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Love Fall in

with Autumn HARVEST YOUR HOME FOR EASY ENTERTAINING CLEVER DESIGNS THAT ELEVATE YOUR SPACE DELICIOUS PIE RECIPES FEATURING FALL’S FINEST FRUITS

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features 10 Clever Design Elevates a Space 42 The ABCs of Virtual School Success

32

36 Palm Springs: On Par with the Legends

64 what’s cooking

travel

26 The Fork 1-1 Harvest

Your Home for Entertaining 32 Fall Pie Recipes

64 Local Goes Local - Newport, RI

home & style 21

22 56

Closets by Design: You Do Not Need to Buy a Bigger House Keller Williams: Building by lifestyle, The New Trend One Man’s Trash Another Man’s Treasure

health & wellness 41 What Should I Pack in My Kids Lunchbox?

52 Profile: St. Luke’s Quakertown Urologist Dr. Kousari

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

fashion 47 Fashionista: Closet Treasures for Fall

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

publisher’s page

Now with summer behind us, we can look forward to enjoying the crisp and glorious colors and flavors the season brings. here’s just about no better time to live in the communities we enjoy here. Besides the natural beauty our region displays, there is no shortage of events and activities that enable you to take full advantage of the bounty at harvest time. Take a short drive in almost any direction and you arrive at a pick-it-yourself apple orchard, or pumpkin patch.

Get your thrills and chills from a haunted corn maze and a hay ride, with the moon as your only guide… if you dare. Who can resist?

I

And after you’ve had your share of the great outdoors, bring some back inside while you sip your hot cider. It’s a great time of year to get started on those home improvement projects that were put off because of the oppressive summer heat. We decided to bring the elegance of the season to your interior space with our Home feature and TheFork-1-1’s entertaining ideas. Whether you are adding crown molding to your living room or arranging table settings in your dining room, you will be amazed at how far a little creativity goes towards achieving a decadent touch. There is always something in each of our homes that needs painting, repairing or a room that needs that extra-special something new. Pick a room and start today.

And if you are still procrastinating, take a moment right now to finish reading this month’s issue of Local Living magazine. It’s a great way to stay connected with your community. We help you stay on top of what’s happening in your town and when to be where you want to be. You’ll know about local events, current trends in fashion, fabulous restaurants to dine, home improvement tips, along with important information in for your health & wellness. Local Living Magazine: Dedicated to your home, your community, your life – and keeping it all connected, one person at a time.

Enjoy the foliage of the season,

Karen A. Kovacs, Publisher

Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

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Clever

DESIGN

ELEVATES A SPACE

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

By Pattie Krukowski It was about 10 years ago that my husband and I bought our dream home. We had to borrow $1000 from my mother-in-law and use credit cards at closing but we did it anyway. Back then, we thought the house was fantastic just the way it was but also had dozens of ideas of how to make small improvements over time to really make it ours.

A decade later, many dream home owners are still looking at the same cookie cutter rooms framed by ordinary walls grounded by thin, simple baseboard.

Windows still wear the same uninspired shades that came with the house. You are surrounded by eggshell, ecru and other creative terms for off-white so, basically, it looks like the house was primed but the painting was never finished. Does this story speak to you?

Does your home make a statement? Or does it scream, “Who am I?!�

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

Interior designers and decorators come in all shapes and sizes so make sure you choose one that you communicate well with.

You don’t have to move to get the living space you’ve always dreamed of. Clever design ideas can completely reinvent your existing home and bring your personality to the forefront. Your first task is to decide what your style really is and in order to do this, you merely have to pick up several interior decorator magazines to see what speaks to you. Visiting a designer showcase house in your area is always a fun way to get inspired, although most of them are not for the faint of heart as they usually showcase more cutting edge type styles. If you love a number of styles, you can always label yourself eclectic like I have. Interior designers and decorators come in all shapes and sizes so make sure you choose one that you communicate well with.

One of the simplest ways to elevate the status of any room in your home is to apply trim. Baseboard, crown molding, wainscoting, chair rails and shadow boxing create a finished look and can be found in appealing shapes and sizes to complement existing architectural characteristics. Crown moldings and baseboards can be stacked to create the look you want. Even off-white paint is new again when covering walls with dimension. The still life I painted in college almost makes me feel like a serious artist once hung on walls framed by a repetition of panel like squares. Bedrooms are bringing sexy back. 50 shades of grey, or any other tone that seduces you, speak volumes when painted from a high chair rail and below and with a complimentary or contrasting color painted above and on the ceiling. Textured wall paper, framed with squares takes a simple white ceiling to a higher level. Plain fireplace mantels invite a smolder when dressed with decorative cornices.

Valences find themselves at home even where drapes are not welcome. A friend that lives in Nantucket has an aversion to so-called window treatments and why wouldn’t she? The focal point of her interior style is what lies outside her walls. She chose to install either wooden or fabric covered valences on otherwise bare windows as her landscape outside invites privacy. Capping average existing kitchen cabinets with wide crown molding completely changes the personality of the room. Useless space above existing cabinets can be better utilized by stacking smaller cabinets above and then use crown molding to bridge the gap to the ceiling. Do you have stained cabinets? Stain new wood or faux paint to match.

Wallpaper, antique brick and creative artistry transform the average wall to the topic of conversation. After spending too much time in exposed brick walled taverns, we created our own tavern feel by installing veneer brick on the back wall of our family room. The brick was then lightly cream washed and then layered with gold and grey glaze to mimic the view out of the French doors leading to the antique brick patio. The other three walls are chair railed and shadow boxed and painted an opaque version of the cream wash used on the brick. If your goal is to make a one-of-a-kind statement, perhaps you will be lucky enough to commission the talents of an artist to

Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

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transform your space from dull to dreamy. Murals are show stoppers that range from the convincing to the mythical. Kitchens bloom when illuminated with Trompe L’oeil. Every night is a black tie affair when a dining room ceiling becomes a canvas. Murals distinguish an enduring sense of confidence in one’s interior style. Together with the artist, you choose the illusion to live in.

What features and characteristics make your home noticeable? You decide.

Pattie Krukowski is a freelance writer currently residing in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

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Our mastery of trimwork includes the art of combining different moldings into one profile. The finished look is customized, distinguishing your home as truly unique.

For hundreds of examples, see our photo gallery online.

Home Trimwork

My approach to design is: Edit furnishings and accessories, choose the “right” paint color, and display interesting accessories... not 20 photos of your child at every age, and don’t shop at places like Home Goods but rather go to antique malls, art museum gift shops, or flea markets. Just because you own something, as in, “This vase was a gift from Aunt Sally…” is not a good enough reason to display it for the next 20 years.

Joan Conroy Interiors 18

Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

Express yourself, not only through how you dress but through the creation of a room that is quintessentially you.

Since 1927 Oskar Huber furniture has been taking care of the details you need to make your space your own.

Oskar Huber Furniture

These green reproduction midcentury style leather chairs meet the eye with the surprise of the avant-garde. Susan Taylor turns her Bucks County store into a quirky lab for living.

Whatever your decorating challenge is take some cues from a designer who makes producing a surprise her signature style.

Black-Eyed Susan Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

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Any construction project can be stressful, particularly a kitchen
renovation. To be successful, choose a reputable contractor to
coordinate every trade to make the project run seamlessly.

Jarrett Vaughan

Know your fabricator & know your stone: research their reputation for quality work.

Use a contractor that does not outsource any aspect of their work, and see your full slab before you purchase it.

Suburban Marble & Granite

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

profile

Closets by Design: You Do Not Need to Buy a Bigger House

W

e’ve all been there: “If only there was an extra room we could stash all of this in.” Every home has its stuff that could use a better system of organization. (Hail George Carlin.) For 30 years, Closets by Design has been designing custom solutions to this common dilemma. “Every design we create maximizes the space available while creating an inviting environment that you will want to be in.” explains Charles Waterman, owner.

And in this case, “custom” doesn’t mean it has to cost a fortune. Waterman explains, “A designer will come to your home to give you expert ideas, and from those ideas, you can choose the right blend of form and function that fits your budget.”

Sound Advice

Closets by Design knows exactly what questions to ask to make your transition to simpler living a breeze. The designer meets with you with one goal: to understand what your needs are and then to translate them into a design that fits your lifestyle. This includes taking inventory of the clothing in your closet, items in your garage and the type of office equipment and filing you have in your home office. “Once finalized, the design is sent to our state-of-the-art manufacturing center in Chester County. After it is manufactured

to our clients’ exact specifications, we send out our expert installation team,” says Waterman.

Custom Cabinetry

“The name is Closets by Design, so of course we do wonderful things with your closets, but we also have the best solutions for other areas, such as your garage.” Waterman says, “Our garage cabinets are the best available, each cabinet is its own unit—it does not share a panel with the adjacent cabinet. This means that each cabinet is not only stronger, but is modular and allows for future design changes as your family or hobbies change.” All construction is made of exceedingly durable materials. Choices include accessories to hold almost anything from bikes, baseball bats, golf clubs, and tennis racquets to hunting equipment, gardening tools, and kids’ toys. Built in to every design is the agility to maximize space by moving items around as needs change. Systems are installed to a wide variety of surfaces, including dry wall, directly to studs, concrete, brick or cinderblock.

Closets by Design of PA and DE is located at 928 Springdale Dr., Exton, Pennsylvania, 19341. For more information or to schedule your free in home consultation, visit the company’s website at www.closetsbydesign.com or call (877) 684-4006.

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

It’s Nothing Short of Revolutionary: Building by Lifestyle, The New Trend.

Building a new home can be a really fun and rewarding experience. The new trend is buildersworking with the buyers to find the lifestyle details that will make the new home fit their needs perfectly. Working with design experts, architects and land experts together they engineer thehome of the buyers’ dreams within their budget.

Studio(e) has this down to a science.

Rotelle Development Company has created a system that both guards and guides their clients as they craft custom dream homes. Consumers benefit from 27 years of in-house expertise and vetted trade partners all under one roof, all while enjoying the process. From lot selection to financing, from architect to designer, Rotelle celebrates the client and makes owning a custom home fiscally attainable.

It’s the magic formula for fulfilling the American Dream, and only Rotelle Development Company has it at their newly christened tour de force, Studio(e).

From the sandbox housing miniature land lots with exchangeable features to the Expressions scattered throughout the studio’s open interior, Rotelle has produced a pitch-perfect environment in which to create a home that fits your everything. “We want our studio space to reflect our passion for designing and building unique homes in an enjoyable and comforting atmosphere,” says CEO Peter Rotelle.

And it does.

Studio(e) reflects owner Peter Rotelle’s creativity and innovation at every turn. And what’s more, Rotelle has done something few other builders have achieved, they’re fun to work with.

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

“A home is the most expensive purchase you’ll make, so we believe it should be enjoyable, relaxing, and yes – fun,” says Rotelle. On clear days, visitors can tell time via the human sundial near the building’s entrance or have Peter grill up some grub on the patio, a Rodin-inspired frog evaluating the scene from his perch atop a firewood-infused wall.

The adventure customers experience inside Studio(e)’s carefully restored historic building is every bit as unique as what they enjoy outside . In fact, part of Rotelle’s allure is their philosophy that homes should be built from the inside out. “We begin by asking customers to tell us about their lives. Do they have children? What are their hobbies? Are they active? Enjoy cooking?

Sip wine on the patio, explore the Expressions, dig in the sandbox. Dream big, and do so knowing everything you’ll need is under one roof: Rotelle’s Studio (e) - and soon your very own custom home.

Want to visit or learn more please call my cell at 610-574-9271 or our office at 610-792-5900 Happy House Hunting, Terese Brittingham

After we learn what makes them unique, we can begin to plan their dream home. The customers are the main ingredient in our custom homes,” concludes Chief Designer Renee Pratt.

Pratt, part of the trifecta of builder, designer, and architect that solidifies Rotelle’s dream-team, identifies Studio(e)’s Expressions – personal home customizations – as a facet that distinguishes them from competitors. “The studio is peppered with Expression options, from convertible closets and chalkboard walls in the bedroom to wine rooms, basement bars, pet areas, and kitchen utensil endcaps.” Best of all, exploration of these options is tactile, kinesthetic, and visual. “This experience is in 3D,” says architect Heather Ryan. “People understand the world with all of their senses. No decision this important - what features to include in your forever-home - should be made from flat, 2D images.”

Rotelle applies this ideology to their land lots, too. Studio(e) houses a revolutionary, miniature sandbox: toys included.

What does a 20 foot driveway look like? A circular drive?

Which direction should the house face? Should we plant trees or remove them? Clients can creatively manipulate all facets of their future homestead with the confidence of knowing the experts have their backs. Literally, since Rotelle’s Studio(e) employs a proprietary lot scrub process.

Says Rotelle: “It takes the risk out of purchasing land by ‘scrubbing’ the property to identify improvement costs and building issues before buying.”

Incorporated in 1989, Rotelle Development Company’s 27 years of experience affords them the benefit of partnering with those “who are superior in their fields,” says Rotelle.

“Soil scientists, lumber suppliers, construction loans that roll into 30 year fixed mortgages: we only do business with those we trust. That’s how we provide our customers with the best experience, product, and price.”

Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

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The

Fork-1-1

by Kimberly Ca mbra

Harvest Your Home for Entertaining The fall season is unquestionably the best time of year for embellishing your home with nature’s bounty, inviting the outdoors to your indoors.

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

T

he final life cycle for most plants, trees and vegetables before winter’s wrath is the fall harvest.

Fortunately living along the mid-Atlantic coast, we witness the ultimate fall landscape during this time of year. With ease and imagination, you can create cost-effective beauty for your home.

Start by identifying areas in your house that you tend to decorate during the holiday season such as a wall unit, above your kitchen cabinets, coffee table, and dining table.

If you have a fireplace with a mantel this is a good starting place because most fireplaces are focal points of a room.

Now take a step back and notice your year-round color palette and start with those colors. The mistake most people make when seasonally decorating is that they buy stuff that looked good in the store. Actually decorating for an entire season versus holiday specific is the best bang for your buck and you won’t feel obligated to take anything down the next day.

Size matters, specifically, scale; and don’t be afraid of utilizing oversized elements such as large branches from any tree in the maple family which tends to change color first in the season and will bring a warm organic tone to your interior. Look at your immediate outdoor landscape because if you can see it and cut it… it’s free. What do you see?

Goldenrod, oak tree leaves, and cornstalks. They all have a natural color that compliments the others in tones of natural husk, Indian corn, pomegranates… and hay bales, which not only have quiet color but texture too.

Let’s get inspired. Large garden supply stores sell home décor items and tend to merchandise and style vignettes which can provide a great source of influence for decorating ideas. If you see something you like in a store – take a

picture with your phone and look at it when you’re at home.

In keeping with the spirit of the Fork-1-1, where food and entertaining information flow from the tip of the tine to your mind’s eye, the next step is to incorporate these seasonal elements into the perfect table setting. You can enjoy these ideas all season long. Your tablescape should be a multitude of layered colors, textures and patterns. Bright orange may be a color that doesn’t flatter your home. However, you can spray paint pumpkins a metallic gold or flat white for a rich contrast for as little as two dollars. Colored aromatic candles or tea lights will always bring the smell of the season indoors too.

Remember when styling your table or centerpiece to keep it low to the table so your guest is able to see across the table. Place your runner down the center of the table and position larger items like sugar pumpkins which are the perfect size and scale, clustered with smaller pumpkins and gourds intermittently for balance. If you want to have autumn leaves to use year after year purchase a sleeve of preserved leaves from a floral supply or craft store and keep them in a plastic bag for storage when not in use. Another fun theme is a bowl of caramels, a basket of apples, walnuts in the shell and a jar of sticks suggesting to your friends you’re going to make chewy gooey caramel apples as a treat. Spices and herbs too are interesting elements for embellishing your table. Clear jars or vases with long sticks of cinnamon, bouquets of sage, rosemary or lavender and strands of ivy can be worked into any grouping of fall elements.

Working outwards from the centerpiece to individual place settings can prove to be a wonderful extension of your table’s theme. Colored glass goblets and patterned napkins tied with raffia or twine brings a look together. The perfect personal touch is a place card to let each guest know where he and she are to be seated. These can be made from mini pumpkins with names written in gold or green marker. Alternatively, you can make a deep cut in the pumpkin to accommodate a name card.

Now in the kitchen, for your menu consider using all types of squash and root vegetables, all possessing beautiful organic color; subtle yellows, greens and purples come to life in a simple basket, and even better in a stockpot for soup. Root vegetables have a long shelf life in dry storage which is why they tended to be staples for earlier generations, commonly used in ragouts and stews. Butternut and acorn squash are ideal for making a comforting soup enhanced with chicken stock, cream, butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and cracked pepper.

This season, take a closer look at Mother Nature’s work; she’s an exterior designer extraordinaire. “Fall” in love and harvest your home for the season.

Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

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Casa Casale is about making yourself at home!

Feel the warmth of Italian heritage!

Largest Imported Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil Selection in the Area.

COME AND SAVOR OUR DAILY PASTA TASTINGS Our espresso bar is a wonderful place to enjoy Italian coffee with a biscotti.

It will bring back memories!

Open till 12 am on Black Friday #1 and #2 Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA 18931

WWW.CASACASALE.COM

215-794-1474

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.

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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.

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

Crystal Rose Catering & Special Events Solution

“Celebrating Occasions Together” Weddings • Graduations • Drop Off ’s

Allure West Photography

Photos courtesy of Looking Glass Photography

Bert Proulx Executive Chef/Event Planner

A Full Service Event Provider 215-651-0559 www.crystalrosecatering.com

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Carmel Kitchen is your neighborhood restaurant with the inviting urban vibe featuring mix-and match Mod Med interpretative classics such as flatbreads, chickpea fries or steak frites. Drop in and try one of our signature salads or sandwiches for quick, satisfying lunch.

The high-tech touch advantage of Carmel’s iPad ordering system is a fun way to find the perfect pairing for your favorite bite or beverage.

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LUNCH • DINNER • CARMELLKITCHEN.COM

Fall

Favorite Pie Recipes

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All summer long, our ovens are filled with fruity pies filled with peaches, berries, and more. But once the temperature drops, we switch to fall flavors like pumpkin, apple, and pear. Whether you’re making dessert for a holiday feast or just want something sweet, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite pie recipes.

Apple Butter Pie

Imagine a pumpkin pie made with jarred apple butter in place of the usual canned pumpkin. It’s the perfect homebaked treat to cap off a cozy autumn supper. We suggest a sprinkling of pecan pieces over the whipped cream or ice cream before serving. We also opted for grated fresh nutmeg.

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 1/4 pounds’ apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices (6 cups) • 1/2-3/4 cup Dulce De Leche or caramel ice cream topping, slightly warmed • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional)

Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups apple butter • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 3 large eggs, slightly beaten • 1 cup evaporated milk • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional) • Chopped pecans and/or freshly grated nutmeg (optional) • 1 9-inch unbaked pie shell (recipe follows)

Directions 1. Prepare and roll out Single Crust Pie Shell pastry. Line a 9-inch pie plate with pastry. Trim overhang to an even 1 inch all the way around. Tuck the crust under and flute the edges. Do not prick pastry. Line pastry with a double thickness of foil; add pie weights, if you like. Bake in a 400 degrees F oven for 15 minutes to partially bake pastry shell.

Remove foil and pie weights. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F.

Directions 1. In a large bowl, stir together apple butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in eggs. Gradually add evaporated milk, mixing well.

2. Pour mixture into prepared pie crust. Bake in a 350-degree oven 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack. If you like, serve with whipped cream, pecans and/or grated nutmeg.

Caramel Apple Pie

Caramel-dipped apples inspire this dessert this fall season.

A mantle of flour-sugar-butter crumbs bakes crisp over the sliced crisp-tart Cortland apples. Each serving gets a spoonful of caramel topping and a sprinkling of toasted nuts.

Ingredients • Single Crust Pie Shell (Helen Fletcher’s No Fail Pie Crust) • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour • 2/3 cup sugar • 1/3 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces • 1 cup sugar

2. For crumb topping: In a medium bowl, stir together flour and the 2/3 cup sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar and cinnamon.

Add apple slices. Gently toss until coated. Transfer apple mixture to the pastry-lined pie plate. Press fruit gently with your hands to provide a relatively flat, mounded surface on which to add the crumb topping. Sprinkle crumb topping over apple mixture. To prevent overbrowning, loosely cover pie with foil.

4. Place pie plate on middle shelf in oven; place foillined baking sheet on lower rack beneath pie. Bake in a 375-degree F oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes more or until fruit is tender, filling is bubbly and crumb topping is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack at least 2 hours before serving.

5. To serve, drizzle with warm Dulce De Leche and sprinkle with nuts. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if you like. Makes 8 servings.

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Pumpkin-Gingersnap Pie

Crushed gingersnap cookies and pumpkin-pie spice add zip to the filling of this creamy pie. It’s an Amish recipe served at special occasions such as weddings.

• 1 cup coarsely crushed gingersnaps (about 12 to 14) • 3/4 cup chopped pecans • 1 recipe Graham Cracker Crust* (see recipe below) • Crushed gingersnaps (optional) • Whipped cream (optional)

Ingredients • 1 4-serving-size package cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix • 1 1/2 cups half-and-half, light cream, or milk • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin • 1 cup whipped cream

Directions 1. In a medium saucepan, cook pudding mix according to package directions, except substitute the 1-1/2 cups halfand-half for the 2 cups liquid and stir in pumpkin pie spice before cooking.

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

2. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in the pumpkin. Cover surface with plastic wrap. Let stand for 1-1/2 hours or until nearly at room temperature. Stir mixture gently. Fold in the 1 cup whipped cream and the 1 cup coarsely crushed gingersnaps.

3. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the pecans on the bottom of Graham Cracker Crust. Transfer pumpkin mixture to piecrust. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours or until firm. Before serving, sprinkle with remaining pecans. Garnish with additional crushed gingersnaps and whipped cream, if you like. Store in refrigerator. Makes 8 servings. note * If you wish to start with a purchased graham cracker crust, buy 1 deep-dish crust or 2 of the shallow crusts.

Graham Cracker Crust

Ingredients • 1/3 cup butter • 1/4 cup sugar • 1 1/4 cups crushed graham crackers (about 18 crackers) Directions Melt butter. Stir in sugar. Add graham cracker crumbs.

Toss to mix well. Spread mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie plate. Press onto bottom and side to form a firm, even crust. Chill in the refrigerator about 1 hour or until firm.

Triple Pear Pie with Walnut Crust

You can’t mistake the fruit in this cardamom-spiced beauty.

Pear nectar and dried pears complement thick slices of fresh, juicy Bosc pears.

Ingredients • 1/3 cup walnuts, toasted • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut up • 1/4 cup shortening, chilled and cut up • 1/3-1/2 cup ice water • 2/3 cup pear nectar or apple juice • 3/4 cup chopped dried pears or golden raisins • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 8 ripe bosc pears • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 2 teaspoons water • Coarse white decorating sugar Directions 1. In a food processor, combine the walnuts, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and the salt, pulsing with several on/off turns until walnuts are finely ground. Add 2 1/2 cups flour and pulse until combined. Add cold butter and shortening and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle the cold water, about a tablespoon at a time, through feed tube while pulsing until mixture just begins to come together (do not over process). Mixture should still be slightly crumbly, but come together with your hands when gently squeezed. Gather dough into a ball, divide it in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap disks in plastic wrap and chill while preparing pie filling.

2. In a small saucepan, bring pear nectar to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add dried pears, cardamom, and nutmeg; remove from heat and set aside.

3. In a large bowl combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and 3 tablespoons flour. Peel, core, and slice pears 1/2-inch thick; add to sugar mixture in bowl. Toss pears to coat with sugar mixture. Add undrained dried pear mixture and toss to combine.

4. On a lightly floured surface roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Ease pastry into a 9-inch pie plate, allowing pastry to extend over edge. In a small bowl combine egg and 2 teaspoons water. Lightly brush pastry with some of the egg mixture. Spoon pear mixture evenly into pastry-lined pie plate. Trim pastry to edge of pie plate.

5. Roll out remaining pastry on the floured surface to an 11-inch circle. Cut slits in top pastry and place over filling.

Fold top pastry under bottom pastry and crimp edges to seal.

Brush with egg mixture and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

6. Loosely cover pie with foil to prevent overbrowning.

Bake in a 375 degrees F oven for 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes more or until pastry is golden, pears are tender, and filling is bubbly (if necessary, cover with foil the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning.) Cool on a wire rack.

Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

37

TRAVEL

Palm Springs: On Par with the Legends

By Beth D’Addono

N

othing teed Ronnie Reagan off like playing golf in the desert.

Ronnie regularly hit the links at the Annenberg’s Sunnylands Estate in Rancho Mirage, one of nine desert towns that make up the Greater Palm Springs region. Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and the senior Bush also took their swings, along with architects of the game like Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, and Tom Watson.

A golfer’s dream, this desert paradise offers 115-plus courses with something for players of every skill level. Add in nonstop sunshine, low humidity, and dramatic scenery, and no wonder the Palm Springs region was voted ‘2016’s Top North American Golf Destination’ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

A different kind of fun and games is what first put Palm Springs on the map. Back in the studio days, Palm Springs became the playground for old Hollywood’s rich and famous, when strict contracts dictated the moral high ground within LA’s confines. But two hours away, now that was another matter altogether. The Rat Pack generation also came to play - hence the streets named for vintage crooners like Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore. Young Hollywood has taken notice too – it’s here that Brangelina came out as a couple. And Kate Hudson is a regular visitor to the home her mom, Goldie Hawn, shares with Kurt Russell.

Add in a lively dining scene and a wide spectrum of boutique and resort hotels, many with mid-century modern design elements, and there’s plenty to keep golfers and non

players occupied for days.

But if golf is your game, the question is always, where’s the best course in town? Read on… with more than 2,000 holes from which to choose, the playing field is anything but level.

1. Classic Club, Palm Desert Number 12 is Arnold Palmer’s favorite, a daunting tee shot that is all carry over a body of water, with a creek and a waterfall to the right. There are great views of Big Bear and of the Chocolate Mountains.

2. Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage Gary Player Course According to Westin Mission Hills head golf pro Jeff Beier, 11 is a par 5 with water along the right side of the hole, which makes it “classic risk-reward coming from Mr. South Africa!”

3. La Quinta - TPC Stadium/PGA West Designer Pete Dye sculpted spectator seating areas into the natural terrain, hence the name. One historic moment here was Lee Trevino’s hole-in-one on #17—nicknamed the notorious Alcatraz Island hole—which netted him a Skin worth $175,000 in the 1987 “Skins Game,” which PGA West hosted from 1986 to 1991.

4. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert Palm Course The 17th hole is an island green par 3 that plays from 115 yards to 160 yards, an all-or-nothing shot, thanks to three strategically placed bunkers that make the target just a little more tough to get to.

5. Escena Golf Club, Palm Springs The inward nine here starts with a challenging par 4 at hole #10, an example of Nicklaus Design golf at its best. If you can cut the corner of this dogleg right hole, you’ll have a short club into the green. But no matter which club you use, stunning mountain views are very distracting.

6. Indian Wells Golf Resort – Players Course At well over 600 yards, number nine is one of the longest par fives in Southern California. The tee shot must be

played over a barranca and left of a fairway bunker to gain the best angle. The ideal second shot must find a relatively narrow sliver of grass sandwiched between a lake on the left and bunker on the right.

7. Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort, Palm Springs – Resort Course Nicknamed “Terminator,” number 8 is a par 3 that’s this course’s signature hole. It’s all carry over water to a small protected green, which calls on some serious shooting.

8. Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage At this Ted Robinson-designed 27-hole golf course, more than 1,500 palm trees line the fairways and circle six lakes at the base of snow-capped Mount San Jacinto. The view from the 5th hole of the West course is spectacular.

9. SilverRock Resort, La Quinta – Pete Dye Mountain Course Hole 7 measures 603 yards from the tips with water in play from tee to green. With the Santa Rosa Mountains setting the backdrop, players must avoid the lake to the right side of the fairway and a large fairway bunker to the left of the fairway. After a good drive, players must decide whether to shoot over the water or leave themselves with a long third shot over water to a small green that is well guarded by water and bunkers.

10. Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course The 18th hole on the Firecliff course is a picturesque yet difficult par 5 that measures 385 yards from the forward tees up to 535 yards from the back tees. The fairway is lined with palm trees and a creek running down the left side with desert terrain on the right. The creek on the left meanders across the fairway and pools into a lake that guards the right side all the way to the green.

For more information about visiting and golfing in Palm Springs, visit www.palmspringsoasis.com.

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

Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

39

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nutrition

What Should I Pack in My Kid’s Lunchbox?

By JoannaChodorowska

T

his is a question I get from clients all the time! “How do I pack healthier lunches for my children?” When I was growing up, we lived five houses from school and I came home for lunch most days. Mom always made us something wholesome: salad or a green vegetable, sometimes half a sandwich with leftovers from dinner or a tuna salad with celery and kidney beans.

There was usually a fruit for dessert, sometimes a cookie. And yes, in case you are wondering, my friends wondered back then what I was eating – what, no chips? No Ho Ho’s? Mom had it right back then, and you can too.

So what can you do? Make dinners at home, and help your children make their own lunches. Some fun vegetables you can pack for snacks are regular carrots, sugar snap peas, corn on the cob, or cut up red or orange peppers. If you pack a sandwich, choose lean meats and non-processed lunch meats. Make your own turkey breast and slice it up for sandwiches.

It is a lot more economical, even if you buy organic turkey breast vs. counter-bought items full of nitrates and sodium. Yuk! But you have to make sure you add at least two to three large leaves of a green lettuce (Bibb, red leaf, romaine, green leaf, all good choices). Choose a multi-grain bread, or even gluten-free multi-grain bread. (Udi’s brand makes great choices.) If you choose to use mayonnaise, use the real stuff, not the non-fat, chemical full version. If you use butter, try to use a grass-fed dairy butter – again, use real butter, not the manufactured kind. Then pack a fruit. Make it a different fruit every day of the week. Variety makes it fun. My mom used to cut the hamburgers from dinner in half (smaller discs) for our sandwiches and used rye bread over wheat. This is how we always ate, so it was not a surprise for us at lunch time. Sometimes we had soup – remember those Thermos containers just for soup? Why not make your own and pack it for your kids? At least you will know what the ingredients are and know it was also made with love, not 1700 mg of sodium per ½ cup serving.

The next step to making healthy choices is to start reading the labels on the products you buy. You will want to avoid these ingredients: high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated

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fat, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners (including Splenda, sucralose, aspartame, and Nutrasweet), preservatives (sodium nitrate and nitrate, sodium erythorbate, diisocyanate, etc.) and any ingredient that basically is not a real food. So replace Doritos with Garden Of Eatin’ brand chips. Replace Gatorade with plain water and lemon wedges. Choose natural peanut butter (or almond or cashew butter) instead of Jiff or Skippy. These small changes can make a big difference in nutrition as well in your children’s behavior. Just because it is convenient does not always mean it is healthy. Choose wisely, but start making those healthier choices at home, so you can plan your lunch meals better, too.

Joanna K Chodorowska, BA, NC, is a nutritionist, swim instructor, triathlete coach and competitive triathlete. She is the founder of Nutrition in Motion specializing in personalized nutrition programs for health minded individuals. To get started on a lifelong healthy plan, visit www.n-im.net for more information.

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profile

The ABCs of Virtual School Success

M

ore and more kindergarten through grade 12 students nationwide are going to school without getting on a bus, entering a classroom, or even leaving their homes. Cyber charter schools, such as Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Connections Academy, where students attend public school from home, are one of the fastest growing education trends in the United States— drawing families who are looking for a high-quality alternative to the traditional classroom. Last year, Commonwealth Connections Academy served more than 8,300 students across Pennsylvania; 500 of these students were from the 44

Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

tri-county area. Because it is a public cyber school, there is no tuition, and all books and supplies are provided, without fees, by the school.

Reasons for choosing virtual school are as diverse as the students themselves. Many families find the increased personalization and flexibility of online schools enable their students to succeed academically, since they can work at a pace that is more in line with their preferred learning style.

Students who are behind can catch-up; students who are gifted or who want more challenge can progress through the curriculum more quickly. Other students attend because of

medical needs or because of the wide range of course offerings the school provides, such as foreign languages, AP courses, and electives. Competitive athletes, aspiring actors, and other performers find that virtual school meets their specific training needs in terms of time and location of studies.

While thousands of Pennsylvania students thrive at Commonwealth Connections Academy every year, it is important to remember that this form of public education isn’t for every student, or every family. Families interested in fulltime online education should consider the following “ABCs” of successful virtual schooling to determine if this form of education is a good fit:

Availability and attitude of the parent and student Virtual schools are not unsupervised, self-study programs.

While online schools provide a flexible learning environment, parent involvement and responsibility are critical to successful participation. Students should also have the right mindset: being self-motivated, open to learning in a nontraditional setting, and having a comfort level with technology all contribute to success.

At most full-time virtual schools, a parent or trusted adult monitors student progress in the home throughout the day and works with Pennsylvania certified teachers who direct instruction. This requires a parent’s time and desire to be directly involved in their child’s education.

Beyond the traditional classroom While online schools allow students the freedom and flexibility to learn almost anytime, anywhere, it is important to designate a learning space at home. The area should be organized, with room to store books and school supplies, and located in a relatively distraction-free zone.

In addition to providing students with a space to complete their work, it is also important to provide opportunities to socialize with classmates.

Commonwealth Connections Academy offers multiple field trips per month, which allow students the opportunity to learn in a new setting while spending time with their peers. The school also offers a one-of-a-kind mobile classroom, which enables teachers to conduct a variety of classroom activities anywhere in the state. Mobile classroom activities range from book fairs to making cards for soldiers to bottle rocket demonstrations. The mobile classroom is

also used for community service events in counties across Pennsylvania, such as the Great American Clean Up. Additionally, students can socialize through extracurricular activities such as the robotics club and environmental club. Commonwealth Connections Academy students have thrived in these extracurricular activities; for the past two years a team of students has competed and won first place at the Pennsylvania Real World Design Challenge—an engineering competition that tests its competitors’ logic, creativity, and reason. This year’s team then went on to place second at the National competition. Students are also able to participate in sports and extracurricular activities provided by their traditional brick and mortar public school.

Challenging, computer-enhanced curriculum Students attending virtual schools should be prepared for a challenging, comprehensive curriculum. Students master the core subjects—reading/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies—and can also take elective courses.

At virtual school, the computer is a tool for learning—which today’s tech-savvy students usually love. Students also use offline resources like textbooks, science kits and more. Although training and technical support are provided, parents should have a comfort level with computers too, since online learning management systems are typically used to manage daily lessons and communicate with teachers.

If Commonwealth Connections Academy seems like a good fit for your family, consider attending a local information session where you can meet teachers and staff and learn more about the school. Visit www.CommonwealthConnectionsAcademy.com/LocalLiving or call 888-818-4108 to learn more. Enrollment is now open for the 2012-2013 school year.

Dr. Maurice Flurie is the CEO of Commonwealth Connections Academy, a leading cyber school serving students in grades K-12 from across Pennsylvania. He has been a school administrator for over 20 years and also serves as an instructor for Wilkes University, teaching graduate courses in Educational Law, Educational Psychology, and more.

Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

45

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

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fashionista

Closet Treasures

R

ecycling, Repurposing and Reusing are all popular terms in the world today. For the creative type, fashionable and thrifty ways to reuse that favorite item from last season for the current one is easy. Those of us who need a little more direction, having a starting point is always helpful. Here are three items that I am sure every fashionable woman owns: a jacket, a scarf and a pin.

We all have a jacket that we love and cannot bear to get rid of. A jacket can be easily tailored to make the waist smaller.

Small adjustments to the beloved style, like tapering the shoulder, can easily and economically, bring it up to date. A tailor is less expensive than purchasing a new jacket, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Remember small adjustments, not redesigning, is the economical way to go.

Second item up for recycling is scarves, because they are so versatile. You may or may not wear them around your neck, but you can also tie it on a bag for fall, or around the waist

of your new tailored jacket. Larger ones can be tied into wrap dresses, all easier than you think for a fun new twist.

Scarves can give a pop of color to a chain belt by threading it through.

For a fun new accessory and updated look instantly, update a scarf with a pin that you have not worn in a while. Pins come and go in fashion! Wrap a smaller scarf around your neck, tie in the front, and attach a complementary colored pin.

Crystal is awesome since it allows the color to pop through.

Pins can also be added to shorten a longer necklace, making a choker and giving a new look. Simply pin over the closure currently on the item and voila! If you put it all together, your new fitted jacket and pin and scarf accessory with a pair of skinny dark jeans and you have a brand new look for fall that is definitely on trend!

Anonymous, Self Proclaimed, Shopaholic Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

49

Stop Living with Knee, Hip and Joint Pain

Innovative Techniques, Personalized Care Algier says Dr. Pavlides “is not one to jump into surgery” as the only option. He first advises weight loss, exercise and other nonsurgical options to alleviate knee pain. Her praise for Dr. Pavlides includes not only her hospital care and comprehensive therapy, but also her scar.

“I’m proud of my scar,” she says. “At therapy other patients noticed it and other doctors have asked about it.”

Dr. Pavlides uses minimally invasive surgical techniques and closes the incision from the inside out. It’s a cosmetic approach, he explains.

“I don’t use staples or close from the outside, so you don’t get that railroad track effect,” he says. “It takes more time, but I feel patients don’t need a big scar that’s a constant reminder of the surgery.”

From her sisters’ experience, Algier also knew she would receive an extraordinary level of personal attention from Dr. Pavlides.

“He spent time with me every day in the hospital and made sure I had everything I needed,” she says. “I’ve never had a better experience.”

‘‘

The physician you see in the office is the one who performs your surgery and is also The physician you the one you see after see in the office is the surgery. It’s very one who performs your —Nikos Pavlides, personalized care. surgery and is also MD

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surgeon the oneOrthopedic you see after Independent Member surgery. It’sofvery the Medical Staff personalized care.

– Nikos Pavlides, MD Orthopedic surgeon

“

C

arole Algier and her two sisters work together, baking and selling specialty cakes.

Their days, she says, are just filled with joy.

Their business, Full Spirited FlavoursTM, is a second career for each of them and something the closeknit trio believes was destined to be.

But that’s not all these women do together.

In the past two years, all three have had double knee replacements, Carole this past June. All had surgery at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, by the same orthopedic surgeon, Nikos Pavlides, MD, of Brandywine Institute of Orthopaedics. And they all stayed in the same room at PMMC’s Center for Orthopedics and Spine.

“Dr. Pavlides is so tuned in to you as a patient, and his team at Pottstown is the same way,” says Algier, a Glenmoore resident. “Everyone is on the same page. You feel safe and secure in their hands and so well cared for.” Sister Sue was the first to have surgery, two years ago. Algier calls her “the scout” who researched and found the best doctor for “mature” knees pained by arthritis. Kathy had surgery a year ago.

“We were there for one another through the surgeries, and that support was great,” Algier says. “But also, Dr. Pavlides has such a complete program at Pottstown. There’s no way you can’t recoup!”

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Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

St. Luke’s has been named one of Truven Health Analytics™ 100 Top Hospitals in the Nation and one of the 15 Top Major Teaching Hospitals for the second year in a row.

St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital was named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the Nation for the first time this year!

No other hospital in the region has ever been recognized by Truven.

To learn more visit:

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profile ST. LUKE’S QUAKERTOWN HOSPITAL

Dr. Kaveh Kousari

Dr.

Kaveh Kousari, MD, of St. Luke’s Center for Urology, has recently expanded his office hours to meet the demands of Quakertown area urological care patients. Dr. Kousari is now able to accommodate urology patients for office visits and procedures in Quakertown on Monday and Tuesday every week and every other Friday.

St. Luke’s identified a need for quality urology healthcare for Quakertown area patients. By increasing its hours, St. Luke’s can provide more patients with the latest treatment options that were not previously available to them. “Not only do our expanded hours allow patients to schedule appointments with greater ease,” says Dr. Kousari. “But our increased presence in St. Luke’s Quakertown hospital also

54

Local Living Volume 6 | Issue 4

permits a much smoother transition between inpatient and outpatient care plans.”

“Bringing St. Luke’s standard of care to the Quakertown area means that patients will find urology care unlike any other,” says Dr. Thomas Filipowicz, vice president, medical affairs, St. Luke’s Quakertown. “By offering the latest treatment options in a caring and knowledgeable environment, patients will find that choosing St. Luke’s is the best decision for their overall health.”

Dr. Kousari and his staff diagnose and treat men and women with urinary tract issues, like kidney, prostate and bladder disorders, as well as male reproductive complications. They see patients who experience a wide variety of urological

[ [ Utilizing noninvasive techniques

aggressively treats patients, while

allowing them to recover and heal faster and get back to their lives. Dr. Kousari is one of St. Luke’s highly skilled surgeons who utilize non-surgical, minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic

techniques, depending on the patient’s individual assessment.

symptoms, including urinary leaking or burning, abdominal and side pain, and erectile dysfunction and bleeding.

They also treat patients affected by cancer of the kidney, bladder and prostate. For many of his patients with the aforementioned conditions, Dr. Kousari is able to utilize robotic services, like the DaVinci Surgical System®, a new, minimally invasive surgical technology that allows surgeons to treat patients with small incisions, resulting in a quicker recovery time. Minimally invasive surgeries using robotic techniques are on the rise because of the dramatic increase in favorable patient outcomes.

procedure, provides gentle electrical stimulation in order to reestablish communication between the brain and the bladder in patients suffering from overactive bladders and stool incontinence. Nerve stimulation as a treatment option for incontinence is becoming more and more common, especially as medications to treat these problems can often fail or result in adverse side effects. The St. Luke’s urology team also offers Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulator (PTNS) therapy which is a low-risk, in-office procedure that stimulates the tibial nerve using a very fine needle that sends signals to the sacral nerve which is integral to proper bladder and pelvic floor function.

Dr. Kousari is a board certified urologist; he completed a degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester and worked as an engineer for Nike prior to pursuing a career in medicine. He then attended medical school and completed his urological residency at Washington University in St. Louis.

“We’re fortunate to be able to offer the services of Dr. Kousari and his staff to area patients suffering from urological issues,” says Dr. Filipowicz. “The expanded hours will enable us to continue offering the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options for our patients.”

“Utilizing noninvasive techniques aggressively treats patients, while allowing them to recover and heal faster and get back to their lives,” explains Dr. Kousari. Dr. Kousari is one of St. Luke’s highly skilled surgeons who utilize non-surgical, minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques, depending on the patient’s individual assessment. The ability to offer this kind of innovative technology has resulted in a number of new patients for Dr. Kousari’s practice and for St. Luke’s Quakertown. “Providing patients the option to have robotic surgery minimizes incisions and blood loss and restores urinary continence much quicker than with open procedures,” says Dr. Kousari. “It also serves to significantly decrease postoperative recovery time.”

One of the more prevalent conditions that Dr. Kousari and his staff encounter is overactive bladder syndrome in both men and women. Dr. Kousari is treating the condition with state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, like InterStim®.

InterStim, a device used as an outpatient hospital

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Volume 6 | Issue 4 Local Living

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T

By Diane

Burns

ake a drive around your community on any sunny weekend and you are bound to see signs

for a yard sale or garage sale. The old adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” has put many of us in the declutter frame of mind. We’ve looked through our homes and have found we either have too much stuff or we’d like to have a few new decorative pieces to brighten up a room or two. The question is how to solve this decorating problem without it being a costly proposition.

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cast for the day of your sale so that you are prepared for any possible natural contingencies that might occur.

When you are ready to display your saleable goods display them to their best advantage. Hang clothing on a clothes line or rack. Imagine you are the customer. Would the display attract your attention?

What does your display reflect? Strewn items on a front lawn are not appealing to potential buyers. Another important issue to address is making sure that everyone helping with the sale is on the same page as far as the ground rules are concerned. Remember – the purpose of the sale is to sell your unwanted items.

One of the aspects of yard sale selling is haggling; it is part of the fun, so be prepared. And finally, always have enough change on hand. A sale can be lost if you don’t.

Suppose you’re not inclined to have a sale of your own to make extra money. Go hunting for treasures in someone else’s yard or garage. If you happen to have a creative eye and can see the potential in a discarded piece, you may find a diamond in the rough. Once

Impact Thrift is

organization wh

One solution would be to have a yard sale of your own to earn some extra cash. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But if extra cash is your goal you have to take a little time to formulate a plan of action. The best time to have a sale is at the beginning of the month. Decide right from the start the purpose of your sale: to simplify your living space and while in the process of doing so, perhaps earn some extra money. This decision affects all aspects of your sale.

With the help of your family and friends, gather items for sale from around the house and spend a little time deciding a fair sale price for each item. Be realistic when pricing; over price an item and you’ll probably be stuck with it.

When your pricing is accomplished your next job is to advertise well in advance of your sale in newspapers and on clearly readable signs posted around the neighborhood; advertise on-line. Check the weather fore-

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positively imp

through its th

ose mission is

act local comm

rift store oper

Impact Thrift en

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a non-profit to

unities

ations.

joys a strong im

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through tial financial su pport of 16 locally-b ased charities, but as a provider of low cost shop ping opportunities. their substan

Two cousins cleaning out their grandfather’s attic found a dusty box filled you have used your magic to restore or refurbish an item, this transformation can help to decorate your own home or be sold, thus earning you extra cash in the end too!

Before you head out to a sale make sure you are prepared. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. Carry a canvas bag or two to hold any of your purchases and have some small bills handy for easy buys.

Keep in mind that it is often a good idea to travel a little bit away from your own neighborhood, perhaps to a community that may have higher value “junk”. Items for sale in these areas may be of a higher quality but keep in mind the prices will be higher too. This is where haggling over price comes into play. Don’t be afraid to start low, you can always offer more if necessary. Have fun with it.

One of the things to avoid buying, no matter how clean it looks, is anything that has been slept in or on such as mattresses, sleeping bags, sheets and pillows. Bed bugs love to hide in these places and no one wants an exterminator’s bill.

Not into setting up shop? You can also find extra cash by donating things that are of no further use to you. There are organizations that will restore donated items and sell them to help others. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity restore goods to sell or to use in the homes they are building. Goodwill Industries sell used items in their stores at lower prices helping those with lower incomes. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children transforms old donated greeting cards into new ones for sale thereby earning extra money for college. Box tops from General Mills products and labels from Campbell products can be collected and traded in for school supplies and equipment. Donate your old car to Purple Heart for restoration. When the car is sold the money is used to provide food and clothing to the over 200,000 homeless veterans in America. All of the donations to any of these organizations are a tax deduction. LL Diane Burns is a writer currently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

with old baseball cards. They soon found that 70 of the 700 cards alone were worth over $500,000.

A man purchased a painting at a garage sale because he liked the frame. When he removed the painting he was surprised to find a copy of the Constitution. It turned out to be one of the original signed copies.

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CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR PERSONAL TOUR.

local spotlight “If Not Me, Then Who?” — The Travis Manion Story

By Diane Burns

O

ne’s character is determined by the responses he makes in times of difficulties, crisis or danger.

This is the story of one heroic individual who was put to the test.

Travis Joseph Manion was born on November 19, 1980 at Camp Lejeune Marine Base in NC where his father was stationed. After being stationed around the country for years, the family settled down in Doylestown, PA. Travis went to LaSalle College High School where his leadership qualities were strong in both academics and athletics. He was on the wrestling squad as well as the football and lacrosse teams.

He was a member on five championship teams and was named an All-American wrestler six times and was awarded the Hal Selvey, Jr. Memorial Award for Unselfish Dedication and Leadership. Excellence in leadership, academics and athleticism gained Travis an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. He was in school at the Academy when he heard of the horrific events that occurred on 9/11.Travis was aware that day of the grave decisions he and his fellow classmates made when they chose to serve their country. Upon graduation he entered the Marine Corps, following in his father’s footsteps, while his best friend and roommate Brendan Looney went on to become a Navy Seal. Travis finished at the top of his basic training class at Quantico, VA. His first deployment was to be to Iraq and this meant his training would be in the Mojave Desert with temperatures in excess of 120 degrees. His second deployment sent him back to Iraq where he was part of a Military Transition team attached to an Iraqi Army Battalion in Fallujah. On one of his visits home between deployments Travis and his brother-in-law Dave had attended an Eagles game when Dave jokingly said to Travis, “If I trip you and you break a leg, you won’t have to go back.” Travis replied what was to become his mantra: “If not me, then who?” This was the character of the man who believed in sacrifice, brotherhood and love of country.

On April 27, 2007 Travis was killed by a sniper’s bullet 64

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while he was rescuing his fallen comrades. He had successfully rescued two and had gone back for a third when he was shot. As a testament to his strong leadership and character, the Iraqis’ named a base after him calling it Combat Outpost Manion.

Following his death his body was flown to Willow Grove and for the first time in history the state closed down the turnpike to accommodate the hundreds of cars and the thousands of mourners.

On December 5, 2007 a ceremony was held in Doylestown where Travis was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Valor. The Travis Manion Foundation was founded by his mother, Janet and a family friend as a tribute to this fallen hero. The mission of the Foundation is to aid military families and wounded veterans. The foundation also provides scholarships in Travis’ memory to students who exemplify the character traits of leadership, ingenuity and community service. They must also submit an essay on “If not me, then who?”

On May 30, 2011 at a Memorial Day ceremony President Obama paid tribute to Travis and his former roommate and best friend, Brendan Looney, who had recently died in combat. Today Travis and Brendan lay side by side at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sadly, Janet Manion, the dedicated driving force behind the Foundation and a staunch advocate of military personnel and veterans died on April 24, 2012. Though Janet will be greatly missed her work on behalf of military families and wounded veterans will continue.

For further information about Travis or the Foundation’s coming events go on the web to www.Travismanionfoundation.com.

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Local

M a rble Ho

u se

goes local

The Breakers

Newport, Rhode Island “The Guilded Age”

By Diane Burns

A

t the turn of the century 18651914, many American business leaders amassed huge fortunes.

These elite, wealthy members of society would spend their summer vacations in Newport, RI. Families like the Vanderbilts, Astors and Morgans built huge, opulent mansions they referred to as their “summer cottage”. These “cottages” were a vision of grandness that few of us could ever imagine. During the day the families would swim, compete in yacht races, play tennis or just relax on Bailey’s Beach. Evenings were spent hosting or attending some grand soiree.

The grandest of these mansions called “the Crown Jewel” is The Breakers built by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1893. It sits on 13 acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The estate houses 70 rooms many including “The Gold Room” were built in Europe disassembled and transferred to Newport where they were reconstructed.

In 1892 William Vanderbilt had “Marble House” built for his wife Al-

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va’s 39th birthday. It cost over $11 million and contains an estimated 500,000 cubic feet of marble. This magnificent structure has an authentic Chinese Tea House on the massive green lawn behind the house.

“The Elms” was built in 1901 by Edward Julius Berwind of Philadelphia. It is a replica of a French chateau called Chateau d’Asmieres and features beautiful terraces and sunken gardens. Its expansive rear lawn has gorgeous a view of the ocean and shoreline.

“Rough Point” was the home of tobacco heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke a prominent benefactor of Duke University. She was slightly eccentric and kept two camels on her lawn behind the house. The mansion is a museum now and contains Duke’s enormous art collection.

Finally, the last of the main mansions along Ocean Drive, “Rose Cliff ” built by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrich in 1902. If you visit or see a picture of this mansion you may recognize it from some of the movies it

was featured in like the Great Gatsby and True Lies and Amistad. The lawn of the property overlooks The Cliff Walk and the Atlantic Ocean.

For a look at the wonders of nature take a stroll along The Cliff Walk with the beauty of the mansions on one side and the breathtaking Newport ocean shoreline. Maybe you’d be interested in seeing how glass is blown and learn how to make an ornament or vase.

There are lighthouses you can visit and if tennis is your game, visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum. A wonderful place to find interesting shops and great restaurants is Bannister’s Wharf.

As you can see a trip to Newport has something for everyone and it will be a trip you won’t soon forget. For more information with regards to a great restaurant or place to stay visit the internet at: www.gonewport.com.

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

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