Local Living Magazine

LOCAL LIVING NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012

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features

22 Home for the Holidays 54 Rescue Me 36 “Top Chef ” Mike Isabella

good reads

16 Great reads for the littérateurs on your list!

travel

finance

109 TFG: Wills, Trusts, Beneficiary Forms: Who Rules?

gift guide

36 60

81 Black-eyed Susan Designs with Moxie 83 Dr. Robert J. Skalicky: Diminish Your Waistline Over Lunch

66 The hottest holiday & tech gadgets this year

84 St. Luke’s University Health Network: Tips on Beating Stress

44 Our Sommelier shares choice Champagnes that won’t pop your budget

72 Fashion that will make heads turn at every party

89 Dr. Kent Lane Mueller: Choosing the Right Practice

the fork-1-1

home

60 Cruising the Caribbean

wine cellar

50 Chef Walter Staib: America’s Culinary Cornerstone at Philadelphia’s City Tavern

cultural corner

99 Dickens’ Great Great Grandson Keeping Christmas Past Alive

senior perspective

105 Around the dinner table, gratitude brings everyone closer.

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Local Living November | December 2012

78 Deck the Halls with Simplicity

local goes local

112 A Smoky Mountain Christmas in Tennessee

profiles

18 Coffee Bean Direct roasting it fresh and sending it direct 62 Colonial Tile & Marble Outfits The Model Home

Local

Living

TM

L

ike an unexpected visit from an old friend, the holiday season comes bursting into our lives with a quickness we swear we’re never ready for, but soon realize, it’s just what we needed. Every year the world seems busier.

Technology hands us a new gadget that opens our lives to even more people to give our attention to. But here we are again, in the midst of the holiday hustle. The time where all the extra trimmings fall away, and you’re left with what’s always been most important. Family and friends are surrounding you once again to offer their warmth when the bite of the cold air hasn’t been so inviting. They’ve been with you through your challenges and cheered during your triumphs. Our family at Local Living is happy to say that we’ve had one triumphant year. You have all been the friends that have made that possible and so we graciously thank you. The upcoming year is already promising lots of new and exciting ventures we can’t wait to share. Happy Holidays!

Warren Media Group, Inc.

PUBLISHER Karen A. Lavery ART DIRECTOR Sherilyn Kulesh EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sharyl Volpe DIRECTOR OF SALES Blair W. Johnson EDITOR-LOCAL LIVING GREEN Stephanie Berardi FINANCE EDITOR Mark Fried FOOD EDITOR Kimberly Cambra PROFILE EDITOR Dava Guerin REAL ESTATE ADVISORS Peter Buchsbaum and Vincent Sirianni, Gateway Funding TRAVEL EDITOR Beth D’Addono

Karen A. Lavery Publisher

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Amy McDermott

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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Bleecher, Stephen Brown, Mike Hirata Photography, Greg Powers CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Diane Burns, Crissa DeBree, Crystal Connor, Kari Dimmick, Donna Dvorak, Georgina Ellis-Young, Drew Giorgi, Nick Hamner, Kevin J. Handy, Daurelle Golden Harris, Pattie Krukowski, Kathleen McNicholas, Michele Kawamoto Perry, Dr. Robert Skalicky, Holden Smith, Adam Soloff, Susan Taylor, Kieran Tebben, Candace Young INTERNS Kieran Tebben

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Local Living November | December 2012

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MEDICAL CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Kent Lane Mueller, D.D.S., G.P.R., Dr. Robert A. Lantzy, DMD, Dr. Robert J. Skalicky D.O., St. Luke’s University Health Network ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kathleen M. McNicholas Michael Shapiro MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS Kari Dimmick, Nick Hamner ACCOUNTING MANAGER Marge Rudzinski COURIER SERVICE Harrisburg News Company WARREN MEDIA GROUP, INC.

Headquarters 2045 Bennett Rd. | Philadelphia, PA 19116 Sales & Production 530 West Butler Ave. | Chalfont, PA 18914 Phone: (215) 257-8400 | Fax: (215) 464-9303 www.locallivingmag.com info@warrenmediagroup.com

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BLACK FRIDAY vs. CYBER

By Diane Burns

W

ith the holiday season upon us we find ourselves faced with the most frenzied hectic shopping days of the year. This is a time when gift buying is at the top of your holiday to-do list so my question to you is: “What type of shopper are you?”

Do you anxiously await the newspaper’s arrival on Thanksgiving morning? You know the one I mean, the one that contains pages and pages of sale circulars stuffed inside.

If so, sometime during the day you will furiously peruse all the ads searching for the best price of the special gifts you are looking to purchase. You may make a list of the priority item with the name of the store showing the lowest price and what time the store opens. Once you are prepared with your list, warmly dressed and wearing comfortable shoes, with money and credit cards in hand and a “go-get ‘em” attitude, you set out into the night.

The next thing you know it’s 11:59 pm and you are standing outside a store in a line that stretches around the block, your frenzied eyes staring and waiting for the doors to open.

Finally, it’s 12:01: Open Season. You and all those others in line with you rush through the narrow entrance, thus commencing the annual retail ritual. If this sounds familiar, then you are a “Black Friday” shopper. This is the time of the year you anxiously anticipate for 11 months. Although the lines get longer and the crowds get larger every year, you cannot resist the challenge of the hunt for the lowest price on the gifts you want, nay, the best price in the land. Once

MONDAY

acquisition and purchase is achieved you experience a feeling of extreme satisfaction and exhilaration. It is, however, short-lived as you bustle back out into the brisk night air to the next store.

On the other hand, you may be someone who can’t abide the frantic pace and large crowds of shopping in the stores and malls. Your idea of fun shopping is sitting in front of your computer with your lists. If you like to shop early in the day you may be still in your pajamas drinking a second cup of coffee.

You flex your fingers, take another sip of coffee and get started. If it’s later in the day, relax with a glass of wine, curl up with your laptop in the recliner, or maybe sit in bed, having returned to your comfy pjs. If this scenario appeals to you, then you are a “Cyber Monday” shopper.

Cyber Monday was organized to entice customers to purchase household items in the privacy of their own homes.

Since its inception in 2005, Cyber Monday has become the largest online shopping day of the year with sales of over $100 million.

Whether Black Friday or Cyber Monday is the shopping experience for you, remember the true meaning of the holiday is not in the gifts we buy but in the good will we demonstrate during the season. (Especially when you’re reaching for the same “last one” as your fellow hunter.)

Happy Holidays to all of you! LL Diane Burns is a writer currently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

November | December 2012 Local Living

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good reads Consider loading one of these treasures into your favorite bookworm’s stocking or Kindle this season.

THE CASUAL VACANCY

By J.K. Rowling

Reviewed by Good Reads.com When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils...Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations? The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults.

THE TIME KEEPER

By Mitch Albom Reviewed by Candace Young If you are already a fan of Mitch Albom, you won’t be disappointed with The Time Keeper. It will inspire you and it will motivate you to enjoy every moment life has to offer. (And it looks good on the coffee table.) As a child and into adulthood, Dor (Father Time-to-be) spends all of his hours trying to manipulate time. He is un16

Local Living November | December 2012

able to concentrate on anything else, which eventually leads to obsession; he is expelled from his community, family and friends. After thousands of years living alone in a cave, looking as he did when he was young, and listening to the laments of generations of strangers, all trying to either speed time up, slow it down or just plain stop it, Dor is finally offered his chance at freedom….

THE HUMMINGBIRD’S DAUGHTER & QUEEN OF AMERICA

By Luis Alberto Urrea Reviewed by Georgina Young-Ellis Though not officially recognized by the Catholic Church as a saint, many people of Mexican descent, both in Mexico and the U.S., know the name of Teresa Urrea, or Teresita, as a young woman of the late 1800s who cured hundreds with her herbs, remedies and even, some claim, with her own loving powers.

Urrea’s book is not some historical tome about his family. It is a fictional account, based on actual facts, of a young girl who started life as the illegitimate issue of a rich landowner, Tomás Urrea. It’s packed with humor, interesting information about the art of the “curandera,” the healer, of Mexican tradition, and images so vivid of

life in Sinaloa and Sonora, Mexico that you can smell and taste them.

Oh… and you’ll learn some excellent Spanish curse words too!

The sequel to The Hummingbird’s Daughter, Queen of America, also does not disappoint. In spite of numerous awards and stunning reviews, Urrea seems to be a kind of a literary secret. Do yourself a favor and invest in this writer.

THE HOBBIT

By J.R.R. Tolkien Reviewed by Holden Smith, age 12 With another epic film in the works, let’s not forget the original classic. The Hobbit is an actionpacked novel about a small person who goes on a big adventure. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit enjoying his life in his mountainside home until the day it gets turned upside down. Gandof and his dwarf friends take Bilbo on an amazing journey to steal back the gold from Smaug, the fearsome dragon.

The Hobbit is a great book, featuring a roller coaster ride of events. It is a mix of action and adventure that J.R.R. Tolkien writes with master detail and suspense, a classic adventure tale with a twist.

profile Coffee Bean Direct: From a Jersey Start Up to Internet Empire

By Nick Hamner

F

or some, it’s the only way to start the morning. For others, it’s a sure-fire way to get a break at work. But for everyone, coffee is probably from a big factory… and probably expensive… and probably not that fresh. Changing all that are the bean-loving folks at Coffee Bean Direct.

CBD got its start in the late ‘90s when founder Andrew Esserman became interested in the coffee business. First on borrowed equipment and later with a small coffee roaster in

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Local Living November | December 2012

Howell, NJ, Esserman began teaching himself how to roast the stuff. Through sheer will and a lot of cold calling, he began selling what he produced, and by 2004 the company went online with the help of then-coffee bagger/now Vice President Greg Shefler. Today, after more than a decade of consistent growth, the company is producing fresher coffee than its competitors at a lower price point and selling it directly through CoffeeBeanDirect.com.

The company was one of the first coffee producers to

embrace the Internet and currently offers the largest selection of fresh-roasted varieties of any other online retailer: over 90 flavors. Coffee ordered from CBD is usually roasted and shipped within one day, a feat Shefler attributes to his roasters.

He says, “I look at the spreadsheets and the daily orders, and what these guys do is like magic. I can’t wrap my head around how they keep everything so consistent and timely.” The hard work and long hours are facilitated through, and rewarded with, perks such as an ultra-casual, low-key work environment. Shefler notes, “The warehouse is full of guys decked out in tattoos and iPods,” and, “there’s a regular pack of employees’ dogs bounding through the office at any given time.”

Every order is made with beans sourced directly from

around the globe, including Indonesia, Kenya, and Costa Rica, with many meeting organic and fair trade certifications. Then, regardless of total size, each order is produced in small roasters; while taking longer to produce a finished product than the large-scale “everything-roasted-in-threeminutes” machines used by their competitors, smaller batches allow for greater quality control. “When you roast in large batches,” Shefler says, “there’s a higher initial investment, which makes it much harder for those guys to throw out a failed batch.” Small-scale roasting also allows the company to constantly experiment with flavors and techniques.

In addition to the stable of always-available roasts, like the ever-popular Colombian Supremo and Jamaican Me Crazy, CBD’s roastmaster develops and produces a unique, limited-run flavor each month, which in the past has included flavors like Maple Bacon and Chipotle Smoked. The caffeine-packed, sweet & salty-flavored Zombie Cure is an autumn favorite.

And now that it’s holiday season, these seasonal flavors will include Jingle Bell Java, Winterdoodle and Reindeer Fuel, to name a few. Should all of these fail to tempt your taste buds, the company can create custom flavors to order. For smaller orders, it’s as simple as calling in and requesting a peach-flavored coffee for your daughter’s peach-themed wedding and letting the company do their flavor-producing magic. For larger orders, such as cafés looking to outsource their house blends, the customer has much more input in the final product through months of collaboration. Among the more unusual custom flavor requests? Mountain Dew and Jelly Belly.

Shefler notes that the majority of CBD’s customers, whether they’re a typical coffee drinker or an independent café, are surprised by what fresh coffee tastes and smells like. “That smell that everyone associates with fresh-brewed coffee is actually the smell of stale coffee,” says Shefler. “Fresh coffee smells so much better than that, and it has such a rich taste that, even if you don’t drink black coffee, you can drink it black.”

Appetite properly intrigued? The coffees, plus more than 50 teas, can be ordered at CoffeeBean Direct.com or Amazon.com, and if you are near the warehouse, they will happily sell you some directly. LL

These smaller roasters allow Coffee Bean Direct to maintain high quality control measures.

Nick Hamner is an attorney and writer residing in Bucks County with his wife and daughter, sharing a cozy home with several dogs. In the past, he managed and edited a commercial real estate magazine and he most recently finished a lengthy stint at Thrillist.com.

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Home Holidays for the

By Kathleen McNicholas

November | December 2012 Local Living

23

ing month, and trade antidotes of past holiday catastrophes. For instance, have you ever had your oven break four hours into cooking a twenty-four pound turkey? While this could be a disaster, improvising a solution can provide the opportunity to involve other family members. For example, one fix is to grab your oldest brother and favorite cousin’s husband, get them to spark up the grill and spend the next few hours with flashlights and a bottle of Jameson while monitoring the popping of the little plastic timer which signifies chow time.

As for the accompanying side plates, thank goodness for microwaves! Furthermore, get the children involved. Note to reader: child labor laws are suspended on such days as this.

Get them to set and clear the table, and if old enough, throw them rubber dish gloves and a sponge. Thanksgiving is the perfect day for them to write their holiday gift lists.

The best part of it all is at the end of the day, your tummies are filled and you can look around the table surrounded by friends and family and truly feel thankful for the gifts of love and companionship you bring to each other’s lives. Including, yes, even your sisterin-law, the one who will never approve of your choice of haircut.

Twenty-seven. The number of extra-large Rubbermaid containers that harbor a fourdecade collection of holiday decorations deemed priceless and indisposable by my mother. While most of these contain what I consider junk (such as the four bins of garland I recognize through past holiday photos

A

h the holidays! What a glorious time of year. It’s filled with smiles, laughter, tipping scales, drained bank accounts and refills of blood pressure medication. While these realities are unavoidable for most, the other constants of the season provide us with a connection to our family, our community, and an understanding of self. Weeks of meticulous planning and sleepless nights inevitably end with one truth: Wherever we are, whomever we are with, the kindest hearts come home for the holidays.

Party planning is both a highlight and a nightmare for the two months we refer to as the holiday season. Thanksgiving is a collection of great food, testy in-laws, and a group of men whose contribution to the day include how many beer cans they can empty during the first quarter of the football game. Stress is often a side dish to days like this, but don’t allow it to spoil the overall spirit of the day. Mothers, daughters, sisters and cousins can gather in the kitchen to discuss which recipes for sweet potatoes are the favorites, which gifts to give the children the follow-

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Local Living November | December 2012

Stress is often a side dish to days like this, but don’t allow it to spoil the overall spirit of the day. Mothers, daughters, sisters and cousins can gather in the kitchen to discuss which recipes for sweet potatoes are the favorites, which gifts to give the children the following month, and trade antidotes of past holiday catastrophes.

circa 1974 which I refuse to wield throughout the house for no other reason than fear of dust mites), there are a few containers that protect gems of my siblings’ childhoods and mine. These include the Popsicle reindeer ornaments and the gold painted macaroni candleholders which no longer bare the glitter of their original design.

Decorating for the holidays presents a wonderful opportunity to create traditions and long-lasting family affairs.

Children love to get dirty with arts and crafts and there are thousands of projects one can introduce. Cotton ball created snowmen can thrill a four year old. Just make sure he or she puts the glue on the construction paper and not the cotton ball; you can imagine the mess otherwise. Connections made with loved ones when creating and decorating can last a lifetime. Often families choose specific days to put up holiday decorations. The Festival of Lights

is time sensitive, so designate a specific time to light the Menorah as a family. Trade compliments with each other while opening the evening’s gift, and remember your family members who are not able to be with you and the heritage you are a part of. If trimming the tree is a timehonored day in your clan, be prepared for certain truths.

More than one ornament will be broken, especially if toddlers are involved. The more eggnog your father imbibes, the less enjoyable is his rendition of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. Be sure to use extra care and pay attention when stringing the lights as you run the risk of putting them on backwards resulting in not only twisting them off but twisting yourself into the tree and emerging with a scratched cornea.

What are the holidays without shopping and gift giving?

Which reminds me: there has only been one place and time

November | December 2012 Local Living

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in my life when I seriously considered physically harming an octogenarian: at the Charter Club cashmere sweater bin during a one-day Macy’s sale. It was the beginning of December and I crawled out of bed five hours earlier than my sanity requires in order to cash in coupons and that year’s collection of gift cards to purchase my girlfriend the perfect holiday gift. There I was digging through the odd sizes and irregular rejects when I came upon it. Do you know how difficult it is to find a size small, undamaged, powder blue cashmere sweater that is not ribbed? I had been victorious, and just as I was about to claim my prize, a coiffed assailant with uneven orange lipstick who reeked of Shalimar surprised me on my right flank. “This is perfect for my granddaughter,” she said as her bony hands suddenly reached for my perfect find.

Next thing I knew I was in the throes of a heated tug-o-war with grandma hanging over an 8x8 plastic bin with one of the cashmere sleeves in each of our clawed hands. In a flash it hit me, my mother’s voice in the back of my head reminding me that this is not a Christian-like attitude. I reluctantly released the garment, conceded my defeat, and proceeded to choose another sweater for my friend.

Nine months later, I witnessed aforementioned friend assist her three year old with blowing his nose into said sweater.

What’s the lesson? Holiday gifts are just things unless they are purchased or created and bestowed with the spirit of generosity that is the very essence of the season. Do the best you can with what you have. It would be delightful to give a child the hot new item of the year, but at what expense? Overspending may provide joy at the moment you see the wrapping paper being ripped open, but is that moment worth the sacrifice of being able to comfortably afford the necessities during later months? Is it worth risking your health in order to flip out on the check out girl because she can’t find the purchase code for the untagged item in your cart? I understand, it is difficult to tune into the virtue of patience when one is stressed, hungry and sleep-deprived, but I beg you, step back a moment, take a deep breath, and don’t lose sight of what is important. There are plenty of other opportunities to lose your mind. One of these is at three in the morning on Christmas Eve when you can’t find the scissors or the Scotch tape.

While the holidays hold a different meaning for us all, one unfortunate unifying truth is the knowledge that there are people who will go without. It is important to do our best in support of relieving this reality in our communities, even if it is in the smallest gesture. Charity and alms have been an important part of the holiday season in most cultures for centuries. You could volunteer giftwrapping services to raise money for a non-profit, or collect non-perishable items from your neighbors to donate to a local larder. Start a coldweather clothing drive. If you are one who is limited on time but abundant with means, break out the checkbook or visit

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Local Living November | December 2012

a toy store and surprise some children with gifts they would otherwise not have a chance to play with.

It is most likely that parties, decorating and shopping will occupy a significant chunk of your time during these last few months of the year. Take the good with the bad, do the best with what you have, and remember that it’s generosity, compassion and gratitude that make it home wherever you are.

No Matter Where You Go…

While entertaining at home is a common way to celebrate with friends and family during the holidays, sometimes it’s nice to go somewhere new and leave the hosting to others.

There are many communities throughout Pennsylvania and bordering states that capture the spirit of the season, some of which transport you to past eras so you may enjoy the holidays as they did centuries ago. Travel with your family and experience the spirit and cheer these towns have to offer.

Lahaska, PA The intersection of Rt 202 and Rt 263 is home to Peddler’s Village. This quaint New England style neighborhood hosts an annual Christmas Festival and Gingerbread Competition and Display. Enjoy holiday shopping in over 70 stores or dine in one of six restaurants. www.peddlersvilliage.com Bethlehem, PA Christmas Town USA is rich in Polish, Czech and Mora-

Williamsburg, VA

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Local Living November | December 2012

There are many communities throughout Pennsylvania and bordering states that capture the spirit of the season, some of which transport you to past eras so you may enjoy the holidays as they did centuries ago. Travel with your family and experience the spirit and cheer these towns have to offer.

vian traditions. Old world European charm and multiple seasonal events enhance the holiday fun in this popular Pennsylvanian town.

Visitors can attend different performances, including A Christmas Carol by Gerald Dickens, the great, great grandson of the author Charles Dickens. (Check out this issue’s Cultural Corner.) More information can be found at the Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center, 505 Main Street, Bethlehem. www. christmascity.org Lancaster, PA Picture snow-draped covered bridges and candlelit homes. Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a beautiful destination during the holidays.

The downtown market and family fun attractions make this county the perfect choice for all. Witness the original German custom of decorating and lighting the tree or learn about Belsnickle, the Dutch version of Santa Claus.

Couples and families alike will enjoy this getaway. www.padutchcountry.com Williamsburg, VA When visiting here, one is immersed in a living American history. Christmas in 1700’s Virginia is similar to the two preluding centuries in England. Early colonists celebrated with 12th Night balls, foxhunts and family feasts. Present holiday celebrations combine the customs of the past with a modern-day twist. Kick off the season with the Grand Illumination Celebration or take a carriage ride through one of our country’s oldest cities.

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Mystic, CT

Travel to nearby Virginia Beach and drive the twenty-fiveblock boardwalk covered with nautical and holiday light displays. www.colonialwilliamsburg.com Cape May, NJ Victorian Era Christmas visits Cape May every year. There are a wide variety of activities, holiday tours, wine tastings and art exhibits throughout the season. Enjoy a self-guided tour through town or take the trolley down Beach Avenue to view exquisite mansions. Visitors can choose from several Bed and Breakfasts if they prefer an extended stay. www. capemaymac.org Winterthur, DE A short drive south of Philadelphia is Winterthur.

Founded by Henry Francis du Pont, this magnificent museum is the premier display of American Decorative Arts. The 60-acre naturalist garden is a pleasant site, snow covered during the Yuletide season. There is plenty of dining and shopping for visitors to enjoy, and activities include Family Floral Arranging and Breakfast with Santa. www.

Winterthur.org.

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Local Living November | December 2012

Mystic, CT The yuletide season can be magical in the waterfront village of Mystic. Famous for its aquarium, and for the younger cult classic movie lover, its pizza, this New England retreat is a perfect way to relax during the crazy time we call the holidays. Mystic Seaport’s Lantern Light Tours provides guided tours of the town, presenting it as it was in the late 19th century. Take time this December to visit sailors in port, old world taverns and bask in the glow of hundreds of lanterns that light the way and can light up your heart. www.mysticseaport.org Washington, DC Did you know in 1978 a live Colorado blue spruce was transported from York, Pennsylvania, planted on the Ellipse in the south lawn of the White House and is the National Christmas Tree lit every year since? The Pathway of Peace includes this spectacle along with 56 smaller trees representing the 50 states, 5 territories and the District of Columbia. Local music groups perform for visitors here nightly throughout December. Close by is the National Hanukkah Menorah and is viewed by many as a celebration of religious freedom and hope. www.thedistrict.com

Candles a Gourmet Food a Holiday Design a Garden Gifts

Jewelry a Vera Bradley a Collectibles a Baby a Ornaments a Decorated Trees a Holiday Plants a Floral Arrangements

���������������������������������������

...Your Local Wonderland of Inspiration

Visit with Santa

(Don’t forget your camera)

��������������������������������������� � � �

1134 Bustleton Pike • Feasterville, PA 19053 215.322.4300 • www.feeneys.com Holiday Hours: Monday - Saturday 8am to 9pm • Sunday 9am to 6pm

Everything You Need For Your Fireplace

Glass Fireplace Enclosures

Gas Fireplace Logs

We also carry a full line of:

Bring Your Exact Opening Size to...

Gas Logs Bellows Solid Brass Tool Sets Andirons Log Carriers & Hoops Cap Cod Lighters Spark Guards Screens Grates

GRATES & GRILLS INC. 105 S. Main Street, Rt. 313 Between Doylestown & Quakertown DUBLIN, PA 18917 215-249-0182 Mon. thru Fri. 9-6; Sat. 9-5; Sun. Closed www.gratesandgrills.com 32

Local Living November | December 2012

STORE NOW OPEN TUESDAY - THURSDAY 10 am - 5 pm FRIDAY, SATURDAY 10 am - 8 pm SUNDAY 12 pm - 4 pm

nutrition

Your Intuitive Appetite with Crystal Connor Healthy Holiday Living

H

olidays and food bring people together. Whether you’re the hostess or a guest, making healthier choices is possible while enjoying the season’s festivities. Simple alternatives or additions can make the difference in any occasion.

Become the Healthy Holiday Hostess: A balanced menu offers the favorite holiday traditions with a healthier flare and more whole foods. Pairing the good with the not so bad leaves everyone satisfied. Review your menu looking for recipes that are highly processed or loaded with saturated fats. Avoid reduced fat or imitation products as they contain twice the sodium and more sugar than the regular product, adding more stabilizers and artificial ingredients. Sour cream, mayonnaise and butter are among the traditional holiday favorites and can be easily substituted.

A simple healthier alternative for sour cream or mayonnaise is Greek 0% Fage Yogurt, a high-quality dairy product providing more protein and less sugar with real ingredients.

Almost all classic holiday baking recipes call for butter.

You can substitute butter for healthy oil using the same measurement as you would for butter. Grape seed oil or sunflower oil are healthier alternatives that won’t change the flavor. When substituting oil for butter in non-baked goods, olive oil or coconut oil is a better option.

Always choose recipes made with whole foods and less processed ingredients. Provide a colorful vegetable tray paired with hummus or dollop fresh ingredients on cucum-

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Local Living November | December 2012

ber slices in place of crackers. Choose lettuce to wrap appetizers in place of bacon or breads. Provide fresh nuts or fruits with dark chocolate for a healthier sweet treat. Add a fresh green salad to your main course with an olive oil and balsamic dressing. Choose fresh fish or local meat as a main protein.

Become the Satisfied Guest: Taking the time to enjoy a nice meal the day of the party will allow you to focus on the friends and family you will spend your time with rather than focusing on what is to eat. Going to a party ravished always makes it harder to make healthier choices.

When maneuvering the buffet, look for colorful whole foods without sauce, choose a protein and load up on the green salad or veggies. If you’re attending a party with family and friends bring a healthy dish, giving you an option as back up. Skip the bread and maybe even enjoy a little desert at the end. LL Crystal Connor is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor (CHHC), a health & nutrition coach & “Farm to Table” private caterer. She currently resides with her family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Indoor / Outdoor Adventure Boot Camp FOR WOMEN

• CIRCUIT TRAINING • OBSTACLE COURSES • KETTLE BELL TRAINING • STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE TRAINING • NUTRITION COUNSELING

ENLIST NOW! LOSE 10 LBS. LOSE 2 - 3 INCHES IN YOUR MID - SECTION FEEL GREAT AND LOOK YOUR BEST! PERSONAL ONE ON ONE TRAINING AND SMALL GROUP TRAINING AVAILABLE. Small Group Training - 9am - 10am & 6pm - 7pm (call for details) WHERE : BUCKINGHAM FRIENDS SCHOOL • RTE 202 • LAHASKA , PA WHEN: November 5 - November 16 (2 week mini camp)

November 26 - December 21 (4 week camp)

10% discount for new campers

Monday - Wednesday - Friday (5:30am - 6:30am)

For details and registration go to www.doylestownbootcamp.com or call 908-268-6414.

what’s cooking

Cooking at the Top

by Crissa DeBree

enjoying success on Bravo’s “Top chef ” and opening his own winning restaurants in d.c. is just the beginning for chef mike Isabella.

T

Marcus Samuelsson’s Washington Square.

From Philadelphia he moved to Atlanta, where he joined the Greek restaurant Kyma. He picked up more skills traveling through Greece and the Middle East.

Isabella joined Top Chef ’s sixth season in 2009, where he squared off against stiff competition like Philadelphia resident Jen Zavala (the first to be eliminated) and brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Isabella made it through 10 challenges before being voted off the show by its judges.

Working alongside chefs like the Voltaggio brothers, who owned their own restaurants, was a learning experience, Isabella said.

“Going on the show opened my eyes to the level of where I was at and my resume,” he said. “It changed my cooking style a bit. And the future of my career. It changed the way I thought and it opened up a ton of doors.”

Isabella returned to television in 2011 for “Top Chef: All Stars,” making it all the way to the finals. He narrowly lost to chef Richard Blais.

But his career was on a winning track. His performance on All Stars paved the way for Isabella’s first restaurant, the Mexican-inspired Bandolero. Earlier this year he opened Italian eatery Graffiato, and he plans a Greek restaurant and a sandwich shop in the near future.

In addition to opening more restaurants, Isabella hopes to go national with Graffiato. He wouldn’t rule out another TV appearance, but he’s hesitant to take any time away from his new restaurants.

“Top Chef did everything and more that I could possibly ask for,” he said. “It’s been a blessing. It’s been amazing.” LL Crissa DeBree is a writer based in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Below: Roasted baby carrot salad, farrow, saba, lardo Wood oven charred octopus, corn, potato, pea tendrils

Photography by Greg Powers

he tough-talking, tattooed chef cooked his way into everyone’s hearts and kitchens on “Top Chef,” Bravo TV’s fast-paced cooking competition. Two successful restaurants have made him part of Washington, D.C.’s burgeoning restaurant scene. And now, Isabella is taking on a new challenge: He’s published his very first cookbook, “Mike Isabella’s Crazy Good Italian,” which hit the shelves in September.

Not bad for an Italian-American kid from Bergen County, NJ, who spent much of his career cooking in other people’s kitchens.

Isabella has become known for his simple cuisine that marries Mediterranean, Italian and Latin influences learned at home and at some of the country’s finest restaurants.

“Crazy Good Italian” includes all of those influences, serving up 200 recipes families can make every day, with dishes like ricotta with charred scallion and harissa, chicken wings with pepperoni sauce (a familiar dish to Top Chef fans) and his grandmother’s potato gnocchi.

“It’s a dream to write a cookbook,” Isabella said.

The 37-year-old chef grew up eating his mother’s Mediterranean-influenced vegetarian cooking and his grandmother’s homey Italian. It was his grandmother, in fact, who first introduced him to the joy of cooking.

“The first time I rolled a meatball was with my grandmother,” he said. “That’s what got me interested in cooking.

I wasn’t a kid who liked to sit down and be still. I really enjoyed it. And obviously I loved to eat, too.”

Isabella left his family’s North Jersey home when he was 19, and a few years later headed to New York to attend the city’s famed Restaurant School.

He cooked his way through some of New York’s finest restaurants before heading to Philadelphia, where he served as a sous chef at Alma de Cuba and a host of other Stephen Starr restaurants. At El Vez, he learned Latin cuisine under Jose Garces. He went on to become executive sous chef of

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Main Street Doylestown’s Most Unique Family BYOB, featuring Caribbean fair that is prepared fresh each day from authentic recipes! Proud to be family-owned and operated, visit and enjoy.

• Self Service Yogurt Bar • Family Games and Wi-Fi • Great Party Space for Holiday Gatherings • Off-site Catering Find your “Sweet Spot”.

33 N Main Street, PA. (267) 247-5912 www.sweetspotdoylestown.com

eggnog panettone pudding Ingredients: 1 Scar Pier or Scarpato Panettone or Pandoro 3 whole eggs and 3 egg yolks ¾ cup sugar 2 cups half & half 1 ½ cups eggnog ¼ cup rum 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg vegetable cooking spray

From the Kitchens of Casa Casale in Lahaska, Pennsylvania The perfect mouth-watering end to the holiday meal… Just when you thought you could not possibly have another bite, the wonderful sweet aroma beckons you to take the holiday cheer to an all-time high. Panettone dates back to the 15th century. The best Panettone/Pandoro hails from the northern area of Italy near Veneto and Milan, and wistful romantic legends surround the origins of this holiday bread. Start your own family tradition and visit Casa Casale to make unique holiday table memories this season!

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Local Living November | December 2012

Cooking Instructions: Pre-heat oven to 475 With a serrated knife, remove the side crusts of Panettone.

Cut remaining Panettone into 1 inch cubes to yield 5 cups.

In a bowl, thoroughly whisk together the eggs, yolks, sugar, half & half, eggnog, rum, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Pour mixture over the cubes and mix gently.

Spray a baking pan and put your mixture into the pan. Creating a water bath: add boiling water to one size larger baking dish.

Carefully place Panettone pan into water bath. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until top is nicely browned and a toothpick comes out clean. Serve with syrup, ice cream, or whipping cream.

Buon Appetito

Kelchner’s Tartar Sauce

For the best dressed seafood.

Traditional Uses - Perfect complement to “fish and chips” - Serve with crab cakes - Originated as a sauce for steak tartare - Complement to grilled or baked fish

Out of the Ordinary Uses Grilled salmon with Kelchner’s Tartar Sauce.

One bite and you’ll be hooked.

Kelchner’s Horseradish Products 1-800-424-1952 www.besthorseradish.com

- Mix into tuna or chicken salad recipes - Dab on cooked green vegetables - Great on grilled cheese sandwiches - Delicious on batter fried cheese curds - Serve with hamburgers and dip with French fries - Mix with Kelchner’s hot mustard to make a creamy spicy spread

November | December 2012 Local Living

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profile

Saffron Indian Kitchen Knows Magic

By Sharyl Volpe

F

or seven years my husband and I lived the same number of floors above an Indian restaurant in NYC on the Upper East Side. During those years, I often wondered if everyone else in the building loved Indian food as much as we did since you’d have to relocate if you didn’t. The unmistakable smell of the charcoal tandoor grill, sweet curry and basmati rice occupied the hallways, stairwells and lobby like an invisible, permanent neighbor.

Having patronized many Indian restaurants, we have experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. Often the dishes all taste the same or the ingredients aren’t fresh or homemade. Finding a gem I’d recommend in these parts has been a challenge. Until recently, that is. I am happy to announce that if you like Indian cuisine, or have always wanted to try it, Saffron Indian Kitchen is the place to go. It doesn’t matter

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Local Living November | December 2012

if you are afraid of the spicy reputation these dishes have or if you can’t get enough of that life-affirming tingle on the taste buds, Saffron will cater to your palate. Feel free to ask about what you see on the menu and let your server know what you like and what you don’t know. This operation takes pride in pleasing its curious customers.

Owner Rahul Bhatia greeted us at the Bala Cynwid location. His wife can be found managing their other location in Ambler. Whichever location you visit, keep in mind that the whole family can enjoy the experience since there are menu selections for the younger set too. Expand your child’s developing taste buds with mildly spiced chicken or lamb. In the very least, traditional Indian breads, such as rogini naan (crispy and buttery) or lachha paratha (layered whole wheat buttered bread) are sure to be winners.

Since Saffron Indian Kitchen is BYOB, a variety of bottles adorned the tables in the bustling dining room. The space is not large, but neatly appointed in shades of curry with black accents.

The spice saffron is produced by a class of crocus. Because each flower’s stigmas need to be collected by hand and there are only a few per flower, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It has been used for over four millennia. Saffron Indian Kitchen takes its namesake seriously by wielding this treasure with magical, masterful blending. In combinations that will make your dining experience an adventure, every dish we enjoyed featured fantastically complex flavors.

For starters, a mixed platter of classic vegetable samosa, onion bhajia and several chicken kaathi rolls were served. Samosas are homemade pastry turnovers stuffed with curry-flavored diced potatoes and peas and then baked or deep-fried.

The bhajia is a kind of fritter, similar to a deep-fried hash brown, with shredded sweet onions. The wrapped kaathi rolls were aromatic with charcoaled brown speckles in the thin homemade bread. The diced chicken inside was grilled and mixed with sautéed onions, tomatoes and a blend of special spices that, though mild, were unquestionably of another world. When prepared and arranged with this kind of care, exploring a plate is more like discovering the contents of a pirate’s treasure chest. Among the other jewels was chatpata murg, chicken tenders marinated in hung yogurt and spiced with coriander, ginger and cumin powder, then baked to perfection in the charcoal clay oven. The perfect compliment to all of this is the side dishes of chutney. You must take a taste of some with every bite of everything else to achieve the classic Indian effect of full dimensional flavor. The standard selections are thick sauces made primarily of tamarind, coconut, coriander, or capsicum. Our server brought two: mint and sweet tamarind.

Yogurt is another traditional element that you may not immediately associate with Indian cuisine. Rounding out the tang of all of the spice perfectly is mango lassi, my favorite of all the types. It is most commonly found in India and Pakistan

though it is gaining popularity worldwide. It is made from yogurt, water and, in this case, mango pulp. Fruits can vary.

Our main courses were served in a myriad of plates and bowls arranged on our table top with serious intention. The centerpiece was a hot iron platter atop a darkened wooden tray. The enveloping aroma alone from this magnificent combination of filets, or tikka, anchored my senses completely, instantly transporting me back to the Upper East Side. It was pure delight.

The salmon filet special was exquisite, delicate and flaky and smoked from the charcoal. It was unadorned and simply served. The chicken masala was bathed in a sweet tomatobased red sauce that most reminded me of, surprisingly, vodka sauce; it was a nice twist on the classic. (The paprika did it.)

The lamb, another Indian menu standard, was represented by kadai gosht masala: tender cubes of lamb sautéed with red onions, bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes, all of this tempered with fenugreek ginger and coriander leaves. This kind of ginger is produced mainly in India; its seeds and leaves (dried or fresh), are used in a wide variety of dishes. It is often roasted to counterbalance its bitterness, which is not unpleasant but balancing rather.

The last few morsels on the platter, still warm from the iron plate were tandoori chicken and malai tikka. The tandoori chicken is prepared 24 hours ahead of time, marinating in a masala yogurt and then baked in the tandoor oven. The malai is also made of chicken marinated but this one in sour cream and baked over a charcoal flame. The spices on both, again, were combined with a genius that allowed every flavor to stand on its own yet harmonize with all the rest, producing a tingling, sweeping effect across the tongue. The marinade process guaranteed the tenderness, and the oven’s flames brought a warm, earthy grounding to the event.

I mustn’t leave out the rice. Even the basmati released a bouquet of fragrant, distinctive flavors in tender perfection. And the dessert followed in the foot steps of all that was served before it: the rice pudding was just sweet enough and the pistachios dotting the top were fresh and in just the right amount.

For more information visit www.saffronofphilly.com or call (484) 278-4112. Monthly specials are updated online, so check them out. LL Sharyl Volpe is the Editor-in-Chief at Local Living Magazine.

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Come get to know us!

Traditional Italian Specialties Imported Olive Oils, Vinegars & More Full Service Deli Prepared Meals – Homemade Soups Order your Holiday Gift Baskets & Catering Now!

1259 Souderton Rd. (Rt 113) Blooming Glen, Pa 18911 (215) 453-5941 www.pasqualinas.biz

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Bananas Foster French Toast Bananas foster syrup 1 1/2 cups good quality maple syrup 2 tablespoons butter 4 bananas, peeled, halved, and sliced lengthwise 1 tablespoon dark rum French Toast 6 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 1/2 cup heavy cream 6 tablespoons butter 8 slices French bread, preferably a few days old

www.marshabrownrestaurant.com

Looking to bring a little southern hospitality north of the Mason-Dixon Line? Look no further than Marsha quality Brown Marsha Brown’s; the highest of fish, meat and poultry, and relaxed 215.862.7044 yet elegant surroundings.

Lunch and Dinner Served Daily refined creole kitchen & loUnGe

15 S., Main Street, new hope, PA 18938 DINNER Mon-thurs ... 5 pm - 10 pm fri ................ 5 pm - 11 pm Sat ............... 4:30 pm - 11 pm Sun............... 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm

LUNCH 7 days a week 11:30 am - 5 pm

looking to bring a little southern hospitality north of the Mason-dixon line? look no further than Marsha Browns; the highest quality of fish, meats and fowl, and relaxed yet elegant surroundings.

15 S. Main St., New Hope, PA 18938 215.862.7044 | www.marshabrownrestaurant.com

November | December 2012 Local Living

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to all wine lovers. Thankfully, one can now find many great Champagnes to comfortably fit one’s holiday budget. Before you make your purchase, here are a few tips on Champagne: Primary grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Most Champagne is made from two or more of these varieties.

Blanc de Blancs: Made strictly of Chardonnay grapes.

Blanc de Noirs: Made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier or a combination of the two.

N.V. (non-vintage): Most Champagne is made of wine from multiple vintages and is blended to produce a similar, winery signature style of wine year after year. Only in exceptional vintages will a producer make single vintage Champagne. These are typically much more expensive due to the limited quantity and excellent quality.

Taittinger Brut La Francaise, Reims, France, N.V. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend. Light gold in color. Fine bubble streams. Lemon, white peach, quince, a hint of almond flower and toasty notes.

Medium bodied with crisp acidity and a streak of minerality. Comme c’est bon! Price: $44

Celebrate in Style

(Without Brea king the Ba nk)

By Michele Kawamoto Perry

W

hen it comes to the holidays, no other wine says celebration like Champagne. It’s a wine of mystique and allure. Champagne has captivated consumers for centuries: from the grand ceremonial pop while uncorking the bottle to the slow pouring in long, slender glasses, to the elegant strands of rising bubbles through golden liquid, to the first sip of this magical elixir…. It’s simply divine!

Whether it’s members of the royal families, aristocrats or Hollywood’s most famous celebrities, Champagne has been the coveted drink of the elite. In recent times, however, Champagne has become more accessible 44

Local Living November | December 2012

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, Reims, France, N.V. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier blend. Light golden color. Delicate stream of bubbles. Exhibits baked apple, white grapefruit and brioche on nose. Aroma notes are echoed on the palate with a nougat-like finish. Medium to full-bodied with a creamy finish. Delicieux! Price: $39 Pol Roger, Epernay, France, N.V. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier blend. Medium canary gold with very fine bubble streams. Aromas of white flowers, lemon, d’Anjou pear and hazelnuts. Green apple, raw almond, and quince flavors with a lemon meringue finish. Light to medium-bodied with citrus-tinged finish. Price: $42 Michele Kawamoto Perry is a wine industry veteran, sommelier, and international wine educator.

Michele is a Certified Sommelier and instructor through the International Sommelier Guild, and co-owner of Rouge-Bleu winery in southern Rhone, France. She received her MBA from Bordeaux Business School with a focus on the wine industry, and her BA from Harvard University.

November 17 – Bonfire Come join us as we end our 2012 season.

12-4 PM • $10/adults, $5/children Includes all your favorite roast your own: hotdogs, sausages, s’ mores, marshmallows and a warm Alpine Spice and hot chocolate.

The bonfire is weather permitting – please call if weather is questionable.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the winery at 610-294-9181

December 8 & 9 – Alpine Spice weekend

Celebrate the season with some warm Alpine Spice and some savory foods.

Times and ticket info to be released soon – be sure to watch our website for more information.

Sand Castle Winery

755 River Road • Erwinna, PA 18920 (610) 294-9181 info@sandcastlewinery.com www.sandcastlewinery.com

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Specializing in fresh seasonal meals, with ingredients from local growers, for healthy dining for individuals, families and events.

437 Alden Ave. • Morrisville, PA 215-847-5707 comfortfoodlive.blogspot.com comfortfood1@yahoo.com

IT’S THE KIND OF BURGER YOU’D MAKE AT HOME. Our ingredients are fresh, sustainable, and local when practical. Nothing on our menu contains trans-fat, and each Elevation Burger restaurant grinds its beef on the premises to ensure freshness and quality.

ph: 215.659.1008 | www.elevationburger.com Elevation Burger at Willow Grove Point • 3945 Welsh Road • Willow Grove, PA Elevation Burger at Collegeville • 201 Plaza Drive • Collegeville, PA

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Local Living November | December 2012

We at Trōmpa are passionate about wine, its tradition, and the dedicated people that make it. Our goal is to share our enthusiasm with everyone that stops in to visit by offering an ever changing selection of interesting and unique wines by the glass, small plates, cheeses, craft beers, and top shelf liquors without having to travel over an hour into the city to experience them in a fun and eclectic atmosphere.

Gift Card Special $100 gift card for $90 Book Your Holiday

or Corporate Parties

or Gatherings Here!

Experience The World With Us One Glass at a Time

Wine ~ Small Plates ~ Cheese ~ Craft Beer nd beyond!Mon. – Thurs. 4:00 pm to Midnight • Fri. – Sat. 2:00 pm to 1:00 am • Sun. 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm

46 East State Street, Doylestown • Down Market Way Alley • (267) 247-5285 • www.trompawinebar.com

profile

Steam Pub Knows How to Build It Up

By Sharyl Volpe

T

he first time I walked into Steam Pub, the person behind the bar looked like a rock star in a cocktail lab. Tall, lanky and dressed in black, he was mixing half a dozen ingredients for a martini with the intention of a man on a mission. The final touch of peaked whipped cream matched the spikes of his sandy brown hair.

It was quite a production.

This level of performance comes naturally to Martin Hoeger, one of the four owners of the operation that had a cult following before it even opened its doors this past summer. The “fans” came in such droves that they ran dry before the first weekend came to a triumphant close.

“Running a restaurant is a lot like being in a band,” Martin explains. At the tender age of 18 he and his band, Trip 66, had already landed a record contract on the Ruffhouse label 48

Local Living November | December 2012

and were building a following well outside their Southampton, PA origins.

Situated like an island in the middle of the Southampton business district, the former train station hasn’t had an engine come past in awhile. No matter. Step inside and you will feel like you’ve gone somewhere else. The décor combines polish for business, art for creating, and shadows for dancing. Steam Pub sets the stage for all three scenes with panache. Provocative original canvases and photos are wellspaced throughout (and for sale), and the tables are arranged in comfortable groups and lines. Live music is a staple and there’s a stage for bands or the DJ, depending on the night.

So how did the restaurant’s reputation precede it? Think ‘cult of personality’. Martin responds: “I grew up around here, and I’ve worked around here all my life. People knew

Pu mpkin Pie Martini 1 oz salted karamel vodka 1.5 oz pumpkin spice liqueur 1 oz rum chata .5 oz pumpkin cream liqueur 2 dashes cinnamon syrup

Photography: Jason Bleecher

caramel glazed glass brown sugar rim whipped cream sprinkle of cinnamon

me and my family, knew the band, and then they saw me at all the places I worked in, or managed.” Martin, among other duties, also managed his own location of the Big Heads, another popular spot in the area. After Trip 66 dissolved, Martin became a member of Illinois in 2004, another band that also had a loyal following. Performing has been a constant, and so has marketing. A massive online campaign was launched to keep everyone up to date on the progress with the new restaurant.

“I knew I’d own and run a place someday. My partners have been friends of mine for years. When the time was right, everything just fell into place.” Martin grew up seeing the landmark that Steam currently inhabits, “but when the last tenants vacated, that’s when I saw it for the first time.”

During that same weekend, partner Michael Breslin (the Chef ) was on the other side of town sketching floor plans on a cocktail napkin for the same building. They’d both seen the FOR RENT sign. It was just a matter of time before they put two and two together, and brought in Gene Agnew (a Big Heads connection) and Paul “Tubby” Kushner (from the Kenny’s days), and voila. Three bartenders and a chef make it happen.

OH, and the martini I walked in on… I could tell you that the food is far beyond ordinary pub food, and I could tell you that Chef Michael dreams of new recipes when he is asleep. I could tell you that every dish I saw coming out of the kitchen was a masterpiece and it would all be true. But when I tell you that the pumpkin pie martini was the best drink I ever had, you don’t have to believe me. I want you to go to Steam Pub and have one. And then you let me know….

Visit www.steampub.com for menus, events listings and more. LL Sharyl Volpe is the Editor-in-Chief for Local Living Magazine.

November | December 2012 Local Living

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The

Fork-1-1

by Kimberly Ca mbra

Chef Walter Staib:

America’s Culinary Cornerstone To describe chef Walter staib only as the chef and proprietor of philadelphia’s city Tavern doesn’t sufficiently illustrate his fortress of professional accomplishments as the culinary cornerstone of this great nation.

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B

orn in a small town on the edge of the Black Forest in Germany, Staib as a young child was influenced by two generations in his house. He was raised by his mother, his grandparents, and a chef, who together provided wonderful inspiration with their old world lifestyle; this was cultivated during a time when life was simple, but not without old school, hard work ethic — and this Chef Staib champions in everything he does to this day. By age 6 he found himself working in his uncle’s restaurant complete with a butcher shop. It was there that he learned the age-old art of sausage making, a skill he would later share with his guests in the new world.

Across Europe and the United States Staib worked in world-class hotels and restaurants before tying his horse to the hitching post in Old City, Philadelphia in 1979. A decade later he began his culinary consulting business, Concepts by Staib, Ltd., where he conceptualized restaurants from the Radisson Moscow to the Radisson in Kamala Bay, Thailand and across the Caribbean to include St. Martin, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Barbados. During this uber-the-top undertaking of implementation to orchestrate these destination restaurants, hotels and resorts, he would also work with hospitality leaders like Sandals/Beaches Resort and OMNI International as well as a very long list of well-known hotels.

“No man can be a patriot on an empty stomach.” – William Cowper Brann Philadelphia, PA – Ringing in the New Year in 1992 would mean the closing of the City Tavern, news that would actually ring loud in Staib’s head after he heard it. In the months to follow history would begin to rewrite itself at the hands of this brilliant culinary historian and soon-to-be proprietor.

What would it take to ensure the City Tavern would keep its doors open, tables filled and traditions in place… an act of Congress? Yes, that’s exactly what it took. Staib hunkered down like our forefathers and braved the investment process and time commitment to acquire the City Tavern, which was then and still is today a part of the National Park Service.

But long before any restaurant critic would step foot inside the tavern, founding father John Adams declared it “the most genteel tavern in America” in 1774. Make no mistake: this tavern nourished the men who forged this nation and ensured our freedom as a country. Franklin, Adams, Washington and Jefferson were statesmen to frequent the tavern.

Franklin was especially fond of its hospitality, food and spirits. Women and children were not permitted in the tavern.

Sadly a fire ravaged the building in 1834 and demolition in

1854 but that didn’t keep the tavern from feeding its people.

It was rebuilt and restored in 1975 in time for the city’s bicentennial.

Today, the City Tavern still occupies the northwest corner of 2nd & Walnut Streets. The original building was five stories high with kitchens, coffee rooms, three dining rooms, a bar and the largest ballroom in the New World; there were five rooms for lodging with quarters for servants. The tavern was only a stone’s throw from the port of Philadelphia, making it very accessible to merchant marines, peddlers and farmers which in turn assured imported spices, rum and farm fresh ingredients for the tavern’s menu. Staib boasts there’s only a small freezer on the premises as bare minimum refrigeration is necessary; everything used for cooking is used up daily. It is fresh from the farm to the table.

The doors of the City Tavern are open for all who enter to explore this extraordinary living museum dedicated to our country’s colonial way of life. You will discover authentic Early American décor, wait staff adorned in colonial garb, and fare made from original recipes that Staib himself thoroughly researched. It stands as a testament to his devotion to provide his guests the ultimate taste of history, which was the influence for his current PBS Emmy award-winning television cooking show series. Additionally, Staib has penned three glorious cookbooks and one delightfully illustrated children’s story. (All books available for purchase at the City Tavern or citytavern.com.)

A Taste of History With a treasure trove of culinary medals, a plethora of proclamations and a very long and impressive list of accolades, Chef Walter Staib doesn’t do idle very well and is one of the hardest working professionals known to his industry.

So it should come as no surprise that when the chance to develop a television series based on this great country’s culinary beginnings, with the recipes of our founding fathers (and mothers) along with a big slice of early America, A Taste of History was ready to serve. In its first three seasons, the show has been awarded four Emmys and is viewed by a national audience on PBS; it airs on WHYY in this market.

Ironically, this is truly the first Fork-1-1 article that tells a tale of a man, an immigrant, culinary historian and worldclass chef who created a destination that invites visitors to his historical tavern and provides a first hand experience of what it was like to live local in 18th Century Philadelphia.

Huzzah! Chef Walter Staib and your staff! LL November | December 2012 Local Living

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profile

Holiday Stress and Our Pets

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he holiday season is upon us! While we all look forward to spending time with family and friends, we also know that the holidays can be extremely stressful. What you might not realize is that this time of year can cause a lot of stress for our pets as well.

Pets thrive on having a consistent routine. They become accustomed to a regular schedule – walk time, feeding time, play time, etc. Our busy schedules during the holidays are anything but consistent; family get-togethers, shopping trips, and long car rides can really disrupt a dog’s routine.

The sights, sounds and smells of holiday festivities can overwhelm even the most well-behaved and even-tempered pet. What we consider to be typical sounds of the season, such as music and laughter, can cause agitation and anxiety in some dogs. A noisy house full of unfamiliar visitors can be extremely difficult, especially for a dog that might not interact well with strangers. And of course all the delicious holiday goodies are as tempting for your pet as they

are for us humans! A dog might sneak some people food off of the kitchen counter, or a guest might casually feed your dog leftovers, thinking that it’s not a big deal. But even small amounts of high-fat, high-sugar foods can cause major problems, especially for a dog with a sensitive digestive system. If holiday stress is a problem for your pet, Wagsworth Manor has the solution!

Wagsworth Manor Pet Resort in Malvern is the perfect holiday destination for your pet. Daily activities are specifically tailored to your pet’s needs, and special attention is given to ensure that all guests are enjoying their stay. There’s something for everyone – from high-energy pups to laidback senior dogs. Does your dog love to swim? Sign her up for a swim session in their luxurious, heated indoor pool.

Does she prefer snuggling with a human companion? Try Wagsworth’s TLC Plan. While you’re busy at home entertaining family and friends, you’ll feel better knowing that your furry friend is enjoying a relaxing, stress-free getaway with a regular schedule of fun activities during the day and restful quiet time at night.

And maybe that’s the gift your dog really wants from you this holiday season! LL Visit Wagsworth Manor Pet Resort located at 27 Spring Mill Drive, Malvern, PA or www.wagsworthmanor.com.

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Rescue Me

By Blair Johnson

i November | December 2012 Local Living

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hen asked about this topic, I jumped at the chance to share my experience with my colleagues and actually with anyone who would listen. I have long been a proponent of adoptions vs. purchasing of animals. As a matter of fact, statistics show that more animals reach the shelters from pet shop sales than are abandoned for any other reason.

That being said, I would like to insist that impulse holiday “pet” purchases or adoptions be carefully considered as they are at minimum a 10 year commitment. Once you and your family are ready to find that new member, let’s look at the process and explore the adventure.

First analyze your life and your family’s. What kind of schedule do you have, what kind of space, what kind of financial resources (they all need food, supplies, and healthcare!) can you dedicate to your new family member?

Research the obvious needs and differences between cats, dogs and the various breeds. Ask around, talk to successful adopters — they are all around you. Stop by the various shelters. I have always found it a pleasure to visit my neighborhood Bucks County SPCA. In my experience, I have learned to leave my wallet at home; when I visit a facility like this, I want to rescue many or all of them!

This part of the process should never be impulsive. Take the time to meet the animal in a separate room, bring your children, even other animals in the house in an attempt to avoid that horrible inevitable conflict. Let one of the staff know if you are planning to bring an existing pet in as this can be stressful for your pet, the sheltered animals, and the staff. If a particular animal catches your eye and heart, research information on the breed. Often that beautiful love at first site moment can be rocked when an animal’s natural instinctual character kicks in. Ask about the history of the animal, was it abused? Is there a history with other animal interaction? How about history with children?

Housebroken? Obedience training? Medical records? A past medical history is a must. Veterinarian services are expensive and necessary; know this before falling in love with your new companion.

Also consider the plethora of private animal rescues often within a short distance from your home. These rescues offer a personal touch that often cannot be replicated through a government agency. Some are breed-specific, while others are rescuing all breeds from near and far, employing various fostering situations that can be far less stressful for your potential new pet. Personally I have fostered several pets temporarily waiting for their “forever homes”. This has been a rich learning experience and has made me a better pet owner for my current rescued companion.

What have I learned? I learned it was often the animal rescuing me. Remember, pets do not have motives. They live in the present. They don’t even know what “rescue”

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means. They just “are”. They love us without expectation.

After taking a break from several fosters, I received a call from a friend at the SPCA. The message was, “We have your dog, come on down.” After helping with several animals and placement, some of my “partners in crime” knew me, my family and my needs, and they knew she was for me.

Three years later I am still the proud owner of Leyla, the abandoned whippet.

In summary, research, reflect, and network. Your hard work will be an enjoyable adventure and an investment in your family. Good luck with your quest, feel free to contact me with questions, or share with me your story. Email: bjohnson@warrenmediagroup.com LL

Here are some resources I Have found Helpful: Pennsylvania SPCA www.pspca.org Bucks County SPCA www.bcspca.org Petfinder www.petfinder.com/index.html PAWS Pennsylvania Animal Welfare Society www.phillypaws.org SAVE – a friend to homeless animals www.save-animals.org Dogs and Cats Rule www.dogsandcatsrule.com Ark Animal Hospital www.arkanimalhospital.evetsites.net/index.pm Animal Lifeline www.animallifelineonline.org

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November | December 2012 Local Living

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Tree Lighting Ceremony November 25th in Cannon Square 5 pm - 6 pm Performances by Dance Junction, Downtown Performing Arts Glee Club and the Salvation Army Band Ensemble

> 6 pm Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by sleigh > 7 pm First tree light show > 7:15-ish Caroling with the New Hope-Solebury Community Choir, cookies and refreshments

Winter Celebration - throughout the month of December > Daily tree light show at 5, 7 and 9 pm > Carolers on Logan Patio on Saturday and Sunday afternoons featuring local choral groups, dancers and Courtney’s Carolers > Bucks County Playhouse performances > Historic Re-enactors: Monroe Crossing and Parade and Cannon Firing

www.newhopeholidays.com Fundraising at all events: Sponsor a light or a strand of lights on the tree and other opportunities to donate.

A bed and breakfast sanctuary where mind, body, and spirit ourish in a relaxing woodland setting.

121 Santosha Lane, Box 6154 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570.476.0203 www.SantoshaOnTheRidge.com

TRAVEL

Cruising the Caribbean

By Beth D’Addono

T

hink Caribbean and images of swaying palm trees, spiced breezes and sandy beaches come to mind. Choose a port of call, or sail the azure waters to clear your head. However you escape, paradise awaits…

St. Lucia This windward isle boasts a rain forest landscape overlooking the jagged Pitons. do The eco-attraction Our Planet offers virtual tours of the

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planets and a viewing of Japan’s tsunami from space.

Taste Friday nights head to Anse-la-Raye for a fish fry, an eating and dancing party set to a calypso beat. move Head for the hills and scale Gros Piton, a World Heritage Site rising 2,619 feet above the island. Along the steep trek you’ll meet locals and at the top, the views are spectacular.

Treasure Bring home a bottle of island made Chairman’s Reserve Rum.

Puerto Rico This island combines the convenience of a domestic destination with the exotic allure of the Caribbean. do A walking tour of Old San Juan, with its quaint cobblestoned streets and 18th century Spanish architecture. A visit to EL Morro, the historic fort overlooking the Atlantic, is not to be missed.

Taste From tostones (fried plantains) to empanadilla (spicy meat turnovers), the island cuisine combines Spanish, African and native Taino Indian influences. move Dance the night away at Club Brava in the grand El San Juan hotel. High energy rules the dance floor; catch your breath in one of the chill lounges.

Treasure A favorite crop since the 1700s, take home a pound, or two, of local coffee; Café Yauco Selecto or Alto Grande are two to try.

St. Maarten Known for its 37 pristine beaches, St. Martin/St. Maarten in the Antilles is shared by two nations: the French to the north and the Dutch to the south. do Try your luck at a casino on the Dutch side, starting with Club Royale, with 14,000 square feet of gaming and 450 slot machines.

Taste A dining Mecca with 300-plus restaurants, St. Maarten is known for its Indonesian rijstaffel, a repast of spicy bits over rice that harks back to Dutch Colonial times. move Take a day trip to deserted Prickly Pear Island to bask in the sun, loll on the beach and snorkel in blue shallow waters.

Treasure A bottle of locally made Guavaberry barbecue sauce is sweet and sassy.

Treasure Channel the island vibe through local artist Guy Harvey, whose colorful marine art adorns everything from canvas to t-shirts and coffee mugs.

Travel Editor Beth D’Addono celebrates local living wherever she goes on her blog, unchainedtravel.com.

AAA Vacations Cruises All Aboard: The Grand Princess, Eastern Caribbean It doesn’t get grander than this luxurious ship, with its Italian style Piazza, anytime dining and VIP cabin service. Besides two relaxing days at sea, find romance along the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and soak up the unique combination of European sophistication and island magic in Dutch St. Maarten.

All Aboard: Regent Seven Seas Navigator Reconnect aboard this elegant ship, where every suite has an ocean view and many boast private balconies. Enjoy European service by night; by day explore tropical vistas, including Georgetown in the Cayman Islands, home to adventures above and below the blue Caribbean Sea. All Aboard: Holland America’s ms Ryndam Settle into a 21-day Caribbean escape aboard the spacious ms Ryndam, where you can take cooking classes, swim in an adults-only pool and watch a movie under the stars. Stops include Puerto Rico, Antigua and the Caymans. You’ll see both Castries and Soufriere in stunning St. Lucia, notable for its combination of romance, luxe pampering and striking views.

Cayman Islands Known for its international banking cache and world class diving, this is the place to get in touch with your inner Jacques Cousteau. do Take a one-day resort dive course, an approachable way to access the island’s abundant marine life. Start in a resort pool and head down under off of Seven Mile Beach.

Taste Conch is a local fave, a protein-rich mollusk used in fritters, chowders spiked with onions and peppers and marinated in lime juice for ceviche. move Swim with the graceful rays at Stingray City, an all ages snorkeling adventure that is a must-do.

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profile Colonial Marble & Granite Makes a House the Model Home

By Kari Dimmick

T

o witness a flourishing business in today’s aggressively competitive market calls for a little something more than skill. It warrants a certain art of combining ingenuity with heart. In a recent discussion with James Freeman, Senior Vice President of Colonial Marble & Granite, it quickly became evident why this company has seen so much success since its conception in 2007. “It’s so important to design a classic product that’s not only relevant today, but is also forward-thinking. That’s what customers want to see,” says Freeman. The uncanny ability to take stone and transform it into a unique work of art for display and functionality in a home requires a balancing act of ideas. It’s about really listening to what a team of people envision and turning those concepts into a reality. The end result is the precise craftsmanship that Colonial customers have relied upon to really set their homes apart from the rest.

Colonial is the “original home” of the $1,999 all-inclusive countertop special which has given homeowners the opportunity to up62

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KITCHEN: This single-slab island is a perfect example of how skill and scale are combined beautifully. After this piece was carefully crafted at 120 by 59 inches with twice the standard thickness, it took no less than 12 men to carry it into the home.

OUTSIDE BAR: This unique stone has been prepared through a process called honing. The result is a matte finish that is nonetheless impervious to stains and spills.

INSIDE BAR: Taking home entertaining to the limit and then right past it, this bar is exquisitely detailed. Why go out?

grade without having to relocate. This has proven to be key in the recent business boom for Colonial given the current stance in the housing market. “Maybe it doesn’t make sense to move or sell your house, but it makes a lot of sense to make it better,” says Freeman.

“It’s a smart investment. So when it is time to sell, you’re adding not only value to a home, but also beauty.” Even if a better home-value isn’t the reason for a countertop upgrade, it’s the finishing touches that really make a house a home. It’s walking into comfort away from the world and being happy with what you see. It’s been Colonial Marble & Granite’s mission to give their customers this luxury without breaking the bank, while continuously providing high-quality workmanship. They’ve got the scale and resources to provide the service and the stone at the best prices in the industry, adding a level of value and beauty that an average fabricator just can’t. LL Kari Dimmick is a freelance writer and PR maven for Local Living Magazine.

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t Carmine & Company our Stylists and Colorists are impassioned, enlightened and inspiring. We believe you should never under-estimate the power of a consultation. That is how we learn what you love, how we grow, and how ideas sprout to life. We ask questions and we listen to your answers to find the perfect look that works for you. We help you take the right steps to move ahead with confidence.

Hair Artistry is at the heart of what we do in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. So when the conversation turns to your hair, turn to us! We look forward to seeing you.

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TECH the halls

by Nick Hamner

Gadget gifts have ruled the holiday circuit for the past few decades, and since you already know about all the new apple gear and the shiny plastic tablets that are released every week, here is a list of lesser-known techie gifts that will be perfect for anyone on your list.

For the Punctual The nuclear Watch - GadgetsandGear.com This matte black, stainless-framed analog wrist watch features 12 and 24 hour markings in a sleek & modern type face, a woven polycarbonate strap, and a “battery” guaranteed to work for 25 years straight since it’s not really a battery — it’s a very small, government-sanctioned, totally safe radioactive hydrogen reactor, and will surely be the only gift this year that had to clear the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Hopefully.

For the Audiophile fanny Wang 3000 anc Headphones – fannywang.com After they quit giggling at the company name, your giftee will quickly realize that these are some of the best and most-stylish headphones they’ve never heard of. They’re available in a run of bold colors and are equipped with a high tech four-microphoneinvolving noise cancellation system that cuts out 95% of unwanted sound, an onboard amp pumping serious power to the nearly two-inch speakers at each ear, and an Appleready remote mounted on the cable.

For the Workaholic orée Board – oreedesign.com Thankfully not hewn from ol’ Tannenbaum, these wooden keyboards are instead cut entirely from single planks of maple or walnut to preserve the grain, and you can even pick what style letters they use on the keys. These ‘boards are out of England, so you might want to order them sooner than later, especially if you want a custom message engraved.

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For the Family nintendo Wii u – bestbuy.com Nintendo’s latest entry in the game console market is a graphics powerhouse and an update of the hugely popular Wii. The Wii U brings in a new, touchscreen-enabled controller and a slew of HD four- and five-player games that will get the whole family off the couch and active. It also plays host to the company’s new interactive TVii service, controlling and unifying all home entertainment devices for a brand new TV viewing experience.

For the Young Ones Kymera magic Wand remote – amazon.com While they’re waiting on that invitation to Hogwarts, any kid on your list can practice a little magic on their own by controlling their TV with this wand; performing up to 13 commands by flicking, rolling, tapping, and swooshing the wood-grained staff. Making the gift even more magical is the gift box: a posh-looking rectangle wrapped in faux-dragonhide and lined in ornate Chinese silk brocade.

For the Outdoorsy Backcountry Boiler – sparkmade.com

For the Perfectionist lytro camera – lytro.com The only camera to ever account for second guessing, the Lytro is a super-simple digital camera that instantly shoots highdef images that can be adjusted for focus and exposure after they’ve been shot. It’s great for traveling, too, as it’s just a tad larger than a tube of lipstick and housed in a durable shell of iPhone-esque anodized aluminum.

For those friends or family members that might be sporting Appalachian Trail nicknames and woods-worthy beards, this Pittsburgh-developed, Thermos-sized vessel keeps hot drinks hot by way of a furnace running through the center of it. A firebox at the base will burn leaves, twigs, or anything else you might find on the trail and then funnel the heat through the chimney to quickly boil the surrounding two cups of water. It even comes with a neoprene sleeve to keep hands burn-free.

Nick Hamner is an attorney and writer residing in Bucks County with his wife and daughter, sharing a cozy home with several dogs. In the past, he managed and edited a commercial real estate magazine and he most recently finished a lengthy stint at Thrillist.com.

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• 2012 •

Holiday Gift Guide

Coffee Bean Direct 5 lb Bag of City Roast and 1 lb Bag of Holiday Delight (888) 232-6711 www.coffeebeandirect.com

Duke & Winston Top quality woven ties with the classic woven bulldog logo, lined with our signature Duke & Winston purple detailing.

(267) 639-5594 www.duke-winston.com facebook.com/dukeandwinston twitter.com/dukeandwinston Bridge Street Chocolates “Seasonal Chocolates from Bridge Street Chocolates” Taste and share the flavors of the season like Candy Cane, Caramel Pecan, Eggnog, Pumpkin and White.

Chocolate.

(610) 935-8100 www.bridgestreetchocolates.com Duke & Winston 100% locally produced, the super comfortable Union Jacked bed is our unique take on the British Flag. Comes in 3 different sizes, great for tiny teacup poodles to big fat slobbering bulldogs....Also make great couch pillows.

(267) 639-5594 www.duke-winston.com facebook.com/dukeandwinston twitter.com/dukeandwinston

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My Custom Yoga Mat Create Your Own Custom Embroidered Yoga Mat (888) 933-2220 www.mycustomyogamat.com My Custom Pet Mat These are made from our yoga mat material and each can be embellished with custom embroidery. Comes in three sizes.

(888) 933-2220 www.mycustomyogamat.com

Truly Custom Cakery Truly Custom Crunch Popcorn, Pecans, and Almonds coated with caramel toffee and drizzled with rich dark chocolate.

(215) 441-0111 www.TrulyCustomCakery.com

Feeney’s Bethany Lowe Figurine Fresh new traditions for you and your family, as everything old becomes new again.

(215) 322-4300 www.feeneys.com

• 2012 •

Holiday Gift Guide

Bucks Country Gardens The Frasier Fir Collection of candles, reeds and sprays by Thymes fills the air with the scent of a freshly cut tree as our fondest holiday memories come rushing back.

(215) 766-7800 www.buckscountrygardens.com

La Fin du CAID Perfume Feel Good. Smell Good. Do Good. Feel Good knowing that every purchase of La Fin du CAID perfume helps fight Childhood Auto Inflammatory Diseases. Smell good with the only perfume designed to benefit a worthy charity. Do Good, 100% of the proceeds from La Fin du CAID perfume sales go to Stop CAID Now. Each bottle comes in a beautiful box with the story of how/ why stopcaidnow was created. www.stopcaidnow.org/giving.ccf.org/stopcaidnow Occasions Boutique Holiday perfect! Shimmer liquid jersey cocktail dress in red, black or nude by Terani Couture (610) 296-0442 www.occasions-boutique.com facebook.com/OCCASIONSBOUTIQUE 70

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Bellview Winery What makes holiday shopping easier?

Wine tasting of course! Gift shop with unique items, baskets, cheeses, local wine and more!

(856) 697-7172 www.bellviewwinery.com

Ross-Simons Jewelers 12-strand white cultured pearl necklace (302) 369-3255 www.ross-simons.com

The Carle Collection Handmade Jewelry, Soaps & Soy Candles Fifth Annual Holiday Open House December 15th & 16th, 9 a.m. til 3 p.m (215) 738-0574 www.thecarlecollection.com

Meg 21 MEG 21 Face Treatment is a gentle and smoothing combination that’s acid-free and peel-free. It contains Supplamine, a powerful anti-wrinkling, anti-inflammatory ingredient, discovered during clinical diabetes research, and is formulated specifically to add glow and resilience to skin. Supplamine reverses fine lines and wrinkles in 28 days. (877) 682-7949 www.MEG21.com November | December 2012 Local Living

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fashionista The little Black Holiday dress

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he holidays and the social occasions that go with them have arrived, and so the hunt begins for what to wear to them all! The LBD, or Little Black Dress, can be your friend and “partner in crime” for any event because each of them has a different personality. But this is the same reason that the LBD can also be your most elusive friend, seemingly unavailable when you need them. Here are a few tips to make sure that you enter every party with an LBD that’s perfectly suited for the occasion.

First, determine what your budget is. Depending on your lifestyle, and how often you will be wearing the LBD this year, go for classic since it will remain in style for awhile.

If you are on a budget, look for Jersey dresses which are less expensive, usually under $300, but have a season-less and classic styling. They are easier to dress up or down, layer

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and accessorize, based on where you are wearing it! A great Jersey dress can be worn with a pair of pumps, pretty shawl, and great earrings. Or, worn with a leather jacket, black tights and boots can make it a funkier, sexy night-time look.

Sleeveless dresses are also more versatile than long sleeves because you can wear them all year round. Stick with lengths that are just a little below or above the knee. If you go too short, the dress is not as adaptable to the event. You can always add a higher heel pump or boot, but you cannot add length to an already shorter dress. Go for styles that can be worn with either a strapless or regular bra, so that you can feel comfortable where you are going and never worry about having a wardrobe malfunction.

Try on a variety of styles to determine what you feel most attractive in. Find a designer that works and stick with them, because they usually have a consistent fit. Save yourself the time and stress by predetermining what looks good on you, and you’ll feel good in your perfect Little Black Dress. Fabulous! LL — Anonymous Self-Proclaimed Shopaholic

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Deck the Halls - Simply

By Pattie Krukowski

W

hen I think back about celebrating the Holidays in 1970’s South Florida, a myriad of warm memories flood my mind. Canned snow, liberally sprayed, covered all the windows. A faux brick, cardboard fireplace stood proudly in the corner. It came to life when plugged in to allow a round colored slide of red and yellow to spin atop a bulb while fueling a fan that blew tissue flames. My father demanded that individual strands of tinsel be painstakingly hung piece by piece on heavy boughs weighted by hand-blown glass

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ornaments inherited from generations past. Needless to say, the first Christmas I spent in New England with all its genuine and simple elegance was charming.

Over the years I have made a point of remembering clever ways to create the feel of a New England Christmas in my own home during the Holidays. To achieve this, I believe the key is “less is more”. Cover the mantle with groups of creamy white pottery stuffed with evergreens and eucalyptus on one side with a handful of whitewashed wooden candlesticks on the other. Clip evergreen sprigs in

symmetric pieces and attach five straight ends in the middle with floral wire to create snowflakes and hang from the ceiling in varied heights. Every year we buy a dozen orchids, all of one type, potted rosemary or braided stem poinsettia topiary to give as last minute gifts. We wrap the pots with fabulous ribbon and display the mass together on a table by the front door until they are picked up or delivered.

Garland and lights are both such versatile decorating tools. Use garland to dress up a chandelier, drape from curtain rods or wrap a stove hood. Deck the halls; literally. Run garland along a hallway chair rail inviting overnight guests to their rooms upstairs. Solar, pre-lit faux garland makes exterior decorating a breeze. Surround an entrance and cloak the stair risers to a front door. Be the envy of your neighborhood and hire a landscaper to wrap the biggest tree in your yard with exterior lights or simply wrap just the trunks yourself. A house around the corner from mine wraps just the trunks of about ten trees in velvety red LED lights. The effect is stunning.

Feast on the soft glow of candlelight during Hanukah.

Design your own Menorah from a glass trifle bowl scattered with blue marbles and candles or gather together a collection of mercury glass candlesticks in a variety of shapes and sizes. Clear jars and vases full of silver and blue wrapped treats encourage guests to celebrate. Cobalt blue martini glasses replace wine stems. A number of sparkling and spring waters such as Ty Nant and Saratoga Spring water sport blue glass bottles and are the perfect accent at the bar.

Choose a color scheme and stick with it. Last year all of our packages were wrapped in black and silver. Packages from our family were wrapped with black and silver paisley while those from Santa were wrapped in black and silver stripes. The same paper covered the buffet table and was

strewn with every crystal votive I could find. Silver ornaments and fresh white lilies in floral water tubes nestled among evergreen trimmings laid down the center of the white clothed dining room table. A slew of off-white velvet ribbons were hand tied on our fresh, too-big-for-our-home tree. The tree stand fit into a large shiny black lacquered plantation planter that we topped with floral sheet moss.

Even my eight-year-old son’s Betta fish tank was dressed appropriately. Black and white marbles rested on the bottom of a two foot tall, clear glass vase placed atop an antique silver tray.

This year’s tree design has been chosen. I was cruising through the website www.amazing-christmas-ideas. com and fell in love with the tree that is being trimmed by doves. Doves suspended from the ceiling with fishing line hold ornaments and strands of beads and appear to be the ones actually doing the decorating. These whimsical little birds could be used on a mantle to decorate a Menorah with strands of pearls or perhaps look as though delivering a special gift from Tiffany’s.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and the choice of possibilities to create your own special holiday environment are endless. Remember to keep it simple yet focus on the small details. Strike the harp and join the chorus by choosing family favorite holiday songs to get you in the mood. I grew up listening to Barbara Streisand: A Christmas Album from 1967 and I play it over and over again from Thanksgiving until New Year’s. Cinnamon scented pinecones are piled high in buckets by the fireplace while cookie scented candles infuse the house with cheer. Enjoy every minute and always focus on the real meaning of the holidays while you relax in the atmosphere you created. LL Pattie Krukowski is a freelance writer currently residing in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

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your life,

your shoppes

your holidays!

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Scan to learn about special holiday events.

Located in North Wales, at 1460 Bethlehem Pike at SR 309, just north of SR 63 Visit TheShoppesAtEnglishVillage.com for more holiday event details.

profile Dasher, Dancer. You know the rest.

By Susan Taylor

I

t is a special season of style, you know, and you can expect my thoughts on all kinds. As a Bucks County Interior Designer, I am never short on creative direction. As a self-styled conservative Rocky Mountain girl--somewhat defiant--who has never liked design rules, I have taken many leaps of faith. Quirks are good. Personality is good.

Whether designer, writer, teacher, wife or mother--all these roles take a certain degree of design moxie. I hope to share it with you!

This is the season for sharing. So set the table, call up the family, and send a few invites to friends you’ve missed. Go easy on yourself and shop your favorite stores to present the holidays in stylish ways. There’s a reason we should honor and cherish holiday rituals: they heal the heart.

At Christmastime, Mother’s house was always dressed.

Garlands graced the beams of the living room and crisp linen tablecloths, freshly ironed, awaited our traditional gourmet dinner. Her hot punch, sterling silver nut dish and Fostoria compote were always present during the holidays.

I’ve learned that working on your home is redemptive.

Your home should be beautiful and comfortable because it shelters the people you love. The whole house should say,

“Welcome”. Decorating your home for the holidays may bring back these cherished rituals and become one of the highlights of the season. Or, you may want to hire professionals to do it for you while you sip hot chocolate with peppermint. In either case, the “elves” from Black-eyed Susan can offer you tips as decorating experts with designing eyes… just in time to prepare your home for this most festive of seasons.

The walls at our showroom have been prepared to do just that: celebrate! After a full year of thought and planning, as the season’s fresh inventory comes out of the stockroom, it is transformed into sheer magic. The store brims with inspiration and visions to inspire every holiday desire.

Style. It’s all about style. I hope you will look for me each issue for fresh thoughts and direction. I’m looking forward to it! LL Susan Taylor is the Owner/Designer at Black-eyed Susan.

5222 York Rd., Buckingham, PA 19298 215.794.1800 www.besusan.com besusan.blogspot.com November | December 2012 Local Living

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SMILES! HAPPY HOLIDAYS, FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS! To our dental patient family, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to participate in your dental care!

It is our pleasure to serve you!

To our new friends, welcome!

We look forward to offering you exceptional dentistry in a relaxed, boutique setting, where caring professionals focus on you.

The field of dentistry is ever changing.

Our commitments to technique, technology, and caring service help assure that our patients’ smiles reflect a lasting, positive, healthy image.

Happy Holidays! Make a commitment to your healthy smile!

DR. ROBERT A. LANTZY, DMD LLC 11 Friends Lane - Suite 100 Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940 (215) 860-5901

www.buckscountydental.com

profile

The Battle of the Bulge Dr. Skalicky’s “BodyShrink” Procedure Removes One Inch of Body Fat Without Surgery

H

ow many times have you heard someone say, ”No matter what I do I can’t get rid of the bulge in this part of my body?” Well, now there is an answer. And it doesn’t involve months of dieting or workouts or even involved surgery. Instead it involves a simple office procedure utilizing high density ultrasound to melt away an inch of fat from the body. The new procedure termed “BodyShrink”, designed by Dr. Robert Skalicky, plastic surgeon, utilizes the Solta Medical Liposonix ultrasound technology to melt away an inch of fat in specific areas of the body to create more pleasing body contours. Love handles, thighs, abdominal “belly fat”, and bra strap fullness are all areas that can be easily treated with the new procedure.

“The beauty of this procedure,” states Dr. Skalicky, “is that it finally offers a simple solution to eliminate small areas of fatty tissue excess in the body without an involved surgical procedure.” Patients drive themselves to the office, undergo the BodyShrink treatment, and an hour or so later drive home and resume their normal lifestyle. The advantages of procedure are remarkable. It is non-invasive. It has no incisions. It has no recovery or downtime. The procedure takes approximately one hour to perform and requires little or no medication. An entire waistline can be treated in 45 to 60 minutes. Shrinkage of the area occurs over the next several weeks with final improvement seen by 8 to 12 weeks.

While the ultrasound technology offers a breakthrough in non-invasive fat removal, it is how the technology is applied that matters. According to Dr. Skalicky, “Anyone can buy a paint brush, but not everyone can paint.” Dr. Skalicky’s

BodyShrink procedure takes the technology to a new level by creating individualized treatment plans for each patient based on their anatomy and removing the fat from the areas that will sculpt their body for maximal improvement. It is the artistic application of the technology that results in body contour improvement. And it is the contouring ability of BodyShrink that separates this procedure from other fat removal methods that do not have the ability to sculpt and contour.

The ideal patient for this procedure is someone who has at least an extra inch of fat on their body that they want to get rid of in an easy, simple way. “The best candidate”, according to Dr. Skalicky, “is someone that can pinch at least an inch or more of fullness on their body that just won’t go away with attempts at diet or exercise. BodyShrink offers an easy, non-invasive answer to this problem. Patients love the fact that they do not have to take time off from work or interrupt their normal routines. The fat just disappears over weeks as the body removes the treated cells.”

Pricing for the procedure is less than half of what traditional liposuction costs and areas can be retreated several months down the line if a patient chooses to do so. As long as the patient doesn’t gain weight, the fat removal will be permanent.

While the battle of the bulge will always continue to be fought, BodyShrink just may be the weapon needed to win the war! LL Dr. Skalicky offers complimentary consultations for BodyShrink at his office in Newtown, Pa. His office phone number is (215) 702-8600.

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Q& a With Debbie Cooper, Registered Dietician and Amie Allanson-Dundon, Psychotherapist of St. Luke’s University Health Network.

I

t’s that time of year again when radio stations start playing holiday music, trees have lost their leaves, and holiday invitations start to arrive. You have no idea what gifts to get your loved ones or how you are going to pay for them.

Holiday stress and nutrition can be overwhelming and take a toll on your relationships, finances and your overall wellbeing. How you deal with stress can make all the difference.

Q: What are some techniques I can use when

holiday stress is getting the best of me?

a: Try these five techniques: 1. relax – Try to keep your expectations in check. Things usually turn out okay but they won’t always be perfect. Find a quiet spot to relax and try this breathing exercise: • Sit or stand in an upright position • Keep your shoulders back • Take a deep breath in through your nose and feel your lungs and ribcage expanding • Exhale slowly through your mouth to deflate your lungs completely • Repeat one to three times as needed 2. set realistic Goals – Pace yourself. Rushing can lead to forgetfulness and may put you in a bad mood. Allocate more time than you think you will need.

3. plan – Think through what you will need and want. Pick up things in advance. Making a list or schedule will help to keep your thoughts organized and checking things off of your list will give you a sense of accomplishment.

Q: How can I make healthy choices during hoiiday

parties and meals?

a: 1. don’t go to a holiday event hungry! Eat a whole-

some breakfast and lunch on the day of the party. Have a light snack before going to the party. Foods high in protein keep you feeling satisfied longer, so you’ll eat less later.

Offer to bring a low calorie healthy appetizer with you to the holiday event.

2. plan ahead: Who will be with you? What foods will be available? What foods are special to you? What foods can you do without? What are your triggers to overeat?

It is much easier to deal with social eating situations if you have planned for them.

3. Holiday events should not be an all-you-can-eat buffet. Review your food choices and make a plan. Eat smaller portions if you want to try everything, or choose what you really want the most and have a normal portion size. Physically position yourself away from the buffet table.

4. make a choice to limit high fat and high sugar items: If you cannot control the ingredients that go into a dish, simply limit yourself to smaller portions. Drink plenty of water which will fill up your stomach and keep you hydrated. Don’t forget to include some fruit and vegetables.

Beware of rich sugary foods because these can make us crave yet more rich and sugary foods.

Planning healthy meals before and between events can help you keep a balanced diet.

4. delegate – Ask for others to help you and then allow them to carry out the plan. Don’t try to do it all by yourself.

5. Humor – Don’t forget to laugh! If you experience holiday stress that is beyond a manageable level, consider calling St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Counseling Center at 1-866-STLUKES or another provider of mental health services.

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Local | December 2011 84 Living Local November Living November | December 2012

Snap the tag to view more information about St. Luke’s University and Health Network directly from your phone!

Q: What are some healthy beverage choices for

holiday events?

a: Remember that alcohol and other beverages have calories too!

Beverage Lite Beer (12 fl oz) Alcohol (1.5 fl oz) Apple cider (8 fl oz) Wine (6 fl oz) Beer (12 fl oz) Sparkling apple cider (8 fl oz) Eggnog (8 fl oz) (Source: www.calorieking.com)

Calories 100 110 120 124 150 150 306

Q: How do I lose weight during the holidays? a: Maintain perspective.

Your focus should be on weight management not weight loss during the holidays. Do not make plans to diet after the New Year, instead be physically active every day.

Overeating one meal or one day won’t make or break your eating plan…unless you let it. Put it behind you and return to your regular eating plan without feeling guilty or disappointed.

a Healthy alternative to pumpkin pie low fat crustless pumpkin pie 16 oz canned pumpkin ½ cup Egg Beaters® 12 fl oz canned evaporated skim milk ½ cup sugar ½ tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp ground cloves 4 squares of graham crackers, crushed In a medium bowl, mix pumpkin, Egg Beaters®, sugar, and spices. Add evaporated milk and mix well. Pour into 9 inch pie pan sprayed with nonstick coating. Bake in 350º F oven for approximately 1 hour. Sprinkle graham crackers over cooled pie.

Serves eight. Per slice: 7 g fat, 25.4 g carbohydrate Source: www.cooks.com/rec/ view/0,1737,158167-232204,00.html

Q: Any other helpful hints? a: Have a mint or piece of gum when you are

done eating and get a tall glass of water to sip on.

Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that you have eaten. Slow down your eating and you’ll be able to physically recognize when you have had enough to feel satisfied.

Remember to enjoy friends and family and focus on conversation instead of food. After all, isn’t that what it is all about?! Relax and enjoy.

For more information on nutrition services at St. Luke’s University Health Network, please call 1-866-STLUKES or visit www.slhn.org

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Help is just a phone call (or click) away.

St. Luke’s Goes MOBILE! For more information please visit www.slhn.org from your mobile device or call St. Luke’s InfoLink toll-free at 1-866-STLUKES.

1-866-STLUKES (785-8537) Call St. Luke’s InfoLink for physician referral, information on health screenings, lectures, support groups and community programs.

Babies Delivered with Tender Loving Care Gift Wrapping Optional Feel confident and comfortable knowing our team of five obstetrical physicians are here to deliver your baby.

Make the right choice. Call for an appointment today.

Jean O. FiTzGeraLD, MD • ViVian Yeh, MD • CarOLYn ianieri, DO • nesTOr i. senDzik, MD • Tuan a. Le, MD

708 Shady Retreat Rd., Suite 7, Doylestown, PA 18901 • 215.340.2229 • www.doylestownwomenshealth.com Most Insurances Accepted

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Thank You

for making us the best office for your sports injuries!

• Active Release Techniques TM - Performed by the doctor, this patented, state-ofthe-art soft tissue movement based massage technique treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves.

• Kinesio Taping – Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to joints and muscles while allowing a patient to move through a normal range of motion. It decreases inflammation and reduces pain.

• Fusion Therapy – We use traditional physical therapy exercises combined with specific pilates exercises on the mat and Reformer to increase range of motion and strengthen the healing area to prevent re-injury.

• Triton TM DTS Decompression Therapy – Nonsurgical solution for herniated discs in the neck and low back; also effective for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

• Neuromuscular Re-education – This is another soft tissue therapy geared specifically to athletes that addresses strains/sprains, shin splints & healing fractures.

• CranioSacral Therapy – Relieves tensions deep within the body to relieve pain and dysfunction. It can improve whole-body performance by helping the body naturally unwind.

• Myofascial Release/Trigger Point Therapy – Our certified massage therapists & doctor use this technique to break up scar tissue & increase range of motion.

• Laser Therapy – This therapy has been used by professional sports teams for years to dramatically speed up healing time and promote healthy cell growth.

• Traditional Chiropractic Manipulation and traditional physical therapy modalities such as ultrasound, TENS, heat/ice, and kinesiotaping in your treatment plan.

• Pilates Reformer Lessons – Build long, lean muscles with the Pilates Reformer, ladder barrel and MVE pilates chair. Private lessons or Duets.

• Therapeutic Massage – Deep massage targeted to decrease muscle spasm and pain.

• Pre-Natal Massage – To ease aches and pains of pregnancy. Can be combined with pre-natal exercise and stretching.

• Hands-on Performance Enhancement Training – Under the expertise of 2-time NFL Super Bowl champion and former Philadelphia Eagle Vaughn Hebron. Vaughn brings you world-class personal training and sports conditioning for athletes and men and women of all ages.

Dr. Jennifer S. Grozalis Chropractic Physician 105 Terry Drive Suite 114 Newtown, PA 18940 P: 215.860.9798 F: 215.860.3422 www.synergyrehabandchiro.com

Q& a With Kent Lane Mueller, D.D.S.

Q: How Do I Choose the Best Dentist for Myself and My Family?

a:

This is a complex question, so we will spend some time with this. Often, the decision to choose a dentist as a new patient is motivated by pain, trauma, or some event that places immediate need above a careful commitment to long-term overall dental health. This is okay, and you may have coincidentally arrived at an office that is the perfect fit for your continued care after the immediate crisis has been addressed. Every dentist has received significant professional training through dental college and a variety of postgraduate educational opportunities. Every dental college in America has produced a significant number of very talented professionals no matter what the academic ranking of the institution itself.

However, each individual dental practice is completely unique among all others in that the owner-dentist himself/ herself remains the defining influence as to how each patient is received and treated within his/her very personalized practice. Placing personality and values of the individual dentist aside, let us consider the variety of dental practices available to the prospective patient.

Many dentists have chosen to limit the scope of their practice to any of the sub-specialties of dentistry, including endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, pedodontics, and orthodontics. A general practice dentist may incorporate some, many, or all of these services. There are a number of postgraduate ‘General Practice’ Hospital Residency programs available throughout the country as well; however, this advancement in training is not a licensure requisite to become a general practice dentist.

Other ‘non-specialty’ practice-defining interests of the dentist may include: dental implantology, cosmetic dentistry, adult dentistry, geriatric adult dentistry, sedation dentistry, et.al. These treatment modalities do much to further define a dentist’s treatment interests within the established practice.

Bottomline, the best dentist for each individual is best chosen with a bit of research and a good bit of self-evaluation and outcome expectation.

Finally, receiving dental treatment is so very much a personal experience; a positive doctor to patient working relationship is paramount in receiving the best in dental treatment. LL For more information, please visit sleepdentistry-mueller.com, or call (215) 657-5700.

Wishing You a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season!

So… choosing the best environment for you, the patient, to receive dental care is very much a self-defining exercise with respect to personal treatment opportunities. For example, an adult seeking to receive implants, sedation, or cosmetic make-over services may consider an office that is quite different from an office that best treats the rest of the family for preventive and more limited restorative services.

November | December 2012

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health

The Not So Happy Holidays: Dealing with Holiday Depression

by Matthew Weldon Gelber

T

hese are the best weeks of the year: Spending quality time with our families in beautifully decorated homes and stores, dreaming of a gourmet dinner, and that moment when the kids will run down the stairs to gifts wrapped and sitting around the tree. For many, this is how the holiday season looks and feels. But for others, this is the most stressful and depressing time of year. Here are a few steps to help deal with this in a new healthy manner which you can use in real time during the holiday season.

Generally stress is something we all deal with in our lives throughout the year. During the holiday season we add many more stress factors, one being the fact that expectations may not match outcomes. Families may be more strapped financially to give the type of gifts their families expect. Maybe this year will be the year where you spend less because your bills are higher and you put off that family holiday vacation because of work or finances. This all puts stress on the individual as well as the entire family.

Here is the main issue with stress. When you try to ignore stress and say to yourself, “Oh this is just how life is,” or, “I’m really stressed but I’m sure it will go away itself,” those two thoughts just aren’t true. Life shouldn’t be overwhelm-

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ingly stressful and it won’t go away on its own. If you let stress run itself it will turn into depression and depression unchecked and left alone can develop into clinical depression, which would then need care in a therapeutic setting.

Depression is something that more than 70% of people feel or deal with at certain times in their lives. If depression last more than two weeks it sometimes is considered clinical depression and clinical depression left alone is very dangerous. The best news with depression is that if treated by a professional, it’s something an individual can overcome and thereby live a very different life. For years in my practice, I’ve helped clients overcome depression and what I see on the first day is someone who comes in who feels like he or she can’t handle life anymore. Seeking help is the biggest change a person can make for himself and those around him.

We all need to come to one reality that will put our minds at rest. Our families are strong if we make them strong regardless of how much we spend on toys and gifts. Reducing personal stress to live up to standards only you are putting on yourself is a great start. This will lead to your children seeing you as a stronger, happier parent and in return your

children will see happier parenting. With that circular therapeutic technique you’ve already begun to start the process of reducing stress not only for yourself but everyone else in your life. We are living in a society that shows us everyday how that new car with the big red bow in your driveway would be the perfect holiday gift. For many this is the way the holiday season looks, but for others this is not reality.

For some this is only a dream and a dream that is not reality (maybe not this year). Let’s all calm down and realize what true happiness is: a stress free life. This is the best gift you can give yourself.

First, acknowledge what’s realistic for you personally. Secondly, live in a manner that represents that realistic lifestyle.

The third step would be to sit down with your spouse and family members to hear what they are feeling; start a conversation with them so this is an open area to explore. This puts everyone on the same page with the understanding that we all face these stresses at this time of year. It’s very normal to feel this way. Normalizing the situation is always a great step when it comes to dealing with stress and depression.

The fourth way to move on with stress is to address and resolve this for good. Finding a professional psychotherapist who understands you and understands your needs would

be a great final step. A therapist can help you with these steps and can achieve this as a life change. You will have the tools to make your life better, and not only during the holiday seasons, but make life more enjoyable year round.

These stressors are part of a lifestyle and a lifestyle that we need to change to make this a better you. That can be the best gift you’ve ever given yourself during the holiday season. What I see in my practice this time of year are people who really want to make a change, and a change for good.

Sometimes it takes events, holidays, or something in your life to finally make that step. Please take this time to make these changes for yourself and your family. This is the most important thing you can do, and the most important thing you can do for your future. I wish everyone a happy holiday season and the best change for your life: a healthier view of yourself and your future. LL Matthew Weldon Gelber is a psychotherapist in The Weldon Center in Malvern, Pa. The Weldon Center is known for its personalized psychological care on the Main Line and Chester County.

Matt is available for consultations. Call his office at (610) 3105898 or visit www.MattGelber.com.

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November | December 2012 Local Living

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Local Living November | December 2012

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You Ask, Pete Answers ...

By Peter Buchsbaum

A

s you know by now Vince and I believe that one size does not fit all when it comes to mortgages.

That holds true today as it has in easier times.

The concept is just being magnified as the rules continue to change. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) was once a necessary evil that allowed you to put down less money on your purchase. So you paid a little higher payment but got to keep more of your savings. You hopefully found a balance between the two. The IRS made PMI a little more palatable by allowing some borrowers (based on income limits) to deduct the payment. As that rule changed for 2012 tax returns, the “advantage” loan was born. A slightly higher interest rate avoids the PMI and the actual payment drops.

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Local Living November | December 2012

While this loan fits a lot of customers’ needs it is not an advantage if you plan to stay in your home for the next 30 years. Hence — one size does not fit all.

Our goal is to have you meet with us and try on some different loans for size.

Q: What is private mortgage insurance and how expensive is it?

a: When you borrow more than 80% of the purchase price your lender requires you to have a third party insure the difference between the 80% and what you are borrowing. The cost is based on how high a percentage you are borrowing and your credit score. By way of an example 95% financing

with an average score and $250,000 loan the cost is typically $196 per month.

month and the increase in rate is only $53. Thus an actual savings of $143 per month for a higher rate.

Q: How long before it goes away? a: When your loan balance reaches 78% of the original

purchase price the PMI automatically goes away. This is a mandatory federal regulation. Again typically that 78% is reached in about 10 to 12 years.

Q: Is the extra payment deductable? a: The PMI was deductable to those who earned less than

the IRS income limit until 2012. As of 2012 it will no longer be deductable. There is legislation pending to extend the old rule but it appears unlikely it will pass.

Q: How does the higher payment reduce my payment?

Q: The typical increase in rate to avoid PMI is about .375%.

Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services, L.P. NMLS #1071; Peter Buchsbaum, (NMLS #133257) is Licensed as a NJ Mortgage Loan Originator License (#9409934); Licensed by the PA Department of Banking (Mortgage Originator License #25455). The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services. Rates, Terms, Fees, Products, Programs and Equity requirements are subject to change without notice. For qualified borrowers only. Š 2012 Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services, L.P. Equal Housing Lender.

On a typical loan of $250,000 the PMI cost is $196 per

November | December 2012 Local Living

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sor Match, Inc. as well as Local Living magazine.

FINANCE

Financial Planning with Knowledge, Integrity and Trust: Soloff Wealth Management

By Adam Soloff

I

n addition to being a Certified Financial Planner™ Practitioner (CFP®), Adam Soloff differs from others by being a federally authorized tax practitioner as an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This allows him to represent clients before the IRS. Additionally, Adam is licensed in virtually every line of insurance. With his extensive industry knowledge and experience, Soloff teaches the Financial Planning course in Pennsylvania State University’s Professional Development Program (Abington campus) designed for accountants and attorneys. He is personally approved by the state of Pennsylvania as a provider of continuing education to CPAs. The Penn State graduate serves as a news media resource, including KYW news radio 1060 AM and Financial Advi96

Local Living November | December 2012

Soloff Wealth Management LLC has two divisions: 1. Access to personal financial planning: This includes investment, insurance, estate and tax planning. “With every new client, the first step is to have an initial consultation to gain a complete understanding of the financial picture,” Soloff says.

2. Group benefits: Group health and group retirement.

“Despite the recent occurrences in Europe and Asia, the US markets have had a tremendous run in the past years.

The outcome of the upcoming [Presidential] election will certainly provide a degree of guidance of what to expect, at least in the short term,” says Soloff.

To fully understand the options, it is important to meet with a financial planner who is experienced in investment, insurance, estate and tax planning who can assess your plan and goals and make recommendations. Soloff ’s wife, Heather, is also on board as operations manager. The Huntingdon Valley couple has three children, Justin, 4 years old, Andrew, 2 years old and Samantha, 5 months old.

The couple established The Adam and Heather Soloff Charitable Foundation Fund, which is administered by The Philadelphia Foundation. Donations go to charities that focus on children with disabilities. “In our opinion, children with disabilities have a tough road ahead,” Soloff says.

“These charities provide services that help to build their confidence and provide early intervention so they can reach their full potential,” Soloff says.

Company loyalty is becoming rarer these days. Adam Soloff, independent financial planner and founder of Soloff Wealth Management LLC, takes commitment to a company seriously. “A lot of financial planners jump from firm to firm,” Soloff says. “But what makes or breaks an advisor’s success is not the broker/dealer, it’s their personal knowledge, integrity and trustworthiness.” During his 17 years of practicing as a financial advisor, Soloff worked 10 years with one firm before starting his own business. “Investment research is worthless,” says Soloff, “unless you know it’s unbiased.” Soloff ’s broker/dealer is LPL Financial, an independent broker/dealer without any investment banking or proprietary products. As a youth, Soloff worked his way through high school and college at just one business: Martin’s Aquarium in Jenkintown, PA. LL Soloff Wealth Management is located at 20 Roy Lane Huntingdon Valley, (215) 874-7147.

Email Adam.Soloff@SoloffWealth.com or visit www.SoloffWealth.com for more information.

Adam is the Director of Investment Services and Financial Services at Soloff Wealth Management, www.SoloffWealth.com.

Access to Investments and Financial Planning through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor and member FINRA/ SIPC.

to honor

Worcester Wreath Company, Harrington, Maine

by Diane Burns

I

t all began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company, found himself with a surplus of over 4,000 wreaths at the end of the season.

Remembering his visit as a child to Arlington National Cemetery and the profound effect the experience had on him, he decided to try and arrange to have the extra wreaths placed on some of the graves at Arlington. His mission was to honor those who had sacrificed so much for their country.

Every year since Worcester and his group of volunteers have made the journey to Arlington. Their annual tribute went on quietly for many years, until 2005 when the project became known nationally after a photo of the wreathed decorated stones appeared on the Internet. Not long after, the company was deluged with thousands of requests asking how they could help with the distribution of wreaths or information on how they could emulate the project in their own state ceremonies.

Though Mr. Worcester could not supply wreaths to all the states, he did send seven wreaths to every state, one for each branch of the service and for POW/MIAs. The Arlington Wreath Project is notified by the director of the cemetery which location has been selected for that year’s wreath-laying. Cemetery administrators give the participants in the wreath-laying instructions to only place wreaths on graves bearing a Christian cross or on non-denominational ones.

In 2007 a non-profit group called Wreaths Across America was formed by the Worcester family along with veterans and volunteers. Since its inception the group has expanded to more than 230 state and National cemeteries and veteran monuments across the United States. The project is privately funded by individuals and corporate sponsors. By 2010, Wreaths Across America and its national volunteers laid over 22,000 wreaths at 545 locations in the U.S. and overseas. Included recently were Valley Forge, Bunker Hill, Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 sites.

The annual caravan, escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, begins on the second Saturday of December. It has become the largest veteran’s parade in the country. The caravan stops at schools, monuments and communities along the way reminding people how important it is to teach our children to remember and honor those who have sacrificed so much to insure our freedom. Last year over 15,000 volunteers placed over 90,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. LL “Rest easy, sleep well my brothers, Know the line has been held, your job is done.”

Diane Burns is a writer currently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Celebrate the Holidays at the Castles Fonthill Castle

December 1-31 Winter Wonderland Holiday Decoration Tours See the castle decked out for the holiday season. Reservations suggested, call 215.348.9461.

Mercer Museum

December 1-January 13, 2013 Under the Tree: A Century of Holiday Toys Holiday exhibit captures the excitement of Christmas.

For more holiday programs at the Castles, visit mercermuseum.org.

Mercer Museum

LL

Pine Street & Scout Way Doylestown, PA

Fonthill Castle

East Court Street & Route 313, Doylestown, PA

Byers’ Choice Ltd. Byers’ Choice Ltd., creator of the famous Caroler® figurines, is one of the largest producers of Christmas decorations in the United States.

Each Caroler is handmade in the company’s Bucks County, Pa. site, also home to a Christmas Museum and Gift Emporium. Tour the museum and enjoy the miniature Christmas village and life-size Dickensian London street scene. The museum also features more than two hundred nativities from around the world, including an18th century Italian presepio. Stand on the observation deck

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and watch as the artisans bring the Carolers to life. Visit the museum for many special exhibits and events scheduled throughout the year!

Byers’ Choice Gift Emporium offers the best selection of seasonal gifts, accessories and Caroler figurines. For more information, please visit www.byerschoice.com or call (215) 822-6700.

4355 County Line Road Chalfont, PA 18914 Open Mon. to Sat. 10 am to 5 pm & Sun. Noon to 5 pm Closed Major Holidays Free Admission

Local Living November | December 2012

During the Christmas holidays Byers’ Choice Ltd’s Design Room where carolers are created, becomes a lively theater drawing visitors into the world of Scrooge.

November | December 2012 Local Living

cultural corner

O

n a chilly winter’s eve, gazing at the blanket of newly fallen snow, one envisions Charles Dickens’ Victorian London.

There’s the clopping of hooves as horses pull brightly decorated carriages and sounds of sleigh bells lend an air of gaiety. Listen carefully and you can almost hear whispers of the ghosts of Christmas past and future. Or perhaps, Ebenezer Scrooge mumbling ‘bah, humbug’ just before Marley’s chained, condemned apparition appears.

A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens, has been a legendary novella since 1843, and has delighted many generations. And now, Gerald Charles Dickens, the great, great grandson of Dickens himself, is passionately continuing his grandfather’s legacy. It all comes to life at Byers’ Choice Ltd., creators of the world-famous handcrafted Caroler figurines, as they present this fabulous literary sensation guaranteed to delight your senses. Gerald (Dickens) expertly takes on the roles of every character with humor, elegance and sophistication. But, Gerald didn’t become interested in his namesake’s works until later in life.

“The truth is that throughout my childhood I actually had no interest in Charles Dickens’ works,” he says. “My first love was theatre, rather than literature.

It was in 1980 when I saw a theatrical adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. The RSC had written a complete adaptation of the novel and the show lasted for eight hours. It was while watching that performance when I began to realize how rich the novels are in language and character. From that moment I became a fan.”

Gerald decided to start performing his one-man performance of A Christmas Carol. According to Gerald, the important thing about the show is that it’s theatrical entertainment first and foremost, and he hopes that it captures Dickens’ theatrical spirit.

“I was asked to give a reading of A Christmas Carol in 1993, which marked the 150th anniversary of the publication of it,” he explains. “The show was to be one in aid of charity, but I had such fun working with all of the characters, finding voices for them, expressions for their faces, ways of easily transferring from one char-

by Donna Dvorak

Dicken’s Great Great Grandson Keeping Christmas Past Alive

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cultural corner

acter to another within a conversation, that I decided to perform it again the following year. It is not a dry, academic reading of the book, but an energetic performance.”

Besides Gerald doing his one-man show nattily clad in Victorian garb as he struts across the stage, his only props are a top hat, duck-head cane, candle, hat stand and chair.

He’s a handsome ‘bloke’. And since both young and old

love the story, he develops camaraderie with the audience that engages everyone’s attention. The audience was mesmerized by his ability to change from one character to another with his smooth, almost magical transition! At last year’s performance he had an announcement: another generation of Dickens was born.

“The newborn was my niece’s son, Joe, so he’s my great nephew,” he proudly states.

Last year my husband and I were privileged to see his show, in which his ability to adapt his body and interpret all of the characters was simply amazing. We felt honored to speak privately with him, enchanted as we were by his clipped British accent and humor. We had previously visited the Dickens House, on Doughty Street, in Bloomsbury (London) and he was excited to speak about the ancestral home, now a museum.

Charles Dickens penned Nicholas Nickelby and Oliver Twist during the two years he was in residence. This year it was renovated with Great Expectations.

The past twelve months have been significant.

Charles Dickens would have been 200 years old, and beau coup celebrations have marked the importance of his works. In fact, in September, Gerald Dickens performed his one-man performance of Doctor Marigold.

“It’s important to recognize my great, great grandfather’s birthday in Philadelphia as he was particularly fond of the city,” explains Gerald.

During the Christmas holidays Byers’ Choice Ltd’s Design Room where carolers are created, becomes a lively theater drawing visitors into the world of Scrooge. The ambiance and atmosphere is enhanced, pre-show, by an outstanding group of singing carolers.

“They are part of the Central Bucks West and Central Bucks East Choirs who will be performing on different days,” says Joyce Byers. “We also serve punch and cookies for all who come to see the performance.”

Dates: Saturday December 15, 2012 at 1 p.m. and 5:30, and Sunday December 16, at 1 p.m.

For more information or tickets contact Byers’ Choice Ltd. at 215-822-6700 or visit www.byerschoice.com. LL Donna Dvorak is a Philadelphia-born freelance writer, reporter, award-winning poet, author, columnist, and creative writing teacher. She currently resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

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Local Living November | December 2012

profile

Navidad Nativities

By Daurelle Golden Harris

S

ince the 13th century, and possibly earlier, the nativity scene, or crèche, has been a worldwide symbol of faith and hope. From the live nativities staged by St. Francis of Assisi on a hillside in Greccio, Italy in 1223, to the superb craftsmanship of the Neapolitan ‘presepi’, these priceless works of art have inspired millions with the story of Christ’s birth.

For three decades, Michael Stumpf, founder of Navidad Nativities, Inc., has been honoring this holy event by creating distinctive heirloom-quality crèches and stunning oneof-a-kind commissioned pieces, often with his associate, Todd Parlee.

Childhood memories of his local parish’s Christmas nativity prompted Michael to build a crèche for his wife and daughter in the mid-1980s. “Soon, family and friends began to commission them as gifts for their children or grandchildren, or as wedding, anniversary and birthday gifts, and other special occasions. Many families display my nativities year ‘round,” says Michael.

Michael credits his interest in crèches to ancestors from Germany and Italy who were artists and architects saying, “My passion comes from a higher source–it’s a true spiritual legacy.”

And, as anyone who has pursued a passion knows, evolution is an inherent part of the process. “I realized during my research in Europe, that I wanted to refine my craft and find new inspiration for my own signature designs,” adds Michael. “ I visited The National Museum in Munich, which displays a large collection of nativity scenes that date back to the 17th century. Friends, Bob and Joyce Byers, of Byers’ Choice, Ltd., who own two of my designs, suggested I visit The Museum of San Martino, which houses a grand nativity with lights that change from dusk to dawn.”

Navidad nativities have been featured in local, regional and national magazines. Michael was awarded Best of Show at the 1999 Pennsylvania Holiday Show. He has exhibited at the Byers’ Choice Nativity Museum, was a featured speaker at the National Crèche Convention in Lancaster, Pa., and invited to be a guest on The Martha Stewart Show.

His work is in private collections around the world, and in the reproduction nativities he created for the Roman, Inc., Fontanini brand. Navidad Nativities are created with balsa and bass wood¬–all hand-carved including the rock bases, and other natural materials. No one else in this country approaches this tradition at this European level. Every nativity is lighted internally to produce a soft and warm glow, with hand-carved and hand-painted figures selected from the masters located at the foot of the Italian Alps, including Ulrich Perathoner, and the artisans of Lepi and Anri.

A photographer, graphic artist and painter, Michael is also senior partner with ParleeStumpf, a marketing, branding and web development agency in Doylestown, Pa. Of his nativities, Michael says, “There is great joy and intimacy achieved when I am working on a crèche setting–whether traditional, classical or contemporary–that transcends the commercialization of Christmas, and goes to the heart of a unique and engaging presentation of the birth of Jesus Christ.”

For more information about Navidad, visit navidadusa.com.

Daurelle Golden Harris is a freelance journalist and community relations strategist residing in Bucks County, PA. November | December 2012 Local Living

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Local Living November | December 2012

senior perspective Words and Wisdom

The Family

by Diane Burns

T

he turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings of our Thanksgiving dinner had been consumed but the aroma of the meal still lingered in the air. We had been assured that all of the cakes and pies we had sampled were calorie-free. (Really?) (No.) The younger children were downstairs playing Twister yelling and laughing constantly.

All of the older kids were talking around the dining room table. The men were watching football in the living room or catching a nap. It seemed like any other Thanksgiving holiday, or so I thought.

Soon we were all gathered in the dining room to talk about the things we were most thankful for and to celebrate two birthdays: my son’s 50th and my 70th. We sang the usual birthday song and blew out the candles (so many of them it created quite a blaze). We then expressed thanks for the wonderful meal we had eaten and for the world we live in.

As the expressions of gratitude continued, the atmosphere suddenly changed in the room. The next few things people were thankful for became more profound and personal.

A young child spoke of how happy she was that her mother was with us today because her mom had been very ill. Now Mom was so much better and was able to share this day with all of us. The mother then spoke of how happy she was to be here to celebrate this holiday with her entire family around her.

Two young women expressed how much their father meant to each of them, something they hadn’t said to him in a long time, while their siblings expressed how supportive their parents were with all of their activities and sporting events.

Earlier that summer we had lost a special young man in our family. We were reminded by his mother how precious and short life can be. She expressed to us the importance of making each day count and how we should live it to the fullest. Sometimes, she said, we get so wrapped up in our daily

lives we forget how precious life is and how fleeting time can be. We shared fond memories of the young man we had lost so recently. There were tears of loss but also laughter as we recalled his many antics and celebrated his wonderful sense of humor.

As each of my family members shared their thoughts, I realized that what they were really saying was how grateful they all were for our family. We’ve had our good times and bad ones too, arguments and hurt feelings and times of great sorrow but as one member said, “we’ve always had each other’s backs.” We’re not the perfect family but we are a FAMILY comprised of many different personalities and temperaments. We’ve learned to love and accept one another for who we are, warts and all.

This was not our original plan for Thanksgiving that year.

We were supposed to be at the shore for a long weekend to celebrate my birthday. But as we all know life can throw us curves now and then. How we handle those curves is how our character is built.

And so we didn’t go away for the weekend; instead we gathered at my daughter’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.

As I sat there at the table and listened to all my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren talk about what they were grateful for I realized I must have done something right in my life. I had raised a loving and caring family. I had accomplished the job a mother is supposed to do.

Our plans changed but the way it turned out was more meaningful, and this was a holiday I will cherish forever. We are a family that truly cares about one another.

How blessed I am! LL Diane Burns is a writer currently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

To submit feedback or respond to our senior perspective topic, send an email to Diane Burns at dburnsllmag@gmail.com.

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Local Living November | December 2012

LEGAL

Keeping Peace at the Holidays: Strategies for Divorce or Separated Parents

By Kevin J. Handy, Esq., Cooley & Handy, Attorneys at Law, PLLC

F

or adults, the holidays are an opportunity to try to recapture some of the magic and wonder of their childhoods. Children, however, are just forming their memories and feelings about the holidays. Imagine that if, instead of associating the holidays with joy, you associated them with stress and fights. That is the reality for many children of divorced or separated parents, although it doesn’t have to be that way.

There are a number of simple steps that divorced or separated parents can take to minimize conflict during the holidays.

1. Have a clear written holiday custody schedule in place.

The most important step that divorced or separated parents can take to minimize conflict during the holidays is to have a clear written holiday custody schedule in place.

A written schedule is important so there are no misunderstandings and each parent can plan his or her holiday activities accordingly. The children should be told the schedule in advance so they also know what to expect.

2. Respect the schedule.

Once a written holiday custody schedule is in place, parents should make every effort to follow that schedule. Be on time or early for all custody exchanges. Being late for a custody exchange is probably the number one source of conflict between separated parents. The potential for conflict is higher during the holidays, when time with children is coveted and events are planned.

3. Stay in touch.

Even the best-laid plans can go awry due to unexpected traffic, illness, or other unforeseen events. Make sure you

have your cell phone charged and with you at all times during the holidays and a number where the other parent can be reached. If you do encounter a problem that may cause you to be late, call immediately, apologize and offer to give the other parent make-up time.

4. Recognize that your children want to share the holidays with both of their parents.

Even if you dislike your ex-partner, in all likelihood your children still love and want to spend meaningful time with him or her during the holidays. Facilitating that time will make your children respect you. Interfering with that time will make your children resent you for spoiling their holidays.

5. Mind your own business.

You wouldn’t want your ex-partner to tell you how or with whom to celebrate the holidays, so don’t try to tell him or her how to celebrate them. Even if you dislike your former partners’ traditions, in-laws or new significant other, keep your mouth shut unless they pose a real danger to your children.

6. Keep your focus on your children during the holidays.

Finally, remember that the holidays should be about creating wonderful memories for your children. Avoid the temptation to make the holidays about you and your needs.

Cooley & Handy, Attorneys at Law focuses its practice in all areas of family law, including divorce, custody and support. www.cooleyhandy.com 215.345.8000 info@cooleyhandy.com

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Local Living November | December 2012

FINANCE

Wills, Trusts, Beneficiary Forms: Who Rules?

By Mark Fried

I

f what you believe to be true isn’t true, when would you want to know about it? One of the most ignored but important jobs we all have is to create and maintain a proper estate plan. I know that thinking about one’s own death isn’t fun but if you love your spouse, your children or your grandchildren you really need to deal with these issues. Even if you have a plan in place, if it hasn’t been reviewed in the last ten years it’s time to review and renew your documents.

One area of estate planning that is often overlooked is the beneficiary form for your 401(k)s, IRAs, annuities and life insurance.

In the case of life insurance, most of us know that it is a great vehicle for transferring tax-free wealth to our spouse or the next generation. The only problem is that if not structured correctly you may lose your tax-free status. Here’s a tip: If the owner and the insured are the same person, it may be time to get a second opinion concerning the structure and purpose of your policy.

A second common area that mistakes are made is with naming beneficiaries for your 401(k) or IRA accounts.

Here’s an interesting story for you. A guy (we’ll call him John) is married to a gal (we’ll call her Mary) for many years.

They get divorced. In the divorce agreement, Mary gives up all rights to John’s 401(k) plan and life insurance. John changes his will and trust to name his children as beneficiaries of all of his assets but he never changes the beneficiary of either his 401(k) or his life insurance. Mary is still listed on those documents.

Then John dies. Who gets the money from his 401(k) and his life insurance? Do his children get the money because they are named as his beneficiaries of his will and trust? Or does Mary get the money because she is named as beneficiary of his life insurance and his 401(k)? (Remember, she signed off all rights to this money in the divorce agreement.)

The answer is Mary; Mary gets the money. Why? Because beneficiary agreements trump wills and trusts!

The Supreme Court has ruled in multiple cases, usually 9 - 0, that beneficiary forms override all others, with some exceptions (some of which I’ll explain in a minute).

Now, let’s change the facts a bit. Let’s assume that John also changed the beneficiary forms on his life insurance and 401(k) and named his children as beneficiaries. Who gets the money now?

In this case, the children get the money as expected.

One more change to the facts. Let’s imagine John gets remarried to Joan. His children are still listed as the beneficiaries on both his life insurance and his 401(k). He is married to Joan for six months and then dies. Who gets the money?

Answer: the children get the life insurance and Joan likely gets his 401(k), even though the children are listed as beneficiaries.

How can this be?

This is because 401(k) plans are “ERISA” plans. ERISA plans require the spouse to be the beneficiary, unless one signs a waiver giving up one’s rights to the money. Odds are very high that John never had his new wife sign that form (who even knows about this anyway?). Since Joan is John’s wife at his death, ERISA says she receives the money and not the children.

How could he have gotten around that one? John could have moved his money into an IRA, which is a non-ERISA plan, and then the money would have gone to the kids, as he wished.

Beneficiary rules are complex, and as a result, many times money goes places it shouldn’t. This may be a good opportunity for you to call our office at (215) 968-1755 to talk to an expert on beneficiary planning. It’s free to do and it may uncover some significant issues. LL Mark Fried, Founder and President of TFG Wealth Management, is uniquely qualified as an Investment Advisor for these complex times. Beyond his training and certifications, Mark’s diverse experience includes being Director of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Authority, Vice President in the Investment Advisory Department of W.H. Newbold and Son, President of Stone Bridge Trust Company, Investment Advisor for a Fortune 400 family, and former owner of a bene¬fits and 401(k) company which assisted hundreds of small busi¬ness owners. You can reach Mark directly at mark@tfgwealth.com or visit the company website at www.tfg-wealth.com.

November | December 2012 Local Living

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Local

goes local

Tennessee A Smoky Mountain Christmas

By Diane Burns

T

his month we take you on a journey to the state of Tennessee to show you how the holiday season is celebrated in The Great Smoky Mountains. As you travel along the 326 byway you’ll be greeted by many towns tucked away in the mountains decorated with millions of twinkling lights for the Christmas holiday. In these towns you’ll find lively music with people dancing in the street and enjoying the holiday food made to tantalize the palate.

Make a stop in Gatlinburg to enjoy the Fantasy of Lights Parade. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the celebration this year. The parade, a yearly holiday event, features floats, equestrian units, giant balloons and of course what would a parade be without marching bands. Experience the Christmas spirit by taking a trolley tour of the town that’s been decorated in its entire holiday splendor.

The next stop on your journey might be at Dollywood, an exciting amusement park for old and young alike. This park has more than heart-stopping 112

Local Living November | December 2012

rides for the fearless. It offers holiday musical stage shows, Santa’s workshop with larger than life toys and a parade led by Santa himself.

There are many opportunities to enjoy the music of the season by attending one or more of the many shows offered such as An Appalachian Christmas, at the Back Porch Theater, Christmas in the Smokies on Showstreet, or Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice. Whatever your preference the show will be an exciting experience.

Continue on to the town of Pigeon Forge just outside of Dollywood. Lose yourself in the Great Smoky Mountain Flea Market with over a thousand vendors spread over 200,000 square feet.

Find that special or unusual gift you’ve been searching for or just purchase a memento of your mountain adventure.

Besides great shopping in Pigeon Forge you’ll find wonderful restaurants featuring down-home cooking and quaint shops where you can buy a great hot cup of cocoa to warm you after a day of shopping. While in town be sure

to check out The Christmas Place, the premier store to find that perfect holiday gift. The store has over 60 theme dec orated trees to excite and inspire you with ideas for your own tree at home.

The store features a large variety of lights and some beautiful hand-crafted ornaments that surly become a family favorite. Take a moment to visit the Singing Santa and maybe purchase a treat from Mrs. Claus’ Candy Kitchen.

Take a little time to visit Christmas Wonderland at Smoky Stadium in Sevierville. On display are hundreds of thousands of synchronized LED lights in a drive-thru attraction nearly a mile long. Another fun event is the Santa Hustle a half-marathon and 5K run of participants dressed as Santa.

For further information on any of these events go on the web and Google Smoky Mountain Christmas in Tennessee. LL Diane Burns is a writer currently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

LOCAL LIVING NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012

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