MONTCO & HOMES, GARDENS
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$4.95US
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Summer 2017
LIFESTYLE
FAMILY BUSINESSES • GARDEN POTS MYSTERY OF GLENCAIRN • FOLK MUSIC NEW JEWELRY • MEDITERRANEAN HOUSE
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CONTENTS
MONTCO Issue 2, Volume 3
SUMMER 2017
MONTCO HOMES, GARDENS & LIFESTYLE
Departments 6 FROM THE EDITOR 8 TRENDS 10 NOTEWORTHY 14 WHAT TO DO 26 ART 30 IN THE GARDEN 34 CRAFTS 66 STYLE
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46
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70 HOME 74 DINING OUT 80 FINALE
Features 36 AN ENDLESS FLOW OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
John and Purusha have built a home using earthly and natural colors and materials
46 MYSTERY OF GLENCAIRN MANSON
High on the hill in the small borough of Bryn Athyn, PA sits a structure that looks surprisingly like a medieval castle
57 ALL IN THE FAMILY
Four local businesses that like to keep it all in the family
On the Cover “Two Boys Out on a Limb” by artist-in-residence Jennifer Hansen Rolli, is an iconic painting of summer joy.
We Gro Grroow Y Your ou our ur H Home om me Publisher William N. Waite
Associate Publisher Frank Boyd Executive Editor Bob Waite
Art Direction BCM MEDIA CO., INC.
Advertising Director Vicky M. Waite Administration Melissa Kutalek
Discover the perfect outdoor furniture for yourr space –small, large or somewhere in-between–– at Bucks County’’ss premier Lifestyle Garden Cen e ter.
SA AV VE 20%–50% ON ALL OUTDOOR FURNITURE EVER RY Y SET T.. EVER RY Y DAY Y.. FEATURING DINING & DEEP SEATING OUTDOOR FURNITURE FROM~ ALFRESCO HOM E • OUTDOOR INTERIORS • OXFORD GARDENS • TELESCOPE • ER RW W I N A N D S O NS BERLIN GARDENS • R AT TA ANA • HANA M INT • C ASTELLE • JENSEN LEISURE • GENSUN ALSO SHOP OUR FANTASTIC SELECTION OF~ FIRE PITS & CHIM INEAS • CUSHIONS & PILLOWS • UM BRELL AS • T TA A B LE W WA A RE & M O RE
Calendar Editor Mary Beth Schwartz
Cover Artist Jennifer Hansen Rolli
Contributing Writers Diane Bishop, Beth Buxbaum, John Cella, Lew Larason, Lisa Minardi, Frank Quattrone, Lori Rose, Mary Beth Schwartz, Vicky Waite Circulation BCM MEDIA Co., INC.
Contributing Photographers Jess Graves, Melissa Kutalek, Paul Wesley Account Executives Frank Boyd, Lisa Bridge, Kathy Driver, Lisa Kruse Ann Ferro Murray
WE CREA AT TE OUTDOOR SP PA ACES, JUST FOR YOU!
We design. We build b . We manage. We guaran a tee. GARDEN PL ANTINGS • SPECI M EN TREES OUTDOOR KITCHENS • WA AT TE R G A R D E N S C O NT TA A I N E R G A RD E N S • SE A S O N A L M AINTENANCE • CUSTOM GARDEN FENCING • FIREPITS & FIREPL ACES DECKS, ARBORS & PERGOL AS WA W ALKS, W WA ALLS & PA AT TIOS
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1057 N. EASTON ROAD, DOYLESTOWN, PA 215.766.7800 | BUCKSCCOUNTRYGARDENS.COM
MONTCO Homes, Gardens & Lifestyle Magazine, 309 W. Armstrong Drive, Fountainville, PA 18923, phone 215-766-2694 • Fax 215-766-8197. www.montcomag.com. Published quarterly by BCM Media Company Inc., Fountainville, PA. All contents copyright by BCM Media Company DBA/Montco Homes, Gardens & Lifestyle Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Published quarterly. Four-issue subscription for U.S. is $15.95, in Canada $35.00, U.S. dollars only. Standard postage paid at Lancaster, PA. Single-copy price is $4.95 plus $3.00 postage and handling. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MONTCO Homes, Gardens & Lifestyle Magazine, PO BOX 36, Morrisville, PA 19067. This magazine welcomes, but cannot be responsible for, manuscripts and photos unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed return envelope.
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ACCEN NT On
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Artisan Craffted Jew welry Chic Apparel, Gifft & Home
Eclec ctic!
Chic!
From the Editor
I
used to play a game in my mind where I pictured myself suddenly being left with a huge fortune. I would, of course, imagine magnanimous gestures of me giving large amounts to charity and helping all my friends, and then I would imagine, guilt free, how I would spend the rest of it. I would think of the kind of house I would have, and all the sporty cars I would keep real shiny in my garage. My imagination was limited, though. The house was pretty common in its appearance. It would always be large with beautiful grounds and all the accoutrements of modern life, maybe even a robot. But my vision fails miserably when compared to the vision of Raymond Pitcairn, who actually had immense wealth and used some of it to build what is known as Glencairn—a home that truly was his castle. In “Mystery of Glencairn” by Anne Biggs and Joralyn Echols Glenn, we get to take a peek at what this visionary built in the small Borough of Bryn Athyn, where, from a nearby road, passersby see what looks strangely like a medieval castle on a hill. Our article lets you explore both the outside and inside of this amazing structure, which is now a museum open to the public for tours and a variety of events. In our MONTCO Homes, Gardens & Lifestyle Summer 2017 issue, we also have a story on family businesses, which is a subject very near to my heart, since this magazine and its sister magazine in Bucks County are owned by my brother, who was kind enough to employ me, his wife Vicky and his daughter Melissa. In“All in the Family,” written by yours truly, I take you briefly into four local family businesses where we get a glimpse of how they balance business with family. We see why these businesses have lasted for several generations and have seen their share of both good and bad time. Our featured house this summer is the home of John and Purusha Mostoller. John is a developer and Purusha is an interior designer. With their combined skills and the help of an architect, the home was built, furnished and decorated in a way that suits their tastes and needs. Beth Buxbaum in her article, “An Endless Flow of Earthly Delights,” shows the design decisions that are made and the incredible job that two professionals can do when they team up. Lori Rose in our In The Garden department focuses on container gardening and how mobility makes this kind of gardening the perfect way to add accent to our gardens and other areas around the house that need color. Our featured artist this summer is Susan Klinger, who is a master of chiaroscuro, a word meaning light and shadow. In our Crafts department we meet John Duffy, who makes one-of a kind tables from reclaimed wood. We also feature a jeweler, a master at stone work and remodeling and two excellent area restaurants. And, of course, we have a Calendar of Events that lists places to see and things to do in Montgomery County and surrounding areas.
Uniq que!
4064 Skippack Pike Skippack, PA PA 19474 610-615-5901 Roocks.com c www.AccentOnTheR Follow Us @
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Bob Waite Editor
Trends MONTCO
BUNYAAD RUGS ... hand loomed Bunyaad Oriental Rugs. Bunyaad rugs are finished with care and a great eye for detail. Artisans require different scissors among other tools to cut out remaining weft threads once the rug comes off the loom and shear the pile to an even finish to bring out the intricate details of a Persian. Available at Ten Thousand Villages, 781 Route 113, Souderton Shopping Center, Souderton Road for GPS); www.souderton.tenthousandvillages.com and rugs.tenthousandvillages.com.
TRACTORS
SANDALS ... Little’s is pleased to introduce the new JD 2032R & 2038R tractors with many new and unique features. New drive over auto connect 60-inch and 72inch mowers; new 270B Backhoe with features found on larger units and new easy attaching system. Available at our locations in Hatboro, Pottstown, Zieglerville or Downingtown, PA. Robert E Little Inc., Rt. 29 & Little Rd., Zieglerville, PA; 610-287-9643; www.relittle.com.
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... the Clover, a chic stylish sandal that has the benefits of a supportive ankle strap across the top of the foot. Premium burnished metal accents adorn a curved leather strap down the front. Available at SAS Shoes, Providence Town Center, 121 Market Street, Ste. 6, Collegeville, PA; 484-902-8699; www.sasshoesphiladelphia.com.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE
GRILLING
… as you get your outdoor furniture ready for the season, remember that poly wood outdoor furniture is 100% maintenance free except for cleaning. It is made by Amish from recycled milk jug material and comes in 18 different colors (new color is pink) or any two colors in combination. It has a UV inhibitor in the material to resist fading, stays outside year round and resists cracking, splitting and mold. Available at Wood Thru The Ages, 4335 Meadowridge Lane Collegeville, PA; 215-840-3943; www.woodthruthueages.com.
… the backyard chef ’s secret weapon is the Memphis Wood Fire Grill. From high-temperature searing to lowand-slow smoking, it is quite possibly the most versatile and flavor-enhancing device on the planet. Royal Billiard & Recreation, 2622 Bethlehem Pike, Hatfield, PA; 215-997-7777; www.royalbilliard.com.
GARAGE CABINETS
JEWELRY … premier jewelry designer Patricia Locke lures us with her enigmatic blend of contemporary and tradition, fashion and fine art. Available at Accent On The Rocks, 4064 Skippack Pike, Skippack PA; 610-615-5901; www.accentontherocks.com.
... besides showroom quality garage floors, Garage Experts offers cabinets and slatwall to help keep your garage uncluttered, neat and organized. Designed for strength and generous storage capacity, cabinet systems from the Garage Experts are custom built for your space in our own facility. For more information, contact Ric Edwards, 484544-0884; ric.edwards@garageexperts.com.
SUMMER 2017
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NOTEWORTHY
What’s Happening in Montgomery County
Maggie Likes Monster Trucks
J
ennifer Frith is an encourager who happens to be an artist and children’s book illustrator. She has long been inspired by her love of animals, a playful spirit, and sources of hope and encouragement in a hurting world. Her work includes The Rabbit Who Wished He Could Fly, The Lost Squirrel, and her third book which was just published this spring called Maggie Likes Monster Trucks. Maggie was written by local author, Natalie Shafer. The playful story encourages young girls to be themselves and is best suited for children ages 4-9. Jennifer’s
books can be found on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Along with her illustrations, Jennifer creates vibrant animal portraits, sketchbook pages, gratitude journals, art prints, and freelance illustrations. She also enjoys encouraging other artists on her blog, where she regularly shares her art tips and adventures. Jennifer shares her artwork for the sheer joy it brings to herself and her loved ones, with the hopes that it will help to make the world a brighter place. She resides at her home in Harleysville with her husband, daughter, and her fish named Chuck. She plans to one day adopt a bulldog. Jennifer can be reached at www.jennifer frith.com and by email, jennifer@jenniferfrith.com.
Imagine Backyard Dream
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arlton Pools is family owned and operated for 44 years. Carlton has nine customer support centers, open 7 days a week that offer a full line of pool chemicals, maintenance accessories, and replacement parts. Free water analysis and pool maintenance instructions are available at all locations; you can also find furniture, pool toys, and a variety of other accessories for your outdoor oasis. There are 18 display pools in six different locations to help you imagine your backyard dream. Our pool management staff offers many years of experience in the pool industry, and are ready and available to assist you with all of your pool supply needs. No job is too big or small. Carlton can design both commercial and residential pools. They are located in Warminster, Collegeville, West Chester, Chalfont, Trexlertown, Dublin, Branchburg, Toms River, and coming soon, Doylestown. Our headquarters are located at 415 Constance Drive, Warminster PA; 215-674-8185; www.carltonpools.com.
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Wesley Hall, Stylish & Comfortable
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f you’re looking to update your living space with stylish, yet comfortable furniture, Wesley Hall may be just the right choice for you. The Barrett sectional with bench seating and loose pillow backs offer exceptional comfort and style. The Leia accent chair adds in some key design elements with wood and nail head trim and a fun geometric fabric. The Signature Elements accent chair with the English arm in another coordinating fabric, brings the seating area together by mixing different, yet coordinating fabrics. The creamy white coffee table provides a nice contrast to the red sectional and helps to pull the room together along with the area rug, lighting and accessories. Wesley Hall is available at Moore’s Furniture. The Moore family operates their stores with the core values of customer service, knowledgeable sales associates and furniture brands recognized for their quality at great prices. Over the years, the stores have carried many of the top lines in furniture, like Wesley Hall, as seen in the photo. Moore’s Furniture has grown to have over 30 employees operating every aspect of the business, including sales, office and warehouse staff, and delivery teams. Moore’s Furniture continues to serve the tri-state area of Southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Moore’s Furniture is located at 90 Pottstown Pike, Chester Springs, PA 19425 and 3291 W Ridge Pike, Pottstown, PA 19464. For more information, call Moore’s Furniture (Chester Springs) 610-458-800, (Pottstown) 610-495-5252 or visit www.mooresfurniture.com.
WYFL Joins AFP To Help Families
W
FYL joins forces with AFP to offer courses through their Bridge to Well Being program. This program seeks to teach people life skills. It benefits businesses in so many ways, finding prospective employees, helping reduce tax burden and lending a hand up. Find out more about this very important program that seeks to help people provide for themselves and their families. Bridge to Well Being seeks to help all Americans prosper in life. Americans for Prosperity Foundation understands that greater individual freedoms lay the path for a better life and a better society. It’s these principles that have led the Bridge to Wellbeing to partner with communities and local partners, to teach practical skills like budgeting and how to grow a garden and show the ways freedom opens the door to pursue happier, healthier, and more successful lives. Find out more about this very important program that seeks to help people provide for themselves and their families. Bridge to Well Being seeks to help all Americans prosper in life. To learn more, see https://americansforprosperity.org/new-bridge-wellbeing.
Odyssey of American Music Program
F
or almost 60 years, the Philadelphia Folksong Society (PFS) has been presenting music around the Delaware Valley at concerts, street fairs, monthly meetings, and probably best-known, the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Though recognized for highly visible musical events, PFS has a larger mission to spread an appreciation and enjoyment of music to young people. The Odyssey of American Folk Music program was founded in 1974 with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This unique outreach program places outstanding folk performers, free of charge, into classrooms and assemblies in public, parochial and private schools throughout the area. With many school districts facing historic budget cuts, the first line item to be slashed is providing music and art to students, making the work of the Odyssey Program more essential than ever before. If students do not experience music in the schools, they miss the opportunity to participate in our shared cultural heritage and national history expressed through song. Please consider supporting the mission of the Odyssey Program and the Philadelphia Folksong Society. Visit www.pfs.org to learn more. Also, if you are like thousands of music lovers on the East Coast you head for Upper Salford Township near the bucolic burg of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, for the Philadelphia Folk Festival August 17-20, 2017 at the Old Pool Farm. Call for more information, Call 215-247-1300 or visit ww.pfs.org/philadelphia-folk-festival. SUMMER 2017
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NOTEWORTHY
Family Owned Landscaping
P
lymouth Nursery & Landscape Co. has been family owned and operated since 1965. For over 40 years we have prided ourselves on attention to detail from the initial consultation to custom design, to expert installation, and we provide maintenance services to protect your landscape investment. Plymouth Nursery offers multiple services to streamline and enhance outdoor projects. Beginning with custom design, they will provide computer generated, full color, 3-D renderings to build patios, walls, walkways, gazebos, pergolas, firepits, fireplaces and lighting to create the ideal outdoor living space. They construct ponds and waterfalls that provide natural habitats for hummingbirds, butterflies & colorful fish that give life to the soothing sounds and sparkle water features provide. Plymouth Nursery & Landscape Company is located at 1043 Belvoir Rd., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. For information or a free consultation, call 610-277-4120 or visit www.plymouthnursery.com.
Whole House Air Cleaner
T
he F100 Whole-House Media Air Cleaner is up to 85% more efficient at capturing both microscopic particles like dust and smoke in addition to larger contaminants such as mold spores and pet dander. This highly effective air cleaner also requires minimal maintenance. Basically, once you install the filter you only need to replace it every 6-12 months. That’s four times longer than a standard one-inch furnace filter. Since 1972 C & C Heating and Air Conditioning has been servicing the Montgomery and Bucks County areas. Will and Catherine Cordero started the business. What began from humble beginnings of only four employees grew to over 65 today. In 1989 their son Douglas joined the business. Today, as Vice President he oversees the day to day operations. C & C has proudly served the Montgomery/Bucks areas. Please contact them for all your needs, whether they be heating, cooling, duct work, energy efficient thermostats, allergy filters, and humidifiers. We are here for all your comfort needs. C&C Heating & Air Conditioning is located at 800 Hagey Road, Souderton, PA 18964. For information concerning the Whole House Air Cleaner or any other comfort needs, call 215-799-0515; email tom@cc-hvac.com or visit www.cc-hvac.com.
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YOU’LL LOVE COMING HOME! The Difference is in the Design
CREATIVE
CONTRACTING
584 Woodford Road., North Wales, PA 215-661-8581 www.creativecontracting.biz
PA Reg. #0094
Summer 2017
Photos: Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board
What to do
Left: Pennypacker Mills, In the Good Old Summertime. Right: Pie Workshop at Mennonite Heritage Center.
AN T I QU ES Alderfer Auction June 14: Books, Ephemera, Stamps June 17: High Performance Auto Parts, Classic and Nostalgic Auto Auction June 22; September 28: Discovery Art June 29: Gallery/Estate Auction July 19-20, 22: Smallsea Museum Miniatures Collection 501 Fairgrounds Road, Hatfield, PA. 215-393-3000; www.alderferauction.com. Antique City June 16-17: Rows of booths feature varieties of antiques and collectibles. Primitives, decoys, pop culture, postcards, amusements, and more will be on display. Admission. Allentown Fairgrounds, 302 North
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17th Street, Allentown, PA. www.antiquecityshow.com. Renningers June 22-24; September 28-30: Antiques and Collectors Extravaganza Admission. Rain or shine. 740 Noble Street, Kutztown, PA. 570-385-0104; www.renningers.net. Das Awkscht Fescht August 4-6: This three-day antique and classic car show celebrates its 54th annual season. Admission includes all events, shows, and entertainment. Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, PA. 610-967-2317; www.awkscht.com
ANTIQUES
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ART
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CRAFTS
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ENTERTAINMENT
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EVENTS
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FAMILY
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GARDENS
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HISTORY
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NATURE
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AR T Brandywine River Museum of Art Through September 10: New Terrains: American Paintings from the Richard M. Scaife Bequest June 24-September 17: Andrew Wyeth: In Retrospect 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, PA. 610-388-2700; www.brandywine.org.
DEAR GARDEN ASSOCIATES, INC.
DISTINCTIVE DESIGN, INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE
Philadelphia Museum of Art Through September 6: Witness: Reality and Imagination in the Prints of Francisco Goya Through December 3: Marcel Duchamp and the Fountain Scandal June 27-September 17: Wild: Michael Nichols September 10-December 10: Philadelphia Assembled 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA. 215-763-8100; www.philamuseum.org. James A. Michener Art Museum Through June 25: Light & Matter: The Photographic Object Through July 9: Charles Sheeler: Fashion, Photography, and Structural Form Through August 27: Myths & Nature: Early Prints by Sam Maitin Through October 8: Highlights from the New Hope-Solebury School District Art Collection July 8-January 7: Dedicated, Displayed, Discovered: Celebrating the Region’s School Art Collections July 29-December 31: George Sotter: Light and Shadow 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA. 215-340-9800; www.michenermuseum.org. Wayne Art Center Through June 24: Plein Air 2017 Through June 30: Reflections Thru the Lens July 17-August 18: Student Works 2017 September 10-October 7: ARTsisters Exhibition September 10-October 7: Faculty Show 2017 413 Maplewood Avenue, Wayne, PA. 610-688-3553; www.wayneart.org. Main Line Art Center June 16-July 17: Fonda Hartman: Stretching the Imagination September 9-23: Teaching Artist
Bill Dear, Horticulturist • 215.766.8110 PA • 609.919.0050 NJ www.deargarden.com PA LIC #PA063572 - NJ LIC #13VH05607800 SUMMER 2017
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Fairgrounds, Route 222 between Allentown and Reading, Kutztown, PA. 888-6746136; www.kutztownfestival.com.
Fam mily Owned and Operatedd since 1973
SAVE up to 40% %
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center July 23-26: Philadelphia Gift Show September 15-18: Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA. 484-754EXPO; www.phillyexpocenter.com. Pennsylvania Guild of Fine Craftsmen Fairs July 29-30: Fine Craft at the Chase Center October 13-15: Rittenhouse Square Show Admission. 717-431-8706; www.pacrafts.org.
EN T ER TAI N MEN T
Ask About Ou ur Air Cleaning Systems S to Help p Relieve Allergie es Realize e Greater Heating $LU &RQGLWLRQLQJ (ϒFLHQF\ Installation & Service S on All Majo or Brands Heat Pumps • Air Conditioning • G Gas Oil Heating Systems • +XPLGL¿HUV On Site Sheet Metal Shop • Air Clea aners Installations • Sales • Service Maintenanc ce Contracts
Free Estimates On New In nstalls Fast Emergency Service 215-799-0515-T TOLL FREE 1-800-5 564-3382 ww ww.cc.hvac.com Exhibition 2017 746 Panmure Road, Haverford, PA. 610-525-0272; www.mainlineart.org. The Barnes Foundation June 30-October 2: Mohamed Bourouissa: Urban Riders 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, 215-278-7000; 300 North Latch’s Lane, Merion, PA, 215-2787350. www.barnesfoundation.org.
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C R AF T S 68th Annual Kutztown Folk Festival July 1-9: This festival is the oldest folk life festival in America. Celebrating the Pennsylvania Dutch culture, the event features traditional craft demonstrations by juried American craftsmen, the largest quilt sale in the nation, children’s activities, homemade food, historical reenactments, antiques, and live music. Kutztown
Steel River Playhouse Through June 11: Disney’s The Little Mermaid July-August: Summer Camp 2017 245 East High Street, Pottstown, PA. 610-970-1199; www.steelriver.org. Act II Playhouse Through June 18: Brighton Beach Memoirs August 29-September 24: Which Reminds Me 56 East Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA. 215-654-0200; www.act2.org. Playcrafters of Skippack June 1-17: Denial June 30-July 2: Skippack Music and Arts Festival July 13-29: Urinetown August 17-September 2: Snake in the Grass 2011 Store Road, Skippack, PA. 610-584-4005; www.playcrafters.org. Montgomery Theater June 1-25: The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? July 5-16: On The Road Again September 14-October 8: The Gin Game 124 Main Street, Souderton, PA. 215-7239984; www.montgomerytheater.org. Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival June 2-August 5: The Ice Princess June 14-July 2: Evita June 21-July 16: The Hound of the
Baskervilles July 12-August 6: The Three Musketeers July 20-August 6: As You Like It July 26-August 5: Shakespeare for Kids July 26-August 6: Troilus and Cressida De Sales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA. 610-282-WILL; www.pashakespeare.org. People’s Light & Theatre June 7-July 9: Project Dawn July 19-August 13: Moon Over Buffalo 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA. 610644-3500; www.peopleslight.org.
Family Owned & Operated Since 1950
Dutch Country Players June 9-24: The Dixie Swim Club July 28-August 12: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance September 15-30: The Last 5 Years 795 Ridge Road, Telford, PA. 215-234-0966; www.dcptheatre.com. The Village Players of Hatboro June 9-24: Sex Please, We’re Sixty August 4-12: Epic Proportions 401 Jefferson Avenue, Hatboro, PA. 215675-6774; www.thevillageplayers.com. Wolf Performing Arts Center June 16-18: Pippin 1240 Montrose Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA. 610-642-0233; www.wolfperformingartscenter.org. Mitchell Performing Arts Center June 20-30: The Lion King Jr. 800 Tomlinson Road, Bryn Athyn, PA. 267502-2793; www.mitchellcenter.info. Keswick Theatre June 21: Happy Together Tour 2017 August 25: Stephen Stills & Judy Collins 291 North Keswick Avenue, Glenside, PA. 215-572-7650; www.keswicktheatre.com.
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Abram W. Bergey & Sons, Inc. Carpets & Flooring & Countertops 311 South Main St. Harleysville, PA, 19438 ‡ ZZZ EHUJH\à RRULQJ FRP Hours: Monday-Tuesday 9am-5pm • Wednesday & Thursday 9am-8pm Friday 9am-6pm • Saturday 9am-2pm
Bucks County Playhouse June 23-July 15: The Nerd July 21-August 12: Guys and Dolls August 17-September 2: Other Desert Cities 70 South Main Street, New Hope, PA. 215-862-2121; www.bcptheater.org.
Methacton Community Theater July 14-23: Disney’s The Little Mermaid Shannondell Performing Arts Theater, 10000 Shannondell Boulevard, Audubon, PA. 610-489-6449; www.methactoncommunitytheater.org.
The Colonial Theatre July 14-16: Blobfest 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA. 610917-1228; www.thecolonialtheatre.com.
Musikfest 2017 August 4-13: This popular festival returns to Bethlehem and includes music on several stages, arts and crafts vendors, and con-
cessions. Performers for this year include Santana, Chicago, Toby Keith, and Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson. Admission. Bethlehem, PA. 610-332-1300; www.musikfest.org.
EVEN T S Ambler Main Street Ongoing: First Fridays Through October: Ambler Farmers Market SUMMER 2017
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June 16: Ambler Arts & Music Festival August 5: Dog Days of Ambler August 19: Annual Ambler Bike Race Ambler, PA. 215-646-1000; www.amblermainstreet.org. Events in Lansdale Through October: Lansdale Farmers’ Market Through November: First Friday June 17: Under the Lights Car Show June 24: Beer Tasting Festival August 26: Founders Day September 9: Bike Night September 16: Lansdale Cruise Night Lansdale, PA. www.lansdale.org. Skippack Village Through October: First Friday June 18: Continental Car Show & Motorcycle Competition June 24; July 8; August 5; September 2: Trash to Treasure Sale June 25; July 23; August 27: Cars & Cigars July 4: Parade & Fireworks September 2-3: Sidewalk Sale Skippack, PA. www.bestofskippack.com.
Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines June 17: Family Fun Day 1710 Ridge Road, Pottstown, PA. 10-469-0533; www.ryerssfarm.org. Mount Hope Estate & Winery June 24-25: Celtic Fling & Highland Games July 15: Blues & Brews August-October: Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire 2775 Lebanon Road, Manheim, PA. www.parenfaire.com. Peddler’s Village July 2: Red, White, and Blue BBQ Bash July 15-16: Bluegrass & Blueberries August 12-13: Peach Festival & Sidewalk Sale September 11-October 29: Scarecrow Competition & Display September 16-17: Scarecrow Festival Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, PA. 215794-4000; www.peddlersvillage.com. Annual Pennridge Community Day July 9: This annual fun-packed day begins with awards ceremonies and flag raising.
The day also features food vendors, pony rides, children’s activities, live entertainment, games, parades, and amusement rides. 12 to 6 p.m. Rain date July 16. Lenape Park, Route 152, Perkasie, PA. www.pennridgecommunityday.org. Chestnut Hill Events July 9: Petapalooza October 21: Harry Potter Festival and Brotherly Love Cup Tournament Chestnut Hill Visitor’s Center, 16 East Highland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. 215-2476696; www.chestnuthillpa.com. Quakertown Alive July 9: Garden Affaires: Garden Tour & Marketplace August 19: Upper Bucks Brewfest Quakertown, PA. 215-536-2273; www.quakertownalive.com. Under the Stars Car Show August 19: Featuring antique, classic, and custom cars, this annual show offers great summertime fun. There also will be live music and lots of food. Perkasie, PA. www.perkasieborough.org.
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Ukrainian Folk Festival August 27: Enjoy a day of food, music, dancing, arts, and crafts. There also will be a vendors’ grove. 12 to 8 p.m. Admission. Ukrainian American Sport Center, County Line and Lower State Roads, Horsham, PA. www.tryzub.org.
Landscape Design
FAMI LY Adventure Aquarium Ongoing: Come with your family and explore the aquarium, complete with a KidZone, shark tunnel, free live shows, a shark tunnel, and Shark Bridge. Admission. 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ. 865-3653300; www.adventureaquarium.com. Merrymead Farm Ongoing: Cow milking 3:30-6:30 p.m. July: National Ice Cream Month August: Mum Arrival September: Merrymead Harvest Days 2222 South Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA. 610-584-4410; www.merrymead.com. Philadelphia Zoo Ongoing: Visit the nation’s first zoo, complete with over 1,000 animals, many of them endangered or rare. 3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. 215-243-5254; www.philadelphiazoo.org. The Franklin Institute Through September 4: Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA. 215-448-1200; www2.fi.edu. Linvilla Orchards June 24: Raspberry Celebration July 8: Blueberry Festival July 22: Sweet Corn and Blackberry Celebration August 12: Peach Festival August 26: Tomato Celebration September 9: Pumpkinland Opens September 16-17: Arts and Music Festival 137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA. 610-876-7116; www.linvilla.com. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University July-August: Academy Explorers Summer Camp
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August 12-13: Bug Fest Admission. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA. 215-299-1000; www.ansp.org.
Don’t miss The Bartram Nursery, complete with native plants and those discovered by the Bartram family. 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA. 215729-5281; www.bartramsgarden.org.
G AR D EN S Bartram’s Garden Ongoing: Visit this National Historic Landmark and House, circa 1728. The grounds are free and open to the public. Guided tours are available of both the historic garden, as well as the Bartram family home.
Chanticleer Ongoing: A 35-acre pleasure garden open to the public. The garden is a study of textures and forms, where foliage trumps flowers, the gardeners lead the design, and even the drinking fountains are sculptural. Educational programs are offered year
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round. 786 Church Road, Wayne, PA. 610-687-4163; www.chanticleergarden.org. Tyler Arboretum Ongoing: One of the oldest and largest arboreta in the Northeast, this year-round destination has 650 contiguous acres and 20 miles of hiking trails. The Arboretum’s collections include rare plant specimens, ancient trees, and historic buildings. Educational programs are offered year round. 515 Painter Road, Media, PA. 610-5669134; www.tylerarboretum.org. Mt. Cuba Center Through November: The Mt.Cuba Center is situated on 600 acres. Its woodland wildflower gardens are recognized as the region’s finest. Guided docent tours are available by reservation. Special events are scheduled regularly. Admission. 3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE. 302-2394244; www.mtcubacenter.org.
The Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania Through October: Early Bird Saturdays and Sundays Through October 9: Morris Arboretum in Motion June 18: Grist Mill Demonstration Day at Bloomfield Farm June 24: Hidden Gems at Morris Arboretum July 1-9: Circus Week at the Garden Railway July 12: Romeo and Juliet July 15-16: Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Weekends Admission. 100 East Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. 215-247-5777; www.morrisarboretum.org. Longwood Gardens Through September 30: Summer of Spectacle July 8: Daylily Show September 23-24: Garden Club Federation of PA Flower Show Admission. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA. 610-388-1000; www.longwoodgardens.org.
Winterthur June-September: Estate Tours June-October: Story Time in Enchanted Woods June-November: Family Nature Walks Admission. 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE. 302-888-4600; www.winterthur.org. Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens June 17: Delaware Valley Japanese Iris Show July 15: Delaware Valley Iris Sale August 26: Daylily Annual Public Sale 631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon, PA. 610647-8870; www.jenkinsarboretum.org. The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College July 21: Woody Plant Conference August 30: Evening Highlight Tour September 16-17: Selections Fall Sale Admission. 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA. 610-328-8025; www.scottarboretum.org.
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HI STO RY Bryn Athyn Historic District June 20: Landmarks in Lights (Glencairn, Cairnwood, Bryn Athyn) Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, PA. www.bahistoricdistrict.org. Daniel Boone Homestead July 1: Independence Day Celebration July 17-21: History Day Camp September 21-23: Oley Fair September 30: Heritage Day 400 Daniel Boone Road, Birdsboro, PA. 610-582-4900; www.danielboonehomestead.org. Fonthill Castle Ongoing: Tower Tours for Families July 4: Fonthill’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration August 26: Fonthill Castle Beer Fest East Court Street and Route 313, Doylestown, PA. 215-348 Historic Craven Hall & The John Fitch Steamboat Museum Ongoing: House and John Fitch Steamboat
Museum Tours Street and Newtown Roads, Warminster, PA. 215-675-4698; www.craven-hall.org. Hope Lodge Ongoing: Guided Mansion Tours June 29: Summer Evening Guided Mansion & Garden Tour July 19: Summer Evening Guided Mansion & Barn Tour 553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, PA. 215-646-1595; www.historichopelodge.org. Graeme Park August 17: Happy Hour with the Historian June 18; July 16; August 20; September 17: Living History Sunday September 14: Life in William Penn’s Woods September 15: An Evening with the Graemes Admission. 859 County Line Road, Horsham, PA. 215-343-0965; www.graemepark.org. Mennonite Heritage Center June 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25: Traditional
Oil Painting Workshop July 8: Paper Marbling Workshop July 15: Pie Workshop July 20-22, 25-27: Used Book Sale September 17: Hymn Sing 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA. 215256-3020; www.mhep.org. Morgan Log House June 18: Dice, Dominoes, and Dealing August 1-5: Summer Camp September 16: Annual Tavern Night 850 Weikel Road, Kulpsville, PA. 215-3682480; www.morganloghouse.org. Pearl S. Buck House Ongoing: Discover the Legacy Tours June 25-26: Pearl Buck’s Birthday Celebration 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA. 215-249-0100; www.psbi.org. Pennypacker Mills June 25: Vintage Baseball July 15; August 12, 19: Fun in the 1900s History Center July 16: Victorian Tea: Here’s Mark Twain
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August 5: In the Good Old Summertime 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA. 610-287-9349; www.montcopa.org/pennypackermills.
Summer Show September 23: Heemet Fescht 22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, PA. 610683-1589; www.kutztown.edu.
Peter Wentz Farmstead June 26-30: Colonial Camp 2017 2030 Shearer Road, Worcester, PA. 610584-5104; www.peterwentzfarmsteadsociety.org.
Washington Crossing Historic Park July 29: Wine on the Waterfront Washington Crossing, PA. 215-493-4076; www.washingtoncrossingpark.org.
Valley Forge National Historical Park July 4: Community Picnic in the Park September 30: National Public Lands Day 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA. 610-783-1099; www.valleyforge.org. Pottsgrove Manor July 22: Living History: Jack of All Trades 100 West King Street, Pottstown, PA. 610-326-4014; www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center July 24-28: Children’s Cultural Camp August 12-13: Old Time Plow Boys Late
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Annual Goschenhoppen Folk Festival August 11-12: The festival showcases the trades and home skills of the Pennsylvania Dutch in the 18th and 19th centuries. Over 500 costumed volunteers recreate kitchens, parlors, trade shops, and itinerants to bring to life the hands-on skills from the past. Green Lane, PA. 215-234-8953; www.goschenhoppen.org. Annual Tour of Saucon Valley Barns September 9: Join the Saucon Valley Conservancy for their special tour of historic area barns. Ad-vanced registration is suggested. Hellertown, PA. 610-838-1199; www.sauconvalleyconservancy.org.
N AT U R E Bucks County Covered Bridge Tour Ongoing: The Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau and the Bucks County Covered Bridge Society present this self-guided tour of Bucks County’s covered bridges. The tour begins at Washington Crossing Historic Park. The 90-mile tour makes a large circle through Bucks County and is designed so that travelers can start at any one of the bridges. GPS coordinates are given for each of the bridges. Pick up a copy of the brochure Visit the Historic Covered Bridges of Bucks County at locations throughout Bucks County. www.visitbuckscounty.com; www.buckscountycbs.org. John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove Ongoing: Saturday Morning Bird Walks 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA. 610666-5593; www.johnjames.audubon.org. The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education Ongoing: Come to one of the country’s first urban environmental education centers.
Visitors can study, discover, and explore nature through their various programs. 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA. 215482-7300; www.schuylkillcenter.org. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Through October: Guided Wildflower Walks June-July: Nature Adventure Summer Camps June-August: Children’s Summer Reading 1635 River Road, New Hope, PA. 215-862-2924; www.bhwp.org. Briar Bush Nature Center June-August: Summer Camps 1212 Edgehill Road, Abington, PA. 215-887-6603; www.briarbush.org. Lock 60 at Schuylkill Canal Park June 25: Annual Canal Day 400 Towpath Road, Mont Clare, PA. 610-917-0021; www.montcopa.org. Green Lane Park July 9: Romeo & Juliet August 6: The Kategory 5 Band September 30: Upper Perkiomen Bird and Wildlife Festival
2144 Snyder Road, Green Lane, PA. 215-234-4528; www.montcopa.org. Upper Schuylkill Valley Park June 24: Reptile and Amphibian Jubilee 1615 Black Rock Road, Royersford, PA. 610-948-5170; www.montcopa.org. Norristown Farm Park July 10-14: Junior Naturalist Camp 2500 Upper Farm Road, East Norriton, PA. 610-270-0215; www.montcopa.org. Lorimer Park July 17-21: Junior Naturalist Camp 183 Moredon Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA. 215-947-3477; www.montcopa.org. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary August 12-September 24: Locations Art Show by Bryan Fellenbaum August 15-December 15: Autumn Hawk Watch 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA. 610-756-6961; www.hawkmountain.org.
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Painting: Susan Klinger
Art
S Susan Klinger
Susan Klinger is always observing, looking for a familiar scene that is overlooked - by John Cella
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Susan Klinger is a master of chiaroscuro, the Italian word for light and shadow. Her creations are intimate landscape paintings which often focus in on a small aspect of a familiar scene, such as water splashing over rocks or reflections in a harbor. This technique was used most notably by Rembrandt and Caravaggio to create the illusion of a light from a specific source shining on figures and objects. “I still remember the moment I saw a painting by Jane Hofstetter that grabbed me from across the room. The heightened contrast in a painting can draw you in even before you are fully aware of what you are actually looking at. It’s the paintings values that strike you first, the patterns of light and dark, not the details and colors. It can make a painting seem three dimensional,” Susan explains. I stand in Schang Hai Gallery in Creamery, close to Skippack, surrounded by her paintings of vivid contrast and color. A brief time later I’ve learned not only about chiaroscuro but about Notan, a Japanese design concept for creating composition in art. But why am I surprised? Susan was an art teacher at Perkiomen Valley High School in Collegeville for 34 years and served as the chairperson of the fine arts department for 14 years. She was also an instructor in
drawing and painting for both Montgomery County Community and Cabrini colleges. The gallery was hosting a show of her work called Reflection, in which all her paintings showed reflections in water or glass. “I didn’t plan this”, she laughs. “As I chose my art for this show I realized that I had painted reflective surfaces far more than I realized. I really like capturing the distortion and movement in water.” While her subject matter is diverse and includes still lifes, florals, animals, and even abstracts, she is most drawn to realistic nature scenes and uses primarily soft pastels. Solomon’s Island Sunrise, which was featured in this show is stunning. An 18-inch by 13-inch image, boats are docked as the reflection of the sunrise’s oranges and pinks and the green of the shoreline cast a beautiful color palette on the water. Susan points out the dark and contrasting bright patterns she utilized to create the painting’s heightened effect. “You can see the pastel strokes here,” she says. “I used a lot of dark blue and brown pastels here as well.” Susan, an attractive and personable woman, lives in East Norriton with her husband, Mike, a Systems Engineer and grew up in Collegeville. “My dad was an engineer too, but artistic. He could draw anything. Back then men just didn’t go to art school. I always liked to make things and do crafts. In 7th grade I was given an assignment to draw a still life and I still remember being amazed at how realistic and three dimensional it looked. From a young age I wanted to be an art teacher. But my dad wanted me to be an engineer because I was strong in math. You can see how that worked out”, she laughs. Jim McFarlane, a noted Montgomery County artist, was a major artistic influence on her art, first as her art teacher in high school and later as her teacher and mentor at Norristown Arts League. “My students at Perkiomen Valley High asked me to
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teach them to paint in watercolors, which at that time was not really my specialty. So I contacted Jim for guidance and I stayed in his class for many years. He is a master of realism, very Wyeth-like. But eventually I had to break away from him and find out what worked for me as an artist.” A signature member of the Pastel Society of America, Susan now works primarily in soft pastels as they allow her to be more expressive and bold with color. “I took a plein air class and it was a very hot day. I just couldn’t paint anything I was happy with. So I started to use pastels and something
Any pastel dust is
collected on a pallet with drops of water and mixed with a
palette knife to make her own pastels.
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just clicked. I even sold a painting right away.” Soft pastels have a binder that holds the pigment together in stick form. “There is no brush. I am actually applying pigment to the canvas with my hand. It is so very tactile.” Cocoanut Palm II, 24-inch by 15inch, is so realistic and seemingly threedimensional it seems one can reach out and pick one of the three coconuts. The colors are vibrant—the cool green and brown of the coconuts, the green palm fronds and the dark blue and burgundy trunk of the palm tree peeling away are made even more vivid by the pale blue and white of the sky. “I painted this from a photograph”, she tells me. “I pre-painted the canvas with a dark watercolor in order to achieve the dark
blue and burgundy pastel colors. I look at the photo I am working from, and plan the location of the major darks and lights in a piece.” As a student of the Japanese concept of Notan, she sees shapes of light and dark rather than following traditional compositional rules. “Stepping back and squinting at the painting helps to disregard details and see patterns of light and dark shapes. Opposite colors create ‘visual vibration’,” she tells me. She points out to me the shadow that follows the curves of the coconuts and spirals inward to the deepest tones. Any pastel dust is collected on a pallet with drops of water and mixed with a palette knife to make her own pastels. Little flecks of underlying color appear because of this approach and a viewer is not even aware of this. An artist to the core, Susan is always observing, looking for a familiar scene that is overlooked. She admits that while she was sitting with me at Mal’s Diner in Skippack, she was studying the gumball machine and the classic diner stools and thinking about using them in a painting. “You must see art live, to have a sense of the light, the colors playing off of each other. You just don’t see the sparkle of the pastel in a magazine, the light hitting the particles at different angles!” she says emphatically. Her work is always being exhibited in shows throughout the mid-Atlantic region, with regular displays at Farmhouse Restaurant as well as Off The Wall Gallery in Skippack. She also does commissioned works including portraits of beloved pets. She produces a newsletter which provides an insider look at art for the general public which can be accessed on her website, www.susanklinger.com, where her paintings are available for purchase. But don’t just look at her art on line. Take her advice and mine—see it live. John Cella is a freelance writer from Montgomery County.
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In The Garden
Pots With Personality Container gardening with its easy mobility provides a way to brighten up any area of your garden -by Lori Rose
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C
Container gardening is the perfect way to add color and create focal points around the yard. Because they’re portable, you can place containers anywhere in your garden that could use some brightening up. Choose a variety of container sizes and shapes, and get creative with the actual plants. Tired of planting red geraniums with a spike in the middle of your summer containers? Fear not – there are all sorts of bright and new ideas for container planting, simple to create and guaranteed to elicit Wow. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a vertical accent right in the middle of a round container. Sure, go ahead and plant that spiky plant, but try it to the side instead of dead center. Your container will look more interesting. Try planting two different spikes together at one end of the pot. Or choose a tall plant with completely different attributes, like striking
purple or fern-like foliage. Grassyleaved plants are great for containers, and give the added bonus of seed heads in late summer or fall that gently wave in the breeze. Add one or two vining plants such as sweet potato vine, creeping Jenny, or calibrachoa (they look like tiny petunias) that will tumble softly over the edge of the pot. An attractive container will combine a variety of flower colors, plant shapes, and foliage color and texture. These don't have to match one another – the most exciting containers have a harmony of variety. Think orange and magenta clash? Well, yes, they do, but you'll be amazed at how fabulous a plain terra cotta or concrete container can look filled with a tall orange-leafed coleus surrounded by magenta impatiens and chartreuse creeping jenny. Wow in a pot. One of the most endearing attributes of a container planting is its mobility. Pots can be rotated, with showy containers coming to the forefront while plantings that are past their prime are hidden until they can be replanted. Groupings can be shuffled around, like rearranging furniture, for new looks. And if company's coming tomorrow and your containers are not at their best, it's easy to take out an under-performing plant and stick in a replacement that just happens to be in its full glory. The containers you choose are just as important as the plants for maximum impact. Choose a collection of differentsized pots that look good on their own, but also complement each other. A group of different-shaped pots is fun to look at. Combine the tall and slim with the round and fat or short and squat. How about containers of a different color? Try replacing terra cotta with verdigris, or white with glazed cobalt blue. Outdoor pots can be landscaped just like the rest of your yard. Arrange the pots at different heights to produce a layered effect that shows each plant
One of the most
endearing attributes
of a container planting is its mobility.
to its advantage. Place pots of plants, whether alone or in combinations, among the flowers or shrubs in a bed for a touch of zing. A blue pot can help cool off hot color combos like orange, yellow and red. Green pots look great with delicate pink flowers. How about three seasons of containers? Start spring with a container of evergreens and some pansies, then move on to petunias, cannas and lan-
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tanas-anything that likes heat, and finally fall plants like mums, asters and cabbages. Try mixing and matching perennials, annuals and even small shrubs to get the most versatility and longevity out of your containers. You can combine textures with some broad sculptural leaves, variegated foliage, and deeply lobed leaf shapes. Using varying forms will help your plants stand out instead of blending together in an indistinguishable mass.
Shady container
plants can be just as J E N N IF E RH A N S E NR OLL I BUCKS MAGAZINE COVER ARTIST
ROUTE 2O2 HOLICONG PA 215-794-43OO silvermangallery.com
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colorful as sunny
ones by selecting
shade-loving flowers and colorful foliage.
Edibles in containers are big now and rightly so. Leafy crops like curly parsley, colorful kale and lettuces have gorgeous foliage, and it is a great way to grow veggies if you have limited space. Herbs like sage, thyme and basil also make great container plantings. Note if your container will spend the day in sunlight, partial shade, or mostly shade. Make sure plants that will be in the same container have similar sunlight and water requirements. Read the plant tags as you make your choices. Shady container plants can be just as colorful as sunny ones by selecting shade-loving flowers and colorful foliage. Potted plants need good drainage and nutrients to thrive. Good quality organic potting mix is critical for the health of plants that will be sitting in the container for months. Try an organic potting mix with added fertilizer to give container plants a consistent boost so they can bloom all season long.
When planting in containers, first plant the central upright plant, the tallest one. It doesn't have to be in the center – try it in the back or towards one side of the pot. Position low trailers and cascading plants around the edge. Then tuck in mid-level plants, sweeping around and rising to greet the tallest plant, the vertical accent. Water thoroughly, avoiding flowers and leaves. Add more soil after it has settled, then water again. Commit to watering your contain-
Then tuck in mid-level plants, sweeping
around and rising to
greet the tallest plant, the vertical accent.
ers once a day, maybe even twice during the heat of the summer. When the soil surface is dry but before the plants begin to wilt, water slowly and thoroughly, until water runs out of the bottom of the pot. Water in the early morning or late afternoon, so the foliage will be dry during the night. This will help prevent diseases and water-spotted leaves. It will also give your plants the vigor they need to stand up to the mid-day heat. Get some beautiful containers this summer. Choose flowers in colors you've never used before. Choose plants with variegated or unique colored foliage. Try huge, bold leaves, tiny round leaves, or thin, hair-like leaves. Look for interesting plants that are attractive on their own, then combine them in a pot and watch them take on a new dimension. Lori Rose owns and operates The Midnight Gardener, dedicated to residential garden maintenance and garden writing, in Bucks County, PA.
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J
John Duffy, owner of Stable Tables, says, “I worked for several years in telecommunications. I traveled the world and was responsible for a lot of people, but got burned out. So, I left.” Since he had grown up in Chestnut Hill, he returned to the Philadelphia area in 2001. “I partnered with my friend Chris English, a carpenter by trade. We went into the real estate business—buying, fixing up and selling houses.” When John first returned, he noticed some friends had neat farm tables made from reclaimed wood. He found out they had bought them on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Because he liked the tables, he made a trip there to purchase one. It took over three months before he could pick it up. He suddenly realized that if he and his friends would drive to Maryland to buy tables, then wait that long to have their orders filled, maybe there was an opportunity here. He asked Chris to show him how to make a farm table, saying, “I didn’t do much with the tables while
the real estate business was going well. However, in the fall of 2006, I could see things were changing. So, I began making tables.” He’s been creating one-ofa-kind tables and benches ever since. Stable Tables is a three-man operation, with a couple of part timers when needed. Along with John, there’s Evan and Roger, who have been there for over 10 years. John built a three-car garage behind his house. This 1,000square-foot structure is their workshop. The larger tools are a 26-inch thickness planer and a table saw with extensions. They also have a chop saw and a radial arm saw. Much of their work is done by hand with sanders. They use disc, oscillating (vibrating) and straight line sanders. When they begin sanding a rough piece of wood, a reclaimed plank or a piece that previously was finished, the grit is a coarse 40. From this, they move to 80 and finally finish with 120 grit. When they’re applying a finish, 220 grit is used between coats. “When an interested couple comes in, I ask several questions before we talk about tables. I want to know what they will use it for. How often will they need a large table, if that’s what they had in mind?” John says, “If they want a large table for holiday gatherings, what are they going to use if for the rest of the year.” After he understands how it will be used, he asks questions such as whether they want reclaimed or fresh wood. “A lot of our clients like the idea of using salvaged lumber to keep it out of a land fill. Also, recycled wood has a history. It came from an old barn, early 19th-century house or now defunct factory,” he explains. Most of their lumber is stored in two out-buildings, while some is in the shop. When possible, all of the boards from a single log are kept together. That way, if they’re building more than one table for a customer, the wood will have the same color and grain. Along with reclaimed wood, they use a lot of wal-
nut, ash and white oak, some with its natural or flitch edge which they incorporate into the design. A few of their log-cut planks have flaws caused by insects, disease or fungi. These imperfections are left in place. Since the wood is kiln dried, any insect or disease is destroyed in the process. Often, if there’s an opening that will work, John seals the hole from the bottom, and then fills it to within about a half inch from the top surface. He then fills the rest with a two-part blue epoxy. Once this has dried, he removes the bottom seal and filler. What remains is the impression of a small lake in the plank. At other times, he cuts through a top, about a quarter inch
Once the table
surface has been
sanded and is ready
to finish, they decide whether or
not to stain. deep, and fills that with blue epoxy. “Some people really like it because it looks like a river running through the wood,” he says. If they have to glue two or more planks together for width, they use a Kreg jig and glue. The jig allows the woodworker to drill through one plank into the next on an angle. When the two are connected, the screws pull them tightly together. “This is faster and stronger than biscuits,” Roger says. When asked if they make extension tables, John replies, “Not the kind that pull apart for leaves. I can design a table with flat ends that we can make longer with end add-ons.” These exten-
sions can be added using one or both. Along with traditional wooden trestle and sawbuck bases, John uses a lot of recycled iron. The legs from old machinery and other implements are converted to table legs. An interesting base is created from the grinders of mulching machines. Once the grinders have become dull, they can be re-purposed as unusual table bases. Some of the metal is treated with an acid that oxidizes it. Once it has the patina they want, the acid is washed away. It then gets a coat of clear finish, while some of their other metal bases are painted, usually black. Once the table surface has been sanded and is ready to finish, they decide whether or not to stain. Most wood is left natural. However, if a stain is used, it’s an oil-based product. The next coat to be applied is Duraseal which seals the surface. After this, they often add a coat of shellac as a further seal. Once they’ve sanded with 220 grit sandpaper, the surface gets three coats of polyurethane. After each coat has dried, it is carefully sanded with fine grit paper. When asked about wax, John answers, “When we’re finished with a surface, it doesn’t need wax. The top will be able to handle nearly anything.” John explains that much of his business is repeat and referrals. “We do a lot of commercial work for restaurants, churches and conference tables for businesses. Also, we work with a chain of movie theaters that use our tables in their lobbies.” He adds, “Although most of our business comes from within about a 20-mile radius, we’ve made tables for clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, Texas, California and even Hawaii.” For more information about his tables, call 215-266-8644 or visit www.stabletables.net. Lew Larason is a freelance writer who specializes in antiques and furniture. SUMMER 2017
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An Endless Flow of Earthy Delights Taking their cue from Southern and Mediterranean architecture and design, John and Purusha have built a home using earthy and natural colors and materials by Beth S. Buxbaum
Tucked away on a private cul-de-sac surrounded by a 33acre reserve, this custom-built home is in the Leopard Lakes neighborhood of Berwyn. Built by John and Purusha Mostoller in 2008, it was their first home together. With the resources and creativity of John's knowledge as a developer and Purusha's sense of style as an interior designer, their home was a collaborative project. Tapping into a shared vision inspired by architectural and interior designs they experienced during their travels, this home is a blending of natural materials and dramatic design concepts. John and Purusha shared their vision with Rene Hoffman, the architect they worked with to build their cus-
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One architectural detail designed throughout the interior is the use of archways.
Opposite, designed with a twostory sloped ceiling, the living
room's unique design element is the custom pine trusses adding
drama and detail to the 10-foot
ceiling. A floor-to-ceiling Mumford fireplace, in ledge rock, sits between the arches. Above the
trusses are double Juliet bal-
conies. Below, is the recreation
room filled with an array of amenities for gathering and entertain-
ing. The space was designed with a fully-equipped bar, an antique
Arts & Crafts style pool table and a theater with multiple seating
areas with electric reclining seats.
tom home. A little non-traditional and quite unique in its styling, this home is unconventional in its exterior and interior style. “In designing and accenting our home, the intent was to create a relaxed, informal feel,” Purusha explains. Emphasizing its location in a lake community, Purusha describes how they conceptualized its earthy, rich earth-toned elements. Enhanced by the natural landscape, this home's interior is an extension of what is outside its doors and windows. Created with all the elements of nature, the living space overflows with stone walls and archways, hardwood floors, rich paneled walls, limestone floors, wood ceiling beams, and wood trusses. From any spot in the house the view inside and outside is expansive through the arched entryways and large windows. Architectural elements create a sense of flow with an open and airy interior feel. Arched entranceways direct your eye and your movement from one room to the next. John and Purusha were influenced not only by the vision of defining their home by what is beyond the interior, but also adding architectural touches from other areas in the states where they enjoy traveling. Favorite spots for them include Nashville, Aspen and North Carolina. “What we enjoyed about the southern architecture is that it is heavy in detail using various materials such as stone, brick, and hardwood,” Purusha adds. Many of the custom homes they have seen in their travels, or in photos they have collected, use more color and natural materials to create expansive and inviting spaces. “We find them architecturally pleasing to the eye,” Purusha adds. “In addition to a southern influence, there is also a Mediterranean infusion. Our goal was to have a relaxed, infor-
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mal feel,” she continues, “less urban and more casual.” Part of the attraction to this southern or Mediterranean styling is the open and airy spaces. “We do a lot of entertaining,” Purusha adds, “and wanted our home to be more conducive to gathering.” Sweeping archways, tall windows and high ceilings were blended to sharpen their vision. This home's living space captures the essence of rich and woodsy. A flow has been orchestrated with the architectural elements and the interior accents to bring the outside in, with interior and exterior spaces overflowing into each other. They conceptualized their footprint taking cues from the location and placement of the property. The house is in a lake community, on a very private lot, surrounded by towering trees. “I try to incorporate nature and the natural environment in all my designs,” Purusha describes. Together they accomplished this design with rich wood tones and dramatic architectural motifs. Beginning with the entrance, the interior opens with arched iron doors to an expansive, two-story foyer. A variety of wood tones in the trim, doors and furnishings, punctuate the entry. To complement the richness of the wood tones, the walls and limestone tile floor are a muted sand color. “In this space we added a custom marble inlay to incorporate the color palette of the home,” Purusha adds. Architecturally enhanced by the sweeping staircase, with a custom iron stair railing, this entry introduces several of the interior spaces. On the right is a two-story office with paneled walls, built-ins and a gas fireplace. This room is embellished with a Knotty Walnut floor and custom Knotty Alder French doors. “The French doors have custom door handles from Rock Mountain Hardware and include a leather backplate in a finish similar to the walls,” she adds. For Purusha, interior touches are all about the details. One architectural detail designed throughout the interior is the use of archways. With the entry as the starting point of this interior flow, the living space fans out to the sides
Right, in the master bath, double sinks on one side and a make-up area and
sink on the other are washed maple
with granite countertops.
Central to the space is a two-person
Bain Ultra tub with a porcelain tile
base and granite surround.
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Central to the space is a two-person Bain Ultra tub.
Natural elements are on display in the Tuscaninspired kitchen. Above, an infusion of rich wood tones and a variety of materials are on display in the Tuscan-inspired kitchen, from the stone wall and tiled backsplash, to granite counter
tops and limestone floor. A two-tiered countertop and island were designed for extra counter space and easy entertaining. Through a stone archway is the breakfast room.
Opposite, the dining room is accented with a Knotty Walnut, Tigerwood inlay floor. A Lorts custom trestle dining table made with distressed oak, and against the wall is a Burl Cherrywood buffet. In the corner is an arched entrance to the butler's pantry.
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and center of the home. “We implemented this arch theme to create an expanded effect and a softer opening,” Purusha describes. She notes that these arches were created over entrances, windows and fireplaces as a recurring and repeated design element throughout the interior. Purusha explains that the arch motif gives the interior a flow and movement, as well as a softer line to counter all the deep, dark tones of the wood accents. Movement through the first floor is directed and enhanced by archways. Moving across the entry, opposite the office, are two large arched openings leading to the formal dining room. Dressed in a bold orange, the dining room is accented with a Knotty Walnut with a Tigerwood inlay floor. “The tiger wood was brought up from a mill in North Carolina,” Purusha adds, “and we blended the woods in the ceiling and floor together with the addition of dark beams and salmon stained bead board in the ceiling.” Central to this space is a Lorts custom trestle dining table in a distressed oak that easily accommodates ten people. Lining one wall is a Burl Cherrywood buffet by Hardin detailed with a leather insert side panel. Illuminating the space are two circular iron chandeliers in a rustic gold by Currey. An arched opening from the dining room leads into the butler's pantry, which also flows out from the kitchen. A fourth arch is prominent in the dining room's architectural details accented with iron doors opening out to the front wrap-around porch, providing the ability to extend a gathering. Continuing with the bold features and earthy tones, another archway directs the flow from the entry straight ahead into the rest of the living space. The interior flows through two large barrel-vaulted arches lead into the living room. Again, with attention to detail and theme repetition, Purusha notes that the two arched entries in the living room line up with
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Right, the first floor master suite has high ceilings and a gas fire-
place. A sitting area is designed
with three window walls afford-
ing views of the back deck and
panoramic views of the land-
scape. Opposite bottom, a charm-
ing space for their little girl’s
bedroom, painted mint green,
this room is appointed with crisp white furnishings. The hand
painted walls with trees, flowers
and wild life were designed to
carry-out the theme of bringing
Through another archway is the expansive first floor master
the outdoors in.
the two arches on the front iron doors. Designed with a two-story sloped ceiling, this room is enhanced with a floor-to-ceiling stone Mumford fireplace, in ledge rock, that sits in between the arches. Above are custom pine trusses adding drama and detail to the 10-foot ceiling. “These trusses were craned into place by Amish tradesmen,” she adds. Purusha describes that special lighting was designed to light upward and highlight the trusses. Above the trusses, on the second level in this sweeping space, are Juliet balconies embellished with custom ironwork that enhance and accent the stone fireplace. Continuing with the infusion of rich wood tones and a variety of materials, natural elements are on display in the Tuscan-inspired kitchen. From the stone wall and tiled backsplash, to granite counter tops and limestone floor, this space incorporates an endless flow of earthy delights. A two-tiered countertop and island was designed for extra counter space and easy entertaining. This area is topped in a stardust granite and provides two sinks on either side of the counter. Both John and Purusha enjoy cooking and this design gives them lots of space and accessibility. Opposite this center counter
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area is the dual fuel Wolf range with a custom backsplash from Devon Tile. Above the range, the custom range hood has a stucco surround and is completed with a chocolate glaze. Cabinetry is in Alder Wood, adorned with handles from Rock Mountain Hardware. Again, with the choice of hardware, using similar fixtures in several rooms pulls the decor and details together. Another architectural styling is the open flow from one room to the next. With the kitchen as the focus, on one side through a stone archway, is the breakfast room accented with a dark bronze chandelier by Currey. The butler’s pantry is on the other side of the kitchen, through another arched entry, and is complete with Sub Zero wine refrigerator and ice maker. The butler's pantry is also an extension of the dining room, which flows out to the right of the entry creating a circular pattern of spaces with the entry as the starting point. Moving left or right from the entrance, the interior living space fills every turn. Through another archway is the expansive first floor master suite accented with high ceilings and a remote
tral-toned porcelain tile floor. Central to the space is a two-person Bain Ultra tub with a porcelain tile base and granite surround. A beautifully appointed walkin shower, with a window, is framed in the same washed maple. Pulling this space together is an oak ceiling beam. This bathroom follows suit with an infusion of natural materials blended to create an extraordinary space. Another extraordinary space is the second floor media/recreation room. Appointed in the same sandstone palette with Tiger Maple floors, this room offers a game area with an antique Arts & Crafts pool table, a fully-equipped bar and a theater area designed in a recessed area, down two steps, featuring multiple seating areas with electric reclining seats. This room is a perfect spot for gatherings large and small and is appointed with several windows affording views of the landscape. In addition to enjoying the views of the landscape from inside, the open, airy and earthy design footprint of their home overflows to the exterior. An expansive covered patio area extends out from the interior living space. Outfitted with a full array of seating and dining options, as well as an outdoor kitchen, this outdoor setting is a perfect spot for congregating.
control arched gas fireplace embellished in dark-toned woods. With the vision of bringing the outside in, the suite's sitting area is designed with three window walls affording views of the back deck living area and panoramic views of the landscape. Additional amenities include a large octagonal dressing area with his and her closets, flanked by mirrors. This area leads into their master bathroom suite finished in a sandstone palette complemented by a variety of rich wood accents. Double sinks on one side and a make-up area and sink on the other are all washed maple with granite countertops. These materials blend with the neu-
John and Purusha's indoor-outdoor living concept is extended by the community where they live. Leopard Lakes Community, built about 60 years ago, is a development of custom homes that share a long list of outdoor amenities including a walking and biking path around the lake, which is stocked with fish for catch and release. There are kayaks, a playground, tennis courts, boat beach and a floating dock, as well as charcoal grilles. With this array of amenities, there are so many activities for the residents. Now that summer is here, you will find John and Purusha enjoying their exterior living space right outside their doors. “We wanted to build a house to raise our child and entertain our family and friends,� Purusha adds. John and Purusha are looking forward to a summer filled with gatherings and lots of outdoor enjoyment. BETH S. BUXBAUM IS A FREELANCE WRITER FROM THE PHILADELPHIA AREA.
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Mystery of GLENCAIRN
Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn
High on a hill in the small borough of Bryn Athyn, PA sits a structure that looks surprisingly like a medieval castle by Anne Biggs and Joralyn Echols Glenn
High on a hill overlooking the picturesque borough of Bryn Athyn, just a mile from the Philadelphia border, stands what is for some a mysterious local landmark: a 20th century medieval-style castle. This vision of Old Europe is Glencairn, built as a residence for Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn, members of one of the prominent families
who
founded
this
tight-knit
communi
ty in rural Montgomery County near the close of the 19th century. Like any home, Glencairn holds a bounty of personal memories and poignant stories of the family that once lived and
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! Opposite, the Library, located on the 3rd floor, was once used regularly by the family as a second living room. There are fragments of medieval stained glass windows in the second-story windows, and a fifteenth-century tapestry above fireplace. Top, the Great Hall stretches up 74 feet, and holds some of Raymond Pitcairn’s favorite medieval pieces. Bryn Athyn copies of medieval stained glass windows from Chartres Cathedral in France.
loved and raised its children within its walls. But unlike any other residence, this former home, now Glencairn Museum, serves as the repository of a unique collection of art and artifacts, priceless items and documents that illustrate and illuminate the history, beliefs and practices of various world religions. From Huntingdon Pike, passersby can see the tower reaching into the sky, steep-pitched roofs, round and arched windows and warm stone walls—but miss the cloister with its bubbling fountain and white-themed garden, or all the stone carvings that adorn the exterior and offer surprises on columns and capitals, at corners and within entrance archways. And unless you step inside Glencairn’s Great Hall, once the Pitcairns’ living room, you would not experience the breathless majesty of massive stained glass windows lit by the sun, a gold-tile-spattered ceiling high above, colorful mosaics glittering grandly across a 20-foot wall or centuries’-old statuary looking blindly from arched openings or pedestals.
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And that’s just one room on one floor. Glencairn comprises more than 90 rooms on
!
10 floors. Why was this castle built? How did the collection of religious art and artifacts come together at Glencairn? What significance does Glencairn Museum have today? A mystery may be nothing more than a question asked of the wrong source. Churchill once famously said that Russia is “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Glencairn’s story might be described as “a belief wrapped in a commitment inside a castle.” It begins with a new Christian belief system. Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th century Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian, devoted the latter part of his life to writing 25 volumes of systematic theology grounded in the Bible. Central to Swedenborg’s understanding was his conviction that religion was not just a matter of knowledge or belief, but came from living a life of usefulness to one’s family, community, country and church. He called his approach to Christianity the “New Church.” Although he himself never attempted to found a religious organization, the name was adopted by people who formed faith groups based on his writings starting soon after his death in 1772. Swedenborg’s writings were especially well received in 19th-century America. The theology of the New Church was familiar to many of the country’s leading intellectuals and artists, influencing the work of the writers Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Brownings as well as the art of painter George Inness and sculptor Hiram Powers.
Opposite page left, what was the bedroom for one of the Pitcairn daughters on the 4th floor is now the Egyptian Gallery, which holds some of the first objects purchased by John Pitcairn and Rev. Benade. Right, this wood and plaster anthropoid (meaning “human-shaped”) coffin can be seen in the Egyptian gallery. Bottom, visitors begin their guided tour in Glencairn’s Great Hall.
John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, preached New Church ideas and distributed copies of Swedenborg’s writings while planting apple orchards in the
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!
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! Opposite, this view from the front foyer into Glencairn’s Upper Hall shows a portrait of Mildred Pitcairn who is wearing a gold velvet dress that Raymond designed, based on a medieval statue referred to as the Slim Princess that is in the Great Hall. Top, this view of the north side of the Great Hall was taken from the Upper Hall. It shows three more of six Bryn Athyn copies of windows from Chartes Cathedral in France. The windows depict biblical figures, (left to right) King David, an angel from the Book of Revelation, and Solomon. Below, this Nativity from Naples, called a Presepio, was part of the World Nativities exhibition at Glencairn Museum in 201617. It is on loan from the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial in South Philadelphia. !
Midwest for the advancing pioneers. By the mid-1800s, readers of Swedenborg’s writings had formed congregations in a number of different states. Philadelphia was an early center of New Church activity, and in 1876 the Academy of the New Church was established there to provide educational support. In 1877, two of the school’s founders—industrialist and self-made-man John Pitcairn and the Reverend William Henry Benade—traveled in Europe and the Holy Land. Inspired by their travels, they collected over a thousand artifacts from the ancient world and brought them home, where they became the beginning of a museum for the Academy of the New Church. In 1893, the Philadelphia New Church congregation established a community in rural Montgomery County where its members could raise their families amid natural beauty and like-minded friends, educate their children, worship and build an enduring base for the New Church in the United States. They named their community Bryn Athyn, believed to mean “hill of unity” in Welsh. Today the 1.9-square-mile home-rule municipality is home to Bryn Athyn College and
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the Academy of the New Church Second-
der Mildred and Raymond were so trim
using techniques of the period revived by
ary Schools.
and fit.
skilled and unskilled craftsmen laboring,
John Pitcairn’s son, Raymond, used his
Like an old English estate, Glencairn
as those European workers did, from
financial and educational advantages to
has a family chapel, an impressive gem
workshops erected on site. Cairncrest,
explore art, architecture and history. He
whose décor interprets New Church be-
built for Raymond’s brother Harold Pit-
was instrumental in the design and con-
liefs via medieval-inspired art.
cairn, is privately owned.
struction of Bryn Athyn Cathedral, where
The master bathroom has charming pe-
his passion for medieval artisanship was
riod fixtures, such as the shaving sink, and
you to explore it year-round, starting with
responsible for the revival of such hand-
a double-latched door that closes off either
a variety of engaging interpreter-led tours
crafts as stone carving, metal working, mo-
the toilet closet or the hallway into the
of the tower and five of the floors depicting
Glencairn offers a number of ways for
saics, woodcarving and, especially, the
wardrobe. For those who loved “Downton
world religious history—along with a sur-
creation of medieval-style stained glass,
Abbey,” a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the
prisingly intimate glimpse into the family’s
from blowing the colored glass and design-
kitchens is rewarding.
personal life. The Museum also welcomes
ing windows to assembling and installing the panels.
Raymond died in 1966 and Mildred
families, individuals and groups to visit
lived on in Glencairn until her death in
other events and programs, from seasonal
By 1928, Raymond had long completed
1979. The building and its contents, in-
exhibitions, festivals and visiting exhibits
the cathedral and begun work on his own
cluding the art collections, were given to
to concerts, workshops and educational programs.
home of Glencairn, his interpretation of
the Academy of the New Church schools.
medieval Romanesque architecture whose
The collections in the Academy’s mu-
name combines Mildred’s maiden name of
Raymond died in
Glenn with Pitcairn. Many of the same craftsmen worked on this new, ambitious project, which would provide plenty of room for the family’s 10 members. It also gave him a spacious canvas to incorporate art he’d been collecting, stained glass both old and newly crafted, the other artisan crafts that had been perfected in the cathedral—and myriad ideas he wanted to develop for the ma-
1966 and Mildred lived on in Glencairn until her death in 1979.
The museum galleries, most of which are housed in former family bedrooms, include Ancient Egypt, Ancient Near East, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Asian, American Indian and several galleries for medieval stained glass, sculpture and treasury items. The Egyptian gallery features special exhibits on mythology, the pantheon and funerary magic, as well as two miniaturized dioramas—one illustrating the ritual aspects of mummification and another depicting the mythical judg-
terials, layout, construction techniques
ment of the dead in the afterlife. In the An-
and artistic flourishes.
cient Near East gallery, a detailed model
Despite the Great Depression, when
seum—the items Rev. Benade and John
of the Tabernacle of Israel explains the
Raymond slowed construction but kept as
Pitcairn brought home—moved to Glen-
Biblical context of the Tabernacle and the
many workers employed as possible, the
cairn and merged with the Glencairn col-
rituals associated with it. The Greek and
castle gradually took shape; the family
lections to create Glencairn Museum, a
Roman galleries focus on the role of reli-
moved into the new home in 1939.
museum of religious art and history.
gion in society by presenting religious ob-
The result features great beauty and im-
Glencairn shares the architectural lime-
jects within their broader cultural context.
pressive artisanship as well as a mix of
light with three other Bryn Athyn Historic
The medieval galleries present several
practical, innovative and flat-out curious
District Landmark buildings on this side
groupings of stained glass panels—one
aspects. Several sleeping porches for hot
of Huntingdon Pike. East of Glencairn sits
with scenes from the life of Christ and an-
summer nights served the parents, the
Cairnwood Estate, built 1892-95 in the
other with saints and martyrs.
boys and, on a floor near the tower, the
Beaux Arts style for Raymond’s parents,
Glencairn’s first floor has been pre-
girls. Although the house is equipped with
John and Gertrude Pitcairn, currently an
served in its integrity, with the Great Ha-
two elevators (the main elevator, which
event center and visitor’s site. To Glen-
land Upper Hall featuring dozens of
runs up to the tower, was recently refur-
cairn’s south rises Bryn Athyn Cathedral,
medieval sculptures, medieval stained
bished), it has just two sets of stairs be-
a Gothic and Romanesque-style complex
glass windows, frescoes, paintings, tapes-
tween the floors—one of which is a “back
constructed in 1913-20 as a modern inter-
tries and oriental rugs existing in aesthetic
stairs” for the household staff. It’s no won-
pretation of medieval European cathedrals
continued on page 69
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Family
All in the
Four local businesses that like to keep it all in the family by Bob Waite
When we think of family businesses we often use the term “mom and pop” as a description of something that is very small, unsophisticated and probably a little behind the times. This “mom and pop” description doesn’t at all fit the facts. The facts actually show that family owned and run businesses are the backbone of the American economy. According to Astrachan, J.H. and Shanker, M.C., in Family Businesses’ Contribution to the U.S. Economy: A Closer Look, family businesses account for 64 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, generate 62 percent of the country’s employment, and account for 78 percent of all new job creation. Montgomery County and the surrounding area is blessed with many family businesses. Some have been operating more than a century. It is not uncommon to meet third and fourth generation owners of these business, who often went off on their own for a while but eventually returned home to the businesses they grew up around. Ray’s Appliances in Conshohocken, Mastroieni Furniture in Montgomeryville, Graboyes Windows and Door in East Norriton and Lindy Communities in Jenkintown are all examples of thriving businesses that add to our quality of life.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 57
Melissa Kutalek
Ray’s Appliances
Right out of World War II, an enterprising young man, Ray LaPenta opened an appliance store in downtown Conshohocken. He ran the business with integrity and became a name synonymous with quality appliances. In 1985 his son Chris took over and Ray continued to work part time in the business. Now a third generation is getting preparing to receive the baton. Chris LaPenta Sr. brought his son into the business and the younger Chris is following in the family tradition. Ray’s Appliances has been in its present location at 421 W. Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, PA since 1998. Chris says, “We carry all the major brands with a slight emphasis on the premium brands. Sometimes I don’t like to say that because we don’t only carry the expensive stuff. We have the entry level and middle of the road, and that’s where Home Depot and Lowes stop. We also carry Viking and Thermador, the higher priced brands. We do have appliances that start at $299 and $399 but we don’t sell many of them because people generally go to other stores for appliances like that.
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Above (from left to right) Sue LaPenta, Chris LaPenta, Chris LaPenta Sr., Max Lizana, Joe Moore and Rich Beltz.
Since we engage with the customer, they realize why they don’t want the cheapest thing and they always spend a little more money.” Young Chris LaPenta, age 33, works with his father and he is learning all there is to learn about the business. And he has brought some of his own skills to the business. “I do a lot of the marketing and am involved with the website,” he says. He is also very good at merchandising, the art of putting the appliances on the floor in a way that is both appealing aesthetically and user friendly for the customer. Like his father, Chris worked in the store since his teens. Now he came into the business, and the plan is for him to eventually run the store. My father was older, so when he was 62 or 63 he said, ‘That’s it, I want to retire,’ I was 27. My son is 33 and I will be 61, so the gap is smaller; my dad was older.” Chris LaPenta worked a couple of other jobs before coming into the business. Now he is 60 and is beginning to talk about an exit plan but admits that he is not there yet. The family works well together. Sue LaPenta, Chris Sr.’s wife, also works in the business and is the office manager. On family occasions they may discuss business but they try to keep business and pleasure separate. “It is impossible to not talk about business, but we try to keep it light,” Chris says. Appliances are not the same they were when Ray opened the store in 1944. “Appliances are more efficient these days because of government mandates,” Chris says. “They are larger than they used to be, and also they are much more energy efficient.” Chris says, “For example, “Dryers have steam options for dewrinkling and deodorizing. Ranges have convection ovens for more even cooking and some of the new refrigerators have Keurig coffee systems built into them. A lot of the features are beginning to drop down more into the core line products.” Ray’s Appliances is located at 421 W. Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, PA. For more information, call 610-825-7297 or visiwww.raysappliances.com.
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Melissa Kutalek
Mastroieni Furniture
During the early 1920s Nicola Mastroieni began selling jewelry door-to-door. It was one of those things, though that people do not need, so in 1926, he and his wife decided to open a store in the Lehigh section of Philadelphia. Nancy Mastroieni, the wife of Nicola’s grandson Nicolas, says,” It began as two store fronts. The store was near Connie Mack Stadium. At first they sold jewelry, appliances, and furniture. It evolved that way.” In the early 1970s Nicola passed away and the store went to his son Lawrence. Lawrence decided to move Mastroieni Furniture from Philadelphia to the current location at 1113 Bethlehem Pike in Montgomeryville. In time Lawrence brought his twin sons, Lawrence Jr. and Nicolas, into the business. Growing up around the furniture business made it an easy transition for the twins to become part of it. While the store was still in Philadelphia and the twins were attending high school, the boys would help with delivery of furniture and taking installment payments from customers. Larry began first because Nick went to college.
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Above, two generations of Mastroienis: Nicolas Mastroieni on left and Lawrence Mastroieni Jr., flank their father Lawrence Mastroieni.
Nancy thought a question about who does what job was kind of humorous. She says, “We are too small to specialize.” Nick adds, “We do what we need to do to get everything done.” So Nick explains, “Larry and I do the background, run the payables and when stuff must be done at the warehouse, we will run up there to unload a truck.” It’s a hands on business. Nancy does ninety percent of the service. She says, “I try to keep away form sales.” Nancy explains, “I came into the business a year after we got married. I didn’t intend on being in the furniture business, but if I wanted to see him, I had to come into the business. We do well working together. Everyone works well together but we are small enough, we have a staff of four full-time employees and each has a specific job. Besides the three of us, there are two sales people and two warehouse employees.” Mastroieni’s sells furniture for everyone but they specialize in senior furniture and lift chairs. Nancy says, “You need to be a niche somewhere, we can’t compete with the big boxes. The big box stores are not interested in selling; they are interested in having you buy what they bought. So we are selling, and we found that Seniors, who are downsizing, cannot get smaller sofas, smaller kitchen tables, smaller chairs, because the mainstream is not buying that kind of furniture. They are buying whatever is the cheapest or the latest fad. We have a large group of seniors that are involved in our selling. They were here when they were in the 20s and now they are coming back in their 70s to buy furniture.” The difference between a small family run business and the larger stores is not just the size of the furniture. The furniture on the floor are samples for the customer to see and then make their order. “For example,” Nancy says, “We order custom
fabric and the big box store won’t do that. In our store, if you see a sofa by a certain manufacturer and you like it, you come back here and pick one of these fabrics. What we do is show the sample and then you can pick whatever fabric you like.” Mastroieni Furniture is located at 1113 Bethlehem Pike, Montgomeryville, PA 18936. For more information, call 215 643-6372 or visit www.mastroienifurniture.com.
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Paul Wesley
Lindy Communities
It was at the height of the Great Depression, in 1933 that Jacob and Freeda Lindy went into the property management. By 1939, they built Sedgwick Gardens an apartment complex in the West Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, which they still own and manage. Recently the family did a multi-milliondollar renovation on this complex, modernizing it, yet still keeping its unique historic charm. It is considered the crown jewel of West Mount Airy. Alan Lindy and his brother Frank, his wife Carolyn and his sister Elaine make up the third generation of Lindys, who came on board in the 1980s. Before them their father and uncle, Philip and Alan, expanded the business. Alan Lindy says, “In the late 50s and 60s my father and his brother became active in home construction. Lindy Brothers was the name of the company. And they built middle income homes for the most part in Philadelphia and suburbs.” Alan continues, “My uncle passed away in 1970 and my father continued buying apartments that were distressed, fixing them up and holding on to them. And that’s our main main focus.”
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Above, current generation of Lindys (left to right) Alan Lindy and Frank Lindy.
Frank came into the family business after college, but Alan lived in New England for a period of time, where he had a “very fulfilling human services job.” In 1985 he came into the business too. Alan reflects, “Shortly after father passed, we built The Tower at Wyncote. When I came, in 1985, the company had about 500 apartments, and today has over 6000. And they are in far better condition. And we manage all of our apartments by ourselves except for the ones out of state. We have a couple complexes in Florida and a couple in Ohio.” There are two sides to the Lindy family’s business. In fact they are two separate businesses. There is Lindy Property Management, which manages all their properties and is owned solely by the family. The Lindy company that is an ownership company does involve other investors or partners. “Each property is its own partnership. Most of it is owned and controlled by the family but we have different partners in each one,” Alan explains. One complex Lindy manages is The Park at Westminster, a complex at 600 Valley Road in Warrington that has 270 units. This complex is described as “... a quiet, relaxed environment, beautifully landscaped grounds and and a healthy mixture of elegance, tranquility, sophistication and entertainment.” Amenities include a fully equipped gym with spinning bicycles, a beautiful swimming pool, a spacious den or office in each one, controlled access entry, a private balcony, a master bathroom in two and three bedroom apartments and more. The Park is managed by Alison Snyder and the grounds supervisor is John LaBar. John has been working at The Park for 33 years, under several different property management companies. He says that when Lindy took over things changed. It was so much better, and he was equipped with materials, crews and whatever he needed to get the job done. The Lindys have given back much to the community in charity including scholarships and other helps. They have transformed neighborhoods and most of all have made an impact on the lives of thousands of tenants for whom quality apartments with many amenities, color choices and prompt service are facts of life. Lindy’s corporate headquarters is located at 309 Old York Rd #211, Jenkintown, PA 19046. The Park at Westminster is located at 600 Valley Road, Warrington, PA 18976. For more information, call 844-584-6117 or visit www.lindyproperty.com.
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Paul Wesley
Graboyes Window & Door
Joseph Graboyes learned a lot about windows by working for his two brothers, who owned a small aluminum storm window and door manufacturing factory in Philadelphia. Then in 1949, at the age of 22, he decided to go out on his own. Montana Graboyes says, “We were founded in 1949 by my grandfather, Joseph and my grandmother, Shirley. I like to think of Joseph as bronze. He would go out every evening, knock on doors and set appointments. My grandmother, Shirley, I think of as the brains, because she would help with the accounting and books.” Montana Graboyes is the granddaughter of Joseph and Shirley and the daughter of Richard and Pamela Graboyes, the current owners of Graboyes Window & Door. As a third generation Graboyes, Montana didn’t go directly into the family business, but instead worked in a museum, a music conservatory and the U. S. Senate, but says that she finds more satisfaction working with her parents at Graboyes. “We don’t just do what we do to make money,” she says. “The challenge of this business is helping people get what they need. There is a shared sense of purpose.” 64
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Two generaltions of Graboyes: (from left to right) Montana Graboyes, Pamela Graboyes and Richard Graboyes.
Working in a family business usually begins early. Rich remembers working after school in the office and out on appointments. The office was then at their home on Airy Street in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia. The business moved to East Norriton in 1964 and then to this present location at 48 W. Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA, where they’ve been for the past 35 years. Montana says, “We are a specialty contractor and have to be very good a just a few things.” Rich explains, “We specialize in exterior doors. We are, as Montana said, a specialty contractor. We only do doors and windows. We used to do roofing and siding twenty years ago. But now we specialize in windows and doors.” Window and door sales and installation is a different business than what it used to be. “Window and doors are changing all the time.” Rich says. “The windows we sold thirty-five or forty years ago are not the same as the windows and doors today. We work with top notch national brands who are always doing more research, more development and newer designs.” An example of this change is the evolution of doors from wood to fiberglass. “Fiberglass has become very realistic, especially with the introduction of oak grains, cherry grains, mahogany grains and so on. There are many advantages over wood. We won’t sell a wood entry door. Not even for an old home. The look and texture of a fiberglass door is indistinguishable from feel and look of wood.” Rich says, “It is easier to have a professional install windows made to fit than to buy a window and then change the building to make it fit. And that’s what Graboyes can do and do well. In today’s market and technology, it costs nothing more to buy a custom window than to buy it in a standard size. “We make our widows to fit the hole that’s in your house. We measure it to one eighth of an inch.” Graboyes Window and Door is located at 48 W. Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19401. For more information, call 610-279-3905 or visit www.graboyeswindows.com.
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Style
From Jeweler’s Row to Jenkintown, the Rosnov family is known for its vision to provide great jewelry to Montgomery County by Mary Beth Schwartz 66
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Tricia Farley
Fifth Generation Jeweler
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Even though the weather can be sweltering during the summer months, we still want to look fashionable. Whether at a beach resort or a European villa, wearing the perfect piece of jewelry makes a statement. According to InStyle magazine, layered pendant necklaces, pileable bracelets, stackable rings, anklets, and golden hoop earrings are the top five picks for this summer. Since 1906, many customers in the Delaware Valley have been purchasing their jewelry from Rosnov Jewelers.
Scott Rosnov, Co-Owner of Rosnov Jewelers and Vice President, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is a Certified Graduate in Diamonds and Diamond Grading. Photos of jewelry are custom made products by staff at Rosnov Jewelers.
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Staying Fit at Any Age
By Vicky Waite
Fitness without leaving your chair
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ne snowy weekend when Bill, Bobby and I were up in the mountains at our vacation home. My social butterfly son Bobby saw our new neighbor trying to dig herself out of the snow. Her car was stuck. And, being the good Samaritan that he is, he decided to run over, shovel in hand. Before long he began to wave me over. I went over and they were talking about Bucks County Magazine. She evidently was a long-time subscriber who raved about the magazine to me. Then she told me how much she loved my column. Small world, right? With all that buttering up she became my instant friend. And, get this, her name is Vicky. It doesn’t get any better than that! Should be a piece of cake for Bobby and Bill to remember her name? She was fit for her age, and she wanted to let me know that she had the perfect piece of equipment for my article. I had time after Bobby dug her out so I said, “Why not take a look?” She took Bobby and me into her house and into her bedroom, and she pulled out a piece of equipment from under her bed. It looked like a folded chair to me. Both Bobby and I looked at each other and had to hold in our laughter. Then she unfolded it and we were shocked. She said it was the Chair Gym. Just by looking at it, I knew this was going to be good due to the resistance bands and pulleys. Anything I ever used with resistance bands and pulleys was always effective. I was convinced right there and then to write up the Chair Gym. My new friend Vicky started showing me some of the exercises done properly. She was saying that you can do more than 50 different exercises that exercise our arms, chest, shoulders, abdomen, back, and legs.
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With this I said I was more than willing to go for it! I go right for the resistance bands, which are great! They give you an all over strengthening and toning to all the major muscle groups. The Chair Gym offers 3 different levels of resistance with 3 resistance bands to choose from. It’s divided up into body parts. You can choose to do a total body workout or select specific body parts. You can mix them up by doing both seated and standing exercises. It’s nice that you can start out slow and then build up to tougher exercises. I’m loving these resistance bands as they strengthen every part of my body. The Chair Gym is just great for those people who work sedentary jobs and want easy access to exercising. And, for those seniors who need to gain strength. Great for the mobility impaired or anyone too busy to get to the gym. The Chair Gym offers removable handles for versatile exercises. It is lightweight and well made. Vicky says it is great for her mom’s arthritis pain, so she can strengthen the muscles without all the high impact activities. The Chair Gym is recommended for people with aches and pains and need to build up slowly their strength. It can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels and comes with a free instructional and 30 minute workout DVD. The Chair Gym folds under bed for easy storage. It comes 90% assembled, you just have to attach resistance bands. I think that for anyone who wants to get a great strength and balance workout, this is the way to go. It certainly can hit all the muscle groups. The Chair Gym is a wonderful initiative to offer rehab to the elderly. And, it’s a total body workout. Great choice. And, what a breeze for Bill, didn’t even have to pull out the tool box or break a sweat. For more information go to www.chairgym.com. And, with any exercise program, always consult your physician before you begin.
Entering their fifth generation of the business, Rosnov Jewelers is an area landmark. “We are proud of our heritage, history, and valued customers over the years,” says Scott Rosnov, Co-Owner/Vice President, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Certified Graduate in Diamonds and Diamond Grading. According to Scott, Mendele Rosnov, a Russian immigrant, served as the timekeeper for the Czar of Russia. He was an expert jeweler and watchmaker. In 1906 he opened Rosnov Jewelers on Philadelphia’s Jewelers’ Row. “The store thrived with Saul, the second generation, until 1970. Mitchell Rosnov, the third generation, moved the store to its present location in Jenkintown. Mitchell was one of the first jewelers to custom design and manufacture jewelry on the premises. He also one of the first gemologists certified by the GIA in the area.” David Rosnov, the fourth generation, expanded the business. “Now that I have entered the business, my vision is to provide great jewelry with quality materials and excellent customer service.” When you enter the showroom at Rosnov Jewelers, you will be met by an experienced staff of salespeople and an onsite jewelry technician. Your shopping experience will be one that is quite relaxing. Rosnov Jewelers offers collections of rings, necklaces, earrings, brooches, bracelets, even pins. You will find pieces in white gold, platinum, rose gold, and 14k or 18k yellow gold. If there is something that you would like to create, you can work with the pros at Rosnov Jewelers to design one-of-a-kind items. “For generations, we have lead the way by creating timeless, innovative, and sentimental jewelry. Whether we use your stones or ours, it is important to be properly guided when making custom design pieces. Our custom made diamond wedding bands are a staple at Rosnov’s. All of our stones are high
quality, and all settings are hand made in house,” Scott says. Scott showed me a few custom pieces he has designed for customers. One was a custom made fancy yellow diamond ring that matched well with a fully handmade diamond flower necklace set in white and rose gold. He also displayed custom and handmade diamond eternity wedding bands that were set with round and fancy shaped high quality diamonds. Another unique collection combined custom and handmade diamond bangle bracelets. In this set were Ceylon blue sapphires and high quality round full cut diamonds. Scott went on to show me custom made engagement rings in three-stone styles and halo styles all set in white gold with very high quality diamonds. “We sell GIA Certified Diamonds of all shapes and sizes.” Saving the best for last, Scott offered a display of handmade diamond bar necklaces that are comprised of full cut round diamonds and .35 carats of high quality diamonds. These necklaces can come with 14k white, rose, or yellow gold chains. “We are seeing a trend towards simple designs. For example, there are classic looks in engagement rings, such has platinum baguette settings and halo diamond settings. There also has been a comeback of yellow gold jewelry,” Scott notes. All of the custom work, along with repairs, are done on the premises. There is a fully equipped manufacturing facility on site. Rosnov Jewelers also provides jewelry inspection and cleaning, along with diamond appraisals. In addition, they will purchase gold and silver, estate jewelry, and diamonds. Rosnov Jewelers is located at 320 York Road in Jenkintown. You can visit their Website at www.rosnov.com. They also are on Facebook and Instagram. To schedule an appointment, call 215-885-4218.
MYSTERY OF GLENCAIRN continued from page 56
icon painting, yoga, and creating pysanky eggs, while the current temporary exhibition on the Pennsylvania Dutch folk healing ritual of powwowing draws visitors to
harmony with the sculpture, mosaic and stained glass created for this space by Bryn Athyn artists.
a presentation on powwowing’s history. Concerts in the Great Hall have featured some of the world’s finest perform-
Each November this space is trans-
ers, such as violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn,
formed by Glencairn staff, volunteers and
Philadelphia’s Wister Quartet, pianist and
artists who install Glencairn’s World Na-
composer Julian Gargiulo and solo-voice
tivities exhibition for the public to view
ensemble Les Canards Chantants, Glen-
from the day after Thanksgiving through
cairn’s ensemble in residence.
the first week in January. The selection of
In the last few decades, the church com-
over 30 nativities includes many scenes
munity at Bryn Athyn has put concerted
from Glencairn’s own collection, begun by
effort into sharing their faith and way of
the Pitcairns years ago, supplemented by
life, with the hope that their beliefs can be
loans from artists, collectors and museums:
a positive force in the world. While early
old and new depictions of the Christmas
Bryn Athyn Church members focused
story created by artists from other cultures
more on educating their own families, now
in a variety of materials. Each rendering is
the schools in particular are inviting stu-
researched and labeled with its story and
dents from all walks of life through their
origin, creating a fascinating experience
doors. Glencairn Museum has been part
for visitors.
of that effort, working to make itself better
The Christmas Sing concert each De-
known to people of all ages and interests.
cember continues the Pitcairn family tra-
“Through our unique collection of reli-
dition of a seasonal concert with live
gious art from around the world, Glen-
instrumentals. This popular concert is
cairn hopes to engage visitors in the
open to the public and tickets usually sell
ongoing global dialogue about spiritual
out in advance.
belief and practice,” says Brian Hender-
A pair of favorite events is the Medieval
son, the Museum’s director. “We hope the
Festival (October 29 this year) and the
beauty of these collections, and of Glen-
spring Sacred Arts Festival. For a small
cairn itself, will inspire reflection, build
fee, visitors can explore the castle’s main
understanding, and ultimately foster em-
rooms and galleries, while demonstrations
pathy for one another in our common
take place on the grounds and within
human endeavor to find meaning and
Glencairn’s walls. Glassblowing, stone
purpose in our lives.”
carving, metal forging, stained glass paint-
It’s also really fun to explore the nooks
ing, mosaics, icon writing, printing on a
and crannies of a medieval-style castle and
replica Gutenberg-era press and a tradi-
see a mummified baby alligator, Native
tional sand mandala are usually part of the
American tools and weapons, Greek stat-
spring festival, while the fall festival fea-
ues and the view from the highest point for
tures stained glass windows, illuminated
miles around.
manuscripts, period musical instruments, medieval weaponry and a quest based on medieval pilgrimage. Glencairn has long opened its doors to area schools, with many children’s first
Mary Beth Schwartz is a freelance writer who frequently contributes to regional publications.
mates. Recent workshops have included
Glencairn visit being a field trip with class-
TO BOOK A TOUR OR LEARN MORE, CONTACT GLENCAIRN MUSEUM, 1001 CATHEDRAL ROAD, BRYN ATHYN PA, 19009,
INFO@GLENCAIRNMUSEUM.ORG,
AT
267-502-
2990 OR VISIT GLENCAIRNMUSEUM.ORG.
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Home
Stone Work and Remodeling
Severino & Son, Inc. are masters of the art and the craft of ceramic tile installation, marble and granite fabrication and installation, and remodeling - by Jess Winters
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Severino Addesso began a company specializing in stone work in 1971 and was joined by his son, John in 1995. The company became Severino & Son, Inc. Both father and son are masters of both the art and the craft of ceramic tile installation, and marble and granite fabrication and installation. They offer not only a worldwide selection of granite and marble countertops, but also quartz and natural stone tops. They are expert stone fabricators who provide professional kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Severino is constantly improving their products and service, as well as expanding their granite, marble and quartz inventory. Thier goal is to provide the highest quality customer service, offering their clients the best in marble, granite, onyx, and now quartzite slabs. Also available are quartz and solid surface products for all their client’s needs. Severino and Son, Inc. manufactures natural as well as manmade products, such as quartz, marble and solid colors, granite, quartzite, onyx, pre-
mium veined marbles, and granite products (natural stone granite and engineered quartz Zodiac and more). In addition to a line of 1,000 plus colors, custom color matching and color matched customized stone upon request for unique products large network of suppliers for slabs. Severino and Son, Inc. carries over 400 types of quartz slabs countertops. They carry Cambria, Caesarstone, ECO (earth, Green friendly), LG Viatera, Silestone, and Q Premium MSI. They also have Quartzite products slabs on location for slab viewing. Each of these products have different characteristics and unique color and shade. They offer products in standard configuration and custom styles, shapes, texture, colors, and sizes. Customized edge profiles are available, as well as in stock choices are included with purchase. Severinos specializes in granite, marble, quartz and natural stone. Countertops for kitchen and bath, as well as, fireplace materials and custom cuts. Their showroom and stone yard house a generous stock of granite colors and textures. Severino's connections with various quarries from around the world, and our local network of distributors, are your connection to ensure you find the perfect product. In fact, Severino’s specialty is custom work and remodeling. If a customer brings in a sketch of their project, they will be glad to prepare a price quote for fabricating and installing it in their home or business. Severino & Son, Inc. invites customers to use this website to gather ideas and learn more about us, and then give Severino and Son a call to arrange for an appointment to discuss the project. Severino & Son Inc. marble and granite fabricators quartz quartzite is the only way to go for your countertops. Severino & Son, Inc. is located at 3300 Trewigtown Road, Colmar, PA 18915. For more information, call 215-822-8855 or visit www.stonecountertop.com.
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Why try to explain miracles to your kids when you can just j have them plant a gaarden.
Dining Out
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UMAMI UMAMI
n avid Phillies fan, Sushi Chef Phil Park is as refreshing as an early summer’s breeze. As he prepares his elegant sushi/sashimi orders or his exquisitely layered Umami Boat, he will chat with guests about the latest sports stories or a new menu item he has recently conjured up. The acting general manager at Umami Umami, the modern Japanese restaurant in Dresher, Phil revels in experimentation. As such, on our most recent visit to this charming sushi haven, we had to try Boom Boom, his current favorite, a pleasing arrangement of crab, cucumber, and avocado topped with flakes of tuna, salmon, masago (smelt roe), and white tuna and the chef’s creamy sauce. And if you’re sitting at the downstairs sushi bar, you’ll see Phil gently smiling as he torches his creation. He says, “I love the barbecue flavor of Boom Boom, plus the fun I have with the torch.” Needless to say, the flavor of Boom Boom exploded on our
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Photos: Paul Wesley
–by Frank Quattrone
palates, just as we had hoped — one more example of the sushi chef’s distinctive style and touch. His mantra is: “I want to put something appetizing on the plate. It has to be appealing to the eye, and then, of course, to the palate.” Phil plays a key role in the family-owned-and-operated Umami Umami, whose charming name, doubled for maximum effect, translates roughly as “savory,” or as his wife’s sister, Cindy Kim-Horn, likes to say, “the last great taste in your mouth.” Cindy, like her sister, Courtney (Phil’s wife), work at the restaurant about once a week, or as they are needed by their parents, Myung K. Kim and Yon-Sil Kim, the co-owners. Yon-Sil still spends much of her time in the kitchen, preparing most of the restaurant’s hot dishes, which Phil describes as “Chinese-influenced Japanese [as well as Korean] dishes.” We tried one of the latter, Kitchen Hibachi, a delicious array of grilled chicken (other choices are beef and seafood) served with Japanese fried rice with assorted vegetables, including carrots, peas, and peppers, topped with scrambled egg. Dinner entrées
are served with soup or salad. We had the refreshingly seasonal, mayo-free Ginger Dressing Salad of mixed fruits and vegetables. We also shared two other dishes we recommend highly. No one should leave Umami Umami without trying the architectural wonder called The Tower. Not your traditional sushi roll, our tower was an eye-feast layered with wild rice, crab mix, avocado, and spicy salmon, resting on a bed of zesty sauces. We enjoyed a
mini version of The Tower so that we could also try one of the chef’s newer dishes, the already popular Corona, a flavorful rainbow of spicy izumidai (red snapper), cucumber, and tempura flakes topped with avocado, white tuna, and more tempura flakes in a light lime-flavored sauce. Through it all, amazing sushi rolls materialized before our eyes as Phil Park worked diligently at his craft, creating sumptucontinued on next page
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NABRASA
BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE
s soon as you enter the main dining room, you know you’re in for a treat. It’s a total sensory experience, the likes of which you’ll rarely encounter in the usual restaurant. You’ll first take in the heady aroma of freshly grilled meats. Then your eyes are drawn to the brightly lighted hues of the gourmet salad bar . . . unless a handsomely dressed gaucho passes before you holding a long skewer of lamb chops, top sirloin, or beef ribs. Then you hear the pleasant buzz of contented guests, choosing their favorite meats, chatting away as grinning gauchos wend their way from table to table, waiting for the chance to slice and serve. So it goes at naBrasa, the Brazilian steakhouse in Horsham that’s been delighting customers since opening nine years ago. On our most recent visit, a Monday night, naBrasa (which refers to a style of cooking on the grill) was packed. Courtly General Manager Rui Lucas said that a hundred guests were expected that night, quite surprising, as hundreds of happy mothers and their families had crossed the restaurant’s threshold on Mother’s
Day, one day earlier. “We’ve been blessed,” Rui said, “to be doing so well after all this time. We’ve been consistent and we’ve maintained the quality of the product. We’ve come to realize that this business is not a sprint but a marathon. And because our chefs, servers, and staff are having so much fun, so do our guests. They love the theatrical atmosphere — gauchos wearing somewhat traditional outfits — black slacks and red scarves, tall skewers ready for the next person to call them over.” Rui explains that this unique style of serving, called Rodizio, originated on the pampas of southern Brazil and Argentina in the 18th century. Cowboys would transport huge herds of cattle from ranches to markets up to sixty miles away. When hungry en route, they would slaughter a steer or two and spin its meat on their swords over an open fire, sharing the delicious, juicy meat. Rodizio is a modified re-creation of that tradition, offering guests far more choices than those available to the cowboys of old. The dining experience at naBrasa is actually twofold. Guests begin phase one by cruising along the salad bar, where two-dozen SUMMER 2017
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Umami Umami
ous plates for other guests. Among the more popular items are the Ninja, a fiery roll of spicy tuna, cucumber, and oshinko (pickled vegetables), topped with tuna, jalapeño pepper, and spicy sauce; and Red Dragon, a colorful array of shrimp tempura and avocado topped with spicy tuna, crab, and bonito flakes. A d venturesome diners also enjoy Umami Umami’s Korean or Japanese dinner entrées, including Chicken, Shrimp, or Vegetable Tempura; Bulgogi, Korean-style beef or chicken marinated with onions and pepper and served with rice; and our personal favorite, Bibimbap. A Korean entrée meaning “mixed meal,” Bibimbap is a nutritious, filling meal of chicken, beef, or tofu served with rice and topped with assorted sautéed veggies, a fried egg, and gochujang, a spicy, sweet, and savory red chili condiment. We ended our meal with another of Phil Park’s wondrous creations, Fried Cheese Cake, cool and creamy inside, as you might expect, but panko-coated and warm on the outside, and irresistible. Located in the historic Dresher Inn, completely refurbished by Myung K. Kim and his helpers seven years ago, Umami
Umami is distinguished by a magnificent crystal chandelier hanging above the grand staircase leading to the main dining area upstairs. But even more so, guests rave about Phil Park’s unforgettable sushi and sashimi creations, fashioned from the freshest, most healthful ingredients he can find, including fresh fish ordered every single day of the week. His approach to sometimes unusual sushi combinations is, “Why not? My personal taste tells me what will work well together; but I also listen to my guests’ suggestions and responses, and I try to adapt to their changing tastes as well.”Umami Umami is a savory, dynamic culinary experience you will return to, as Eve and I do, again and again.
freshly prepared favorites greet them. The items include everything from daily soup specials to grilled mushrooms, hearts of palm, shrimp mango salad, crab cabbage salad, huge New Zealand mussels, quail eggs, cured meats, imported cheeses, fresh vegetables, and tortellini cheese pomodoro. For those who prefer to indulge only in the salad bar ( an appetizing meal in itself), beautifully grilled salmon is also included in the cost. For those who stay for the whole show, however, a unforgettable experience unfolds. All Rodizio guests will find a little round queue (or card) at their table, with the brown side facing up. As soon as you’re ready to sample the 14 cuts of meat — no need to hurry, as you’ll still be enjoying your salad spread — just flip your queue to the yellow side. Before you know it, one of the handsome gaucho chefs will be at your side to carve you a slice of your favorite meat, cooked to your liking. Among the choices are sirloin, filet mignon, leg of lamb, lamb chops, pork loin with Parmesan, beef ribs, chicken legs, and chicken wrapped in bacon. As tempting as those cuts looked, Eve and I chose medium rare cuts of top sirloin, filet wrapped in bacon, and flank steak, plus pork ribs, sausage, and the monthly special, barbecued ribs. Far and away, our favorites were the filet wrapped in bacon, the flank steak, and the barbecued ribs — and the exquisitely grilled salmon. As always, it was a toss-up, as naBrasa, with Executive Chef Helio Peloso at the helm, never fails to get it just right! Three sides complement your meats: fried bananas, Portuguese cheese bread, and mashed potatoes. In addition to the roving gauchos, you’ll be approached by other servers rolling their Caipirinha cart tableside to mix your favorite drink — perhaps Brazil’s refreshing national cocktail,
Caipirinha, made with cachaça, a Brazilian sugarcane rum, sugar, and lime. If you have room for dessert (unfortunately, we didn’t), you can choose from the likes of Flan, Molten Chocolate Cake, Peanut Butter Bomb, and Strawberry Cheesecake Parfait. Arrive early (reservations are a must!), or stay late, and you can choose from a selection of nearly 150 whiskeys, 125 wines, nearly forty draft (mostly craft) beers on tap, and more, at the quaint and cozy Whiskey Bar at The Loft upstairs from naBrasa and Iron Abbey Gastro Pub, its brother restaurant next door. All three establishments are owned and operated by Daniel DaCosta of Willow Grove and Celso Leite of Montgomeryville. Rui Lucas, their longtime friend, also recommends the Sunday Brunch, which features, in addition to eight cuts of meat, an omelette station, a lobster station, and a chocolate station. And on Father’s Day, every dad will receive a complementary dessert. You may have seen naBrasa’s huge food truck, bringing a slice of Brazilian culinary culture to neighborhood festivals and the like. But you can experience it firsthand at the restaurant itself. Make it a night. Pace yourself. You’ll experience perhaps the most unique dining experience you’ll ever have in Montgomery County.
naBrasa Brazilian
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UMAMI UMAMI IS LOCATED AT 1708 LIMEKILN PIKE, DRESHER, PA 19025; 215-542-6993; WWW.UMAMIDRESHER.COM. OPEN FOR LUNCH MONDAY¬–FRIDAY, 11 A.M. TO 3 P.M., AND SATURDAY, 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M., AND FOR DINNER SUNDAY, 4 TO 9:30 P.M., MONDAY–THURSDAY, 4:30 TO 10 P.M., AND FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 4 TO 11 P.M. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED WEEKENDS THROUGH OPEN TABLE; WALK-INS WELCOME. AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOUT, CATERING, PRIVATE PARTIES.
NABRASA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE IS LOCATED AT 680 N. EASTON ROAD,
HORSHAM, PA 19044; 215-956-0600; WWW.NABRASA.COM. OPEN FOR MONDAY –THURSDAY, 5-9 P.M., FRIDAY & SATURDAY, 5 – 10 P.M., AND SUNDAY, 4 – 9 P.M.; SUNDAY BRUNCH, 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES, CORPORATE EVENTS ON- AND OFF-PREMISES. RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY BRUNCH.
DINNER
D I NI NG O U T G U I D E
Bay Pony Inn, 508 Old Skippack Rd., Lederach, PA; 215-256-6565; www.bayponyinnpa.com. The Bay Pony Inn is where informal elegance and warm hospitality come quite naturally. A blend of American and international culinary traditions, gracious service and warm hospitality await you.We invite you to visit us and allow us to share with you a bit of this old world charm and elegance.Lunch,Tues.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Sunday Brunch, 11:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m.; Dinner,Tues.–Thurs., 4:30–9 p.m., Fri.-Sat, 4:30-10:30 p.m., Sun. 4:30-8 p.m. Closed Monday. Banquet and wedding facilities.
Blue Bell Inn, 601 W. Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA; 215-646-2010 www.bluebellinn.com. The Blue Bell Inn began welcoming guest in 1743 and a regular patron was George Washington. Now recently remodeled, yet retaining its historic integrity, the Inn is known for fine Contemporary American food, which includes premium cuts of meat, a raw bar and seafood and outdoor dining on the flagstone patio is available by request. Hours: Monday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday brunch 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and dinner 5 p.m.–7 p.m.
Capone’s, 224 W. Germantown Pike, Norristown, PA; 610-279-4748 www.capones-pa.com. For over forty years Matt Capone and his family have provided the East Norriton area with great food at a great price.The restaurant is familyoriented with a touch of sports bar, primed with some of the best beer you can find in the region.Our extensive menu includes traditional pub fare, delicious entrees, and even a kids menu. For the beer connoisseur in all of us – take a moment and visit our Bottle Shop in the back of the restaurant to browse our incredible selection of beers from local micro breweries, domestic craft breweries, and international micro breweries.
Gourmet Seafood & Grill, Skippack Village, 4101 Skippack Pike, Schwenksville, PA; 484-681-0838; 484-991-8130; www.gourmet
seafoodgrill.com. Gourmet Seafood & Grill is a family owned Mediterranean cuisine destination with freshest seafood for all cuisine and delicious pastries. Culinary master Chef Jimmy uses his talents, knowledge and love for food to transform the space into a relaxed destination where you can experience the best of various cuisine flavors, spices and cooking techniques.With over 50 combined years of food and restaurant experience, the owners of Gourmet Seafood & Grill, are bringing a culinary adventure worthy of Skippack’s foodie’ community. Serving brunch and dinner, along with catering services, the Gourmet Seafood & Grill offers a varied menu rich in traditional Mediterranean favorites. From Bronzini to New York Strip, crab cakes, stuffed grape leaves and more, the menu is sure to have just the thing to entice your taste buds. For the less adventurous crowd, Gourmet Seafood & Grill also has burgers, pasta, salads and a kids menu! Dinner daily 5 p.m.–11 p.m. Lunch Tues.–Sun. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
DaVinci’s Pub, 217 East Main Street, Collegeville, PA., 19426, 610-831-1955www.Davincispub.com, davincispub @gmail.com Full Service, upscale, casual dining experience in a historical pub setting. Since 2007, DaVinci’s has been occupying the Historic, circa,1861, location of the Original Collegeville Inn. Lunch and Dinner menus that cut the edge of today’s food trends. Italian influenced Seafood, Pasta, Steaks and Veal selections are most popular. Creative appetizers, salads and house made desserts complete an exquisite meal. An Eighteen Craft Beer selection,Twenty Six bottle selection and a unique Martini and Specialty cocktail menu, starts off the evening.Wine is offered by the bottle along with a creative glass program featuring wine flights of your choice. Enjoy live entertainment every Friday and Saturday beginning at 9:30 pm. For up to date information, follow us on Facebook, Linkedin,Twitter, Instagram or our website: Davincispub.com. Hours of operation, 11:30 AM to 1:00 AM, Monday thru Thursday. 11:30 AM to 2:00 AM, Friday and Saturday. 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM on Sundays. S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 77
D I NI NG O U T G U I D E Gypsy Blu, 34 East Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA; 215-283-6080; . www.GypsyBluRestaurant.com. Upbeat & Lively Atmosphere with an Eclectic Menu that ranges from Small Plates to Delectable Entrees. Beautiful Patio. On-Site & Off-Site Catering. Full Bar. Serving lunch and dinner 7 Days a Week. Serving brunch every weekend. Hours: Monday & Tuesday Kitchen 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Bar until 12a.m.Wednesday & Thursday: Kitchen 11:30 am-10 p.m. Bar until 2 a.m. Friday: Kitchen 11:30–11 p.m. Bar until 2 a.m. Saturday: Kitchen 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Bar until 2 a.m. Sunday: Kitchen 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Bar until 12 a.m. Live music every Friday & Saturday. Reservations accepted. La Pergola, 726 West Ave, Jenkintown, PA; 215-884-7204 www.viewmenu.com. La Pergola’s international cuisine takes you to culinary fare around the Mediterranean.Testing the unique authentic dishes and appetizers, would make you feel as if you are sitting at a sidewalk cafe or restaurant in Tel Aviv or Athens.Enjoy contemporary cosmopolitan cuisine based on pure pleasure. La Pergola Restaurant offers healthy and delightful dishes from every corner of the Mediterranean.We offer casual fine dining at reasonable prices. Hours: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.–9 p.m. Ristorante San Marco, 504 Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, PA; 215-6545000; www.sanmarcopa.com. Dining in a 19th century schoolhouse on a small hill. San Marco’s regular menu emphasizes traditional dishes from Southern Italy and Sicily.There is a beautifully appointed piano bar featuring nightly live music. Private parties for special occasions. Open Mon.-Fri., 11:30a.m.–3 p.m., 5p.m.– 10p.m., Sat. 5p.m.–10p.m., closed on Sundays.
Joseph Ambler Inn, 1005 Horsham Rd, North Wales, PA 19454;215-362-7500; www.josephamblerinn.com. Exquisite cuisine, attention to detail, and an award-winning wine list com-
bine to make Joseph Ambler Inn one of the most popular places to dine in Eastern Pennsylvania. The restaurant’s random-width hardwood floors, handcrafted cherry tables,Windsor chairs and original, exposed stone walls create the ambiance for savoring a fine meal.Joseph Ambler Inn has earned a well-deserved reputation for its eclectic lunch and dinner menus, which offer many creative flourishes. Featuring only the finest quality fresh meats, fish, and produce, and seasonal herbs and vegetables, every dish is a delight. Hours. Lunch: Mon.–Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lite Fare Luncheon: Sat. & Sun. Noon to 4 p.m. Served in the JPUB-No Reservations Necessary. Dinner: Mon–Sat 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations suggested. Accepts all major credit cards.
Skippack Village Italian Market 4101 Skippack Pike Skippack 610-584-4050; http://www.skippackitalianmarket.com. Full service dining room and outdoor patio. Gourmet hoagies and salads, Specialty desserts, and Coffee bar. Homemade meatballs and roast pork, Italian Deli items.Wooden shelves fill the front room, packed full of the authentic Italian groceries, and packaged sweets that keep hungry visitors coming back.The Italian Market is a great place to have lunch, shop for groceries, or just browse for snacks. On and off site catering is available for any size function. Open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.– 7 p.m. Friday, Sat. to 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Tex Mex Connection, 201 E.Walnut St., North Wales, PA; 214-6999552; www.texmexconnection.com. Tex Mex Cuisine: Characterized by the adaptation of Mexican food by Texan cooks. Often exemplified by the extensive use of meats and spices (foreign and native) resulting in creative seafood dishes, great steaks, tender ribs, and juicy pork as well as our interpretation of standards like chile con queso, nachos and fajitas. Not Mexican, not Texan, just Tex-Mex. Dining Room: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Bar: 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
Al Alessio’ Alessio Alessi Aless Ales Ale Alessio’s Se Sea Seaf Seafo Seafoo Seafood S Gr Gri Gril Grill Grille G An Italian Touch
C ATERING
FOR ALL
O CCASIONS
Fresh Italian Seafood Delicious Appetizers and Flavorful Sauces Homemade Italian Specialties
C e l e b r a ttee S Spp e c i a l E v e n ttss a t S a n M Ma arco We Deliver Now
827 Easton Rd.,Warrington, PA 267.483.8500 / alessioseafoodgrille.com
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D I NI NG O U T G U I D E Villa Barolo Ristorante & Wine Bar, the corner of Route 611 and Bristol Road, 1373 Easton Road,Warrington, PA 18976; 215-491-9370; www.villa-barolo.com. Having almost 100 items on the menu with nearly 25 specials, everyday, Barolo serves fish and seafood, organic meats, pasta, chicken, and veal dishes and has a large raw bar. Named after an Italian wine, Villa Barolo boasts of having more than 100 wines in its wine cellar. Private parties and special events. Online menus. Hours: 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Monday– Thursday; 11:30 a.m.—11:30 p.m. Friday—Saturday, 2-10 p.m. Sunday. No reservations necessary. Major credit cards.
William Penn Inn, 1017 Dekalb Pike, Gwynedd, PA; 215-699-9272; www.williampenn.com. Established in 1714 as a public house, the William Penn is an historical venue based in the rich tradition of hospitality.The Inn is renowned for its dedication to a tradition of continental country dining in a relaxed, cordial atmosphere along with exquisite cuisine, fine wines, personal service and flawless coordination. Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m, Saturday 11:30 a.m–2:30 p.m. Dinner: Monday-Friday 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Saturday: 4:30 p.m.–11 p.m., Sunday Sunday: 2 p.m.–8 p.m. Sunday brunch 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Zakes Café, 444 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, PA; 215 654 7600; www.zakescafe.jimdo.com. Zakes Cafe is an American Fusion Restaurant featuring an innovative cuisine. It has been said of Zakes Cafe that they are a hidden Gem–an under the radar BYOB. Lunch–homemade soups, quiche, specialty salads & gourmet sandwiches. Dinner–warm and inviting, the pace is more relaxed and the menu has an eclectic American/Asian flair.The Dessert Case at the Cafe is worth the trip to Zakes on its own. Every day we feature a selection of our desserts individually sliced and in whole cake form for you to take home and enjoy. Zakes is open for dinner Wed–Sun, Breakfast and Lunch Monday–Saturday and Brunch on Sunday.
Looking to bring a little southern hospitality north of the Mason-Dixon Line? Look no further than Marsha Brown; the highest quality of fish, meat and poultry, and relaxed yet elegant surroundings. Lunch and Dinner Served Daily
15 S. Main St., New Hope, PA • 215.862.7044 www.marshabrownrestaurant.com
Homemade Pasta Specials
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Finale
What Friendship Displays If material impersonal causes are the ground of our being, and we are simply the result of random interactions of physical forces over time, how can we explain friendship? If the cosmos is not all there is, then Someone more powerful than the electromagnetic, weak, and strong force is at work—revealing grand purposes through our relationships with each other.
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