes).
The Appetizers include such delightful offerings as Carpaccio of Short Rib (Spiced Short Rib, seared and served chilled and thinly sliced; garnished with pear and cranberry relish and parmesan arugula salad; Baked Brie that is topped with sweet oat crunch and cranberry compote and served with grilled ci-
abatta bread. The list of appetizers is long and has something for every palate.
There are soups and 12 different salads to choose from, with additions such as Grilled Tuna, Grilled Salmon Filet, Calamari that can turn any of the salads into a full meal.
For entrees, being a carnivore, I suggest the steakhouse selections: Twin Filet Mignons, The Big Pork Chop and others. The entree menu is seasonal and offers such interesting foods as Cedar Roasted Atlantic Salmon, Char Grilled Filet Kebob, Blackened Chicken Alfredo, Vodka Crab Penne, and many more. Also, there is a large selection of beers, craft beers and IPAs and also a great wine list.
Tony’s Place is located at 1297 Greeley Place, Ivyland, PA 18974; 215-675-7275; www.tonyspla ceivyland.com. Open Sunday–Wednesday, 11 a.m.– 10 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Bar hours daily, 11 a.m.–midnight. Live acoustic entertainment weekends from 9 p.m.
John (Jack) H. Thompson died on December 8, 2020. He was 89 years old. Known for his love of cars, Jack desired to open a car dealership but was turned down by every manufacturer he courted. However, he heard of a new car manufactured in Japan called a Toyota, so in 1969 he opened the first Toyota dealership in the country. Over the years he acquired and sold numerous auto dealerships but kept the Toyota, Lexus and BMW franchises, and to it he added the Thompson Collision Center and Thompson Detail Center. He was one of the founding members of Old York Road Sports Car Club and was very active with SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). His impressive collection of vintage race cars is known worldwide. He also purchased the Black Bass Inn, Lumberville General Store and Golden Pheasant Inn. He also was involved in many community and charitable organizations and was passionate about land conservation.
