Jay Spaziano Real Estate & Lifestyle Fall 2022

Jay

A Time to Gather

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Jay Spaziano Real Estate & Lifestyle Magazine

Dear Readers,

I hope you and your family are doing well and looking forward to some quality time as we approach the upcoming holiday season. Jay and I are huge history buffs and wanted to pay homage to the Washington Crossing Historic Park and its continual effort to keep the history of our country alive and available to anyone who wants to come and experience it.

The thought often occurs to me as I’m waiting on the narrow Washington Crossing Bridge how breathtakingly beautiful the landscape is and how it was this same spot, in a much different time, in which one event shaped the evolution of our country. The soldiers were so inspired that they tirelessly walked miles barefoot in freezing temperatures in a desperate attempt to save their heritage. There was no bridge and the frigid Delaware River needed to be crossed in the dead of winter. Imagine being so inspired? Leaving your family behind with so much uncertainty as to the outcome, yet fueled by pure passion and grit. Survival was difficult on a typical day during colonial times and then introducing the hardships of war, even harder. Faith, unity in a common goal and an inspiring leader provided much needed light and demonstrated that failure was not an option. I’m grateful that so many sac rifices have been made by brave individuals who wouldn’t quit. We need brave people willing to do difficult things for the greater good.

Speaking of these types of people, I want to acknowledge all of the amazing teachers out there who are helping shape future generations. Thank you for your passion and dedication – it does not go unnoticed. I’m sure we can all recall at least one teacher, coach, or mentor in our lives that made a positive difference. In my previous life I taught for exactly one school year. It was rewarding and exhausting. I walked away from that experience with so much gratitude for EVERY teacher I have ever had. It is so not easy in so many ways. If you don’t believe me, try it. If you do believe me, please take a moment to send an email or write a note and say thank you to a teacher. I would like to thank Bola Adeaga, Luba Reese, Jane Miller, Terry Burns, Jerry Russo, Bill Hawkey, Rick Ritter and Chris Russell. You have each left a lasting imprint on my life.

Jay Spaziano

Real Estate

Gina Spaziano

Dinner

is Served

AS THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH, you may find yourself planning a larger event than the last few years. After all, celebrating with friends and family is what makes this one of the most special times of the year. As with any entertaining, there’s a fair amount of planning, preparation, and clean-up. While most of us would love to have an extra hand or two, a little extra space certainly helps. Now, many new homes are built with a modern-day butler’s pantry located between the dining room and kitchen. A typical butler’s pantry will usually include a small sink, cabinetry and some counterspace. Some homeowners take their pantries a step further and will also include a second dishwasher and other appliances such as a refrigerator and wine refrigerator.

We truly appreciate the beauty and ingenuity in which some of our sellers used their butler’s pantries. This is what inspired us to showcase some of their spaces and do some research. Did you ever wonder why it’s called a butler’s pantry? We did, and so we found out that it’s also known as a serving pantry, which was a separate room in large homes used for the storage and cleaning of silver. In Europe, the but ler’s job was to keep the silver under lock and key to guard against thieves, so he used to sleep in that room,

and that’s why the room got the name butler’s pantry! Regardless of your kitchen size, you most likely have a pantry where you keep the foods and supplies most often used. This might be as small as a shelf or two in a cabinet, or as large as a walk-in closet. The history of the pantry, or kitchen storage, is an inter esting look back of what was going on at the time economically, socially, and architecturally. The word “pantry” comes from the Old French word “paneterie,” a storeroom for bread. In medieval times, food and supplies were stored in specific rooms: a larder for meats, a buttery for alcohol and a pantry for bread. For the most part, smaller homes constructed in prewar America did not have built-in kitchen cabinets, let alone a pantry. So, in the early 1900’s the Hoosier Cabinet, made by the Hoosier Manufacturing Com pany in Indiana, was created to be an all-in-one pan try and kitchen for the new American home. Most Hoosier Cabinets were on wheels and stood about six

412 Brownsburg Road

Makefield

feet high, four feet wide and about two feet deep, making it a perfect size for small kitchens.

These days, kitchens have built-in cabinetry and most of today’s homeowners don’t have butlers to keep track of family’s silver and serving ware, so the butler’s pantry serves more as a staging and storage area rather than a vault. It’s a great space to leave extra serving dishes that don’t fit on a table, allowing them to be easily accessed for second help ings without guests going back into the kitchen. It also provides a place to keep extra water, wine or other beverages during meals. Depending on size and location, your butler's pantry can easily double as a bar for dinner parties or holi day events.

Many homeowners use it to keep small appliances such as juicers, blenders and coffee machines plugged in and ready

to use at any time without having to clutter existing kitchen counters. We’ve seen some creative uses of butler’s pantries too, such as a dedicated coffee bar. Or, one that had space for a small refrigerator that became the dedicated beverage zone. In one home, a kitchen remodel allowed for the existing food pantry to be converted to a butler’s pantry. And remember, bigger is not always better! Sometimes a smaller, functional pantry that still features a lot of storage is all you need. And if you don’t have enough space for a full, walk-in room butler’s pantry, you can often convert a closet or small bit of wall space to create a charming, functional built-in that can be used as a butler’s pantry.

No matter how you use it, a butler’s pantry offers a practi cal space for serving, storage and display, and it adds character and charm to your home.

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11 Davis Drive Washington Crossing

102 Autumn Trace Drive New Hope

1971 Buckingham Drive

Jamison

No Fuss Focaccia

Due to an overwhelming response to my previous recipe, here’s another easy favorite that pairs well with my gnocchi recipe that appeared in the March/April 2021 issue.

I have always loved the smell of freshly baked bread. There is just something about walking into a house filled with that smell that immediately makes you feel at home. So, for this holiday season, I’m sharing my super easy recipe for Focaccia Bread. I like preparing this bread the night before I need it, letting it rise in the refrigerator overnight so all that needs to be done the next day is place it in the oven.

Marissa Stauff, our intern here at Jay Spaziano Real Estate, is currently a freshman at Rider University majoring in Actuarial Science.

Ingredients

● 2 Cups of All-Purpose Flour

● 2 Cups of Type 00 Flour (Or Extra Fine Flour)

● 2 Teaspoons of Kosher Salt

● 1 Packet of Instant Yeast (or 2 ¼ Teaspoons)

● 2 Cups of Warm Water

● Olive Oil

● Butter

● Seasoning Blend of Sea Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, and Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

● Halved Cherry Tomatoes

● Fresh Rosemary (for garnish)

Preparing the Dough

● In a large bowl, sift the all-purpose flour and Type 00 flour together.

● Add the salt and instant yeast.

● Thoroughly stir all the dry ingredients.

● Add the warm water and using a wooden spoon, mix the contents of the bowl until all the ingredients are incorporated.

● Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit out for 2-4 hours in a warm space. Or refrigerate for 8 or up to 24 hours. The dough should double (or even triple!) in size. The longer the dough sits, the better flavor it will have.

Baking

● Preheat the oven to 450°F with the rack in the center.

● Grease two 9-inch cake tins with butter and line them with parchment paper for easy removal.

● Split the dough in half using a dough cutter or a sharp knife and fit each half in the tins. (Tip: lightly oil your fingers with olive oil to lessen the stickiness!)

● Lightly coat the tops of the dough with olive oil and the seasoning blend.

● Press your fingers into the top of the dough until you reach the bottom of the tin to create ‘dimples’ across the whole surface.

● Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes on top and garnish with fresh rosemary.

● Place the tins into the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 425°F.

● Bake for 23-27 minutes or until the tops and sides are golden brown.

● Remove the tins from the oven.

● Take the bread out of the tins and place on a cooling rack.

● Serve while warm or store in a zippered bag after it has cooled completely.

Enjoy!

Want to take your focaccia bread to the next level? Create a tasty masterpiece on top, using a wide array of vegeta bles and seasoning. I recommend using mini bell peppers, chives, capers, and fresh parsley. It’s also popular to add fresh mozzarella and even Italian sausage to the bread.

The possibilities are endless!

Did you know? Dating back to almost 1300 AD, focaccia bread has become a staple Italian food, with each region offering its own unique toppings and flavors. ●

Welcome to

River Road

The privacy that abounds on this lovely, nearly 2-acre enclave gives the feel of being on an island yet only steps away from the vibrant downtown, lifestyles of New Hope and Lambertville, tucked away and hidden from view along New Hope's North Main Street.

Feel whisked away upon entering the long, gated drive, take in the breathtaking beauty of the gorgeous specimen plantings and admire the storybook outbuildings that are cleverly positioned to provide convenient accessibility to one another while preserving the private, village feel. The main house, circa 1800's, has all the character and charm of an antique home, yet has been completely restored and expanded to offer the amenities for today's lifestyle. This includes an extensive first floor Study and full bath that can serve as a main floor bedroom suite. The New Kitchen is bright and open to the Sunroom allowing for easy entertaining and the beauty of the outdoors to be a focal point of the interior. This 4 bedroom, 4 full and 1 half

The main house, circa 1800's, has all the character and charm of an antique home, yet has been completely restored and expanded to offer the amenities for today's lifestyle.

bath home has been lovingly maintained and features New double-hung windows, New updated baths, New 4 zone HVAC, speaker system and custom lighting throughout. Just across the brick walkway from the crystal, saltwater pool is the stunning Carriage House offering a comfortable 2-bedroom/2-bath living space, while behind it is a hidden Studio with its own kitchen and bath; both have wood- burning fireplaces. Highlighting wonderful versatility, the Carriage House space is graced with a soaring ceiling, wood floors, New kitchen and double garage. Meander past the gardens and over to the quaint 1 bedroom, 1 bath cottage that has also been expertly renovated making it a modern,

comfortable space. The professionally designed outdoor spaces bring the enclave to life with winding walkways that connect all the buildings, whimsical fountains, and wonderful entertainment areas including dining terraces and a dock with direct canal access. No expense has been spared in the thoughtfulness that the property offers. Additional amenities include a 12 zone irrigation system, whole-property generator, extensive exterior lighting for evening entertaining, deer fencing and so much more to experience. If you are looking for a quiet retreat near the towpath, shopping and entertainment in beautiful Bucks County then look no further. Truly a magical experience! ●

GINA

Merry & Bright

SSHORT DAYS AND LONG NIGHTS GETTING YOU DOWN?

Need some more light? Boost your holiday spirit and come and see the wonder of festive illuminations along the Bucks County Wine Trail, at Light Up the Vines, a holiday light display. Each evening at dusk, several wineries that are part of the Bucks County Wine Trail will illuminate their vineyards for your viewing pleasure.

Visitors near and far can ring in the holiday season with these twinkling lights in the vineyards, some offering mulled wines, food trucks, fire pits, holiday music, and more during the kickoff lighting on December 10th. Festivities offered

will vary by winery. The wineries will begin turning on lights at dusk on December 10, 2022 and continue each evening through January 1, 2023.

Light Up the Vines is a free event co-sponsored by Visit Bucks County. Space is limited at each winery. We recommend calling or checking the winery’s website before heading out to ensure festivities are still scheduled. Fire pits and seating are available on a first come, first served basis. Guests may wish to bring blankets and/or their own chairs. Visits by groups of six or more require a reservation. See below for a list of illuminated Bucks County Wine Trail wineries and vineyards. ●

Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery

2730 Hilltown Pike, Perkasie 215-249-3559

bishopestatepa.com

Rose Bank Winery 258 Durham Road (Route 413), Newtown 215-860-5899

rosebankwinery.com

Buckingham Valley Vineyards 1521 Durham Road (Route 413), Buckingham 215-794-7188 pawine.com

Rushland Ridge Vineyards and Winery 2665 Rushland Road, Jamison 215-598-0251

rushlandridge.com

Crossing Vineyards and Winery 1853 Wrightstown Road, Newtown 215-493-6500

crossingvineyards.com

Sand Castle Winery 755 River Road, Erwinna 800-722-9463

sandcastlewinery.com

Photos courtesy of Crossing Vineyards

Colonial Beginnings

WELCOME TO THE NEWEST ADDITION TO OUR MAGAZINE – History Around the Corner.

This new section was created because of our mutual love of history here in the office and the questions, “who was Jane Chapman?"” and “what exactly did she do?"”After having several listings in Chapman’s Corner, we decided to dive a little deeper and find out. Of course, one thing led to another, and the creation of this new section was born. We hope you enjoy it!

The Chapman Family

Living in Newtown, you may be familiar with the two adjacent streets of the Jane Chapman Drives off of Wrightstown Road. Born in County Durham, England in the 1600s, the Chapman Family – John, Jane, and their children sought religious freedom in colonial America along with other Quakers. They aimed to land at Penn’s Colony in 1684, but a storm nearly destroyed their ship, causing them to land on the shores of Maryland. The Chapmans then traveled up the Delaware River, settling in present-day Wrightstown Township. Still standing is the John Chapman House, which was the first house farthest north at the time in the county, on their 500 acres of land. The John Chapman House, more commonly known today as the London

Purchase Farm, was used as a headquarters during the American Revolution. The property is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is just a ten-minute drive from the streets paying homage to his wife, Jane Chapman. Just off Jane Chapman Drive East are two streets, Joseph Drive and Abraham Drive, named after her only two twin sons born in Bucks County.

Remembering Washington’s Crossing

Our hometown of Washington Crossing was settled well before Washington crossed the Delaware River, so what was it named before then? This area was earliest known as Baker’s Ferry due to the Baker family’s successful business along the river. In

1776, the family sold the ferry business to Samuel McConkey and the land became known as McConkey’s Ferry. One of the most notable buildings dating back to the Revolution is McConkey’s Ferry Inn, where the Continental Army dined before setting out for their surprise attack on the Hessian Army at the Battle of Trenton. In 1829, the village became known as Taylorsville, when John Taylor was appointed as the first postmaster in the area. Now, the area is formally known as Washington Crossing, commemorating the pivotal moments that led to the turning point in the war for American independence and the rich, local history that lives on here.

McConkey’s Ferry Inn, along with the Mahlon K. Taylor House are in the Historic Village in Washington Crossing State Park. ●

Witness American HistoryCome to Life!

EEACH DECEMBER, in what has now become a Bucks County tradition, thousands of people gather on the banks of the Delaware River to watch several hundred reenactors clad in Continental military dress reenact the daring 1776 Christmas night Delaware River crossing. During this family-friendly event, viewers can witness and listen to an inspiring speech by George Washington himself and then watch Washington and his army row across the river in replica Durham boats. This year, the park is offering two opportunities to view the reenactment.

First Crossing: Sunday, December 11, 2022

TIME: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (actual crossing begins around 1:00 PM)

COST: $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-11, free for children younger than 5 years old. Family rate (2 adults and 2 children) is $20.

DETAILS: In addition to the crossing reenactment, special colonial-era activities and demonstrations in the Historic Village will offer a full day of family fun and learning.

Christmas Day Crossing: Sunday, December 25, 2022

TIME: Noon to 3:00 PM (actual crossing begins around 1:00 PM)

COST: Free

River crossings are contingent upon safe conditions for participants. However, if conditions do not allow for river crossing, ceremonies, speeches and commemorative activities still occur. Full details can be found at https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/cross-with-us/

Washington Crossing Historic Park is located at the intersection of Routes 532 and 32 (River Road) in beautiful Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. The Park offers more than 500 acres of American history, natural beauty and family fun. The site where George Washington crossed the Delaware River and turned the tide of the Revolutionary War has been preserved here. During your visit, you can tour many of the Park’s historic buildings, have a picnic, or just lounge along the river and take in the beautiful Bucks County countryside from atop Bowman’s Hill Tower. Any way you do it, you will not be disappointed!

For any additional questions or individuals with disabilities who need special assistance/accommodations who wish to attend the event should call the Visitor Center at 215-493-4076. Washington Crossing Historic Park and the Friends of Washington Crossing Park organize the annual Christmas Crossing of the Delaware River.

www.washingtoncrossingpark.org 1112 River Road Washington Crossing, PA 18977 215-493-4076

info@washingtoncrossingpark.org

Oh Sheep!

WE CAN ALL AGREE that seeing the sheep at Washington Crossing Historic Park is a huge part of the park experience, but did you know that that there are many things that sheep need in order to maintain a healthy life? In addition to foraging 8-12 pounds of grass and plants every day, each sheep at the Thompson-Neely Farmstead needs supplies like hay, grain, and supple mental minerals. They also require veter inary care, medications, fresh straw bed ding, and the loving attention of the park’s farmstead manager, Ross. You can help defray these costs by sponsoring a sheep.

Most of the Park’s sheep are heritage breeds that were raised for centuries before modern-day industrial agriculture. Breeds were cultivated over time to keep the animals well-adjusted to their environments. The sheep raised in colonial America were

mainly British which is what you’ll find at the Thompson-Neely Farmstead.

During the frigid winter months, the sheep that call the Thompson-Neely House and Farmstead home need lots of wool to stay warm. But when the weather warms up in the spring, the sheep need to shed their winterwear! Washington Crossing Historic Park traditionally shears its sheep during a public event each spring, using their wool to demonstrate how colonists would have processed the wool for various textiles. The event typically includes a trip to the barn for a hand shearing presenta tion as well as period demonstrations and tours of the historic Grist Mill. You can follow the colonial process of washing and carding the wool and spinning it into yarn. Check out the Park’s website for the next scheduled date for this event. ●

Meet the Sheep

Of the British breed sheep at the Thompson-Neely Farmstead, five are Leicester Longwools, a breed that Washington kept in his flock at Mount Vernon. These sheep have long, durable, lustrous wool. The other sheep are Dorsets, a Cotswold, a Babydoll Southdown, and a Shropshire.

John John (named after John Simpson, who built the original 1740 portion of what is now the Thomp son-Neely Farmhouse) is a Dorset mix sheep. He came to the Park with his brother Robert in July 2022. Black and brown with a crescent shaped white mark on his nose, he is curious but cautious.

Sarah

Sarah is the strong, silent type and the leader of the Dorset girls. Although she rarely makes a sound, her girlfriends follow her wherever she goes. She’s got intelligent eyes and gray speckles on her face.

For more information and to donate, please visit:

www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/sponsor-sheep

Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center 1112 River Road Washington Crossing, PA 18977

860-2800

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