9 minute read
The Olimpis: Living Life by Design
Resident Feature by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
Thanks to Alpha Century Security of Newtown Square for sponsoring our Resident Feature.
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Meet Jake and Sarah Olimpi: A couple who loves to laugh, sing and make beautiful music. They truly know how to live life by design, and they work hard to plant the seeds for a beautiful future. Their story is uplifting, inspiring and reminds you to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
Many of you may already know Jake because he and his two sisters grew up and went to school here. His family first lived in Newtown Square, then moved to Broomall when Jake was in high school. He attended Culbertson Elementary School, Paxon Hollow Middle School and graduated from Marple Newtown High School, where he spent most of his time in the music department. Jake was in the Concert Band, Choir, Orchestra, Handbells, Musical Pit, and Drama Club. He also played tenor drums in the drumline for the Marple Newtown Tiger Marching Band.
There was never a doubt that music was Jake’s future. After graduating from Marple Newtown, he was accepted at West Chester University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in Double Bass — the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra. Jake then continued his studies at West Chester, earning a Master’s degree in Music Technology in 2019.
Greenhouse that Jake built for Sarah
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Jake’s love for music and education led him to the Oxford Area School District as a Music Teacher and Choir Director. After three years there, he learned of a position right back where it all began: the music department at Marple Newtown Senior High School. Jake currently teaches Music Technology courses along with Guitar and Music Theory. And it should come as no surprise that he is now the Director of the Tiger Marching Band, String and Chamber Orchestras, Steel Drum and Indoor Percussion Ensembles, Concert Percussion and Jazz Lab Band. He also is the advisor for the Tri-M Music Honors Society. When you think of Tiger Pride, you think of Jake Olimpi.
To say Jake’s blood runs orange and black is an understatement, and it seems as though Sarah doesn’t mind “playing” right along. The first thing you notice when you pull up to their home is a bright orange mailbox with black numbers!
Although Sarah is originally from Rochester, New York, she said that Newtown Square reminds her a lot of where she grew up with her parents and her older sister. Sarah attended grade school and middle school in Walworth, NY, and graduated from Ruben A. Cirillo High School, where she participated in Choir, Select Choir, Concert Band, and the Theater program. She also played on her school’s Softball team, and in her Senior year, she was voted both Homecoming Queen and Prom Queen.
Sarah has always had an eye for design, so after high school, she headed to New York City. She attended Fashion Institute of Technology and earned her degree in Marketing and Communications. After graduation, Sarah moved to Brooklyn, where she began working as the Home Production Assistant for Better Homes & Gardens magazine. “I loved my time in NYC,” Sarah said. “I was able to meet and work with many amazingly creative and talented people early in my career.” One of those people was her former boss, designer Eddie Ross, who was a mentor and is now a dear friend.
Sarah and Jake with rescue pup Bolt
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Sarah’s blossoming career brought her to Philadelphia in 2015. She began working as a Project Manager for Terrain, whose upscale home and garden locations feature native plants, seasonal decor, outdoor lighting and gifts for every occasion. “It’s really cool to work with a creative and collaborative team!” explained Sarah. “And I love learning more about plants and gardening that make up the Terrain garden lifestyle brand.”
For Sarah, sourcing and selecting plants and products for her home is something very special. “My dad owned his own interior plant service in upstate New York. We even had a greenhouse attached to our house.” Sarah’s father passed away the same year she began working at Terrain. She is sure he gifted her with a green thumb of her own. “My dad is an inspiration for my houseplant obsession,” she said laughing. “Jake and I have over 50 plants and counting!”
Like many millennial couples, Jake and Sarah met online, in November 2016, through the dating app, Bumble. “Sarah messaged me,” Jake said, “asking what subjects I taught, and about the three adorable cats in my profile picture.” He told her that he was a music teacher, and that his cats were triplets that he rescued from Providence Animal Shelter. “I was planning on adopting just one cat, but there was no way I could break up siblings,” he explained. He named them Hall, Anne and Oats, and he said they are not only adorable, they’re also the friendliest cats in town.
Sarah then told Jake about her rescue pup, Bolt. “I adopted Bolt when I moved to Philadelphia,” she said. “I knew I needed a companion who loved all the same things I do: food, snuggling and people.” Bolt is a Corgi/Black Lab mix who was born with one ear that’s permanently up and the other permanently down. Sarah said that the moment she saw him at the shelter, she knew he was just perfect. “Bolt is the sweetest, most loved pup around,” she boasted. “And he was awarded the most improved and most handsome in his dog training class, of course!”
Jake and Sarah’s mid-century modern home
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Jake and Sarah’s mutual love for music and animals was just the beginning. The two arranged to meet at The Standard Taproom in Philadelphia, and they immediately hit it off. They shared their life stories over drinks and laughs, but the night ended with Jake getting a parking ticket. On their second date — bowling — they discovered they had much more in common than they had originally suspected. Jake said, “We really knew we were meant for each other when we learned that we both loved the show, Pimp my Ride, a series on MTV where cars in poor condition are restored and customized.”
Sarah learned that Jake enjoys gardening and woodworking, and that they both love spending most of their time outdoors, enjoying nature and going for walks. They also discovered that they had similar childhoods. “We notice so many similarities with our families,” Sarah remarked. “Like both of our mothers are Jewish, but our fathers are not. And in both of our childhood homes, we would drag the piano bench to the table for extra seating on holidays.”
The chemistry between Jake and Sarah was undeniable, so in 2018 they decided to start building their life together. They purchased a condo in Marple Woods, close to Jake’s family, and started planning their wedding. “We were supposed to have our wedding in June 2021, but because of the ongoing global pandemic, we pushed it to April 2022,” explained Jake. “We felt it was best to make sure our family and friends will be able to celebrate with us to the fullest.”
Although the formal ceremony is on hold for now, Sarah is very excited about planning the celebration. “Jake and I will be married at Eddie Ross’ event space, Maximalist Studios, in Norristown,” she said. “The venue is an old textile factory building turned into a space with white brick walls and an extensive prop house full of assorted chic furnishings and accents.” Their vision is to share their big day with the ones they love most, surrounded by lots of plants and dancing the night away.
Gorgeous renovation to their living room wall
Photo courtesy of Jake Olimpi
Sometimes, the most challenging moments present you with opportunities — if you’re willing to look. This was the case in November 2020, when a house that was absolutely perfect for them came on the market. A mid-century modern ranch home that needed a lot of work was certainly going to be a massive project, but Sarah and Jake were ready to restore it back to its glory.
“We have really enjoyed bringing our home back to life and filling it with so many cool pieces of furniture and decor from the 1950s and ’60s.” said Sarah. They both remarked that the timing of their purchase was perfect because the interior renovations happened during the winter months and now, they can focus on designing a beautiful backyard. Jake set up a woodworking studio in the garage, and built Sarah a greenhouse. Their plan is to create a beautiful outdoor space with native plants, a vegetable garden, and fruit trees like the lemon tree they recently planted.
Their home is in the St. Albans section of town. “We love this neighborhood!” said Jake. “It’s quiet and charming, and just steps away from some of our favorite local businesses like Luigi & Giovanni’s and Bunny Hare’s.” Sarah and Jake are looking forward to meeting more neighbors now that the pandemic restrictions have been lifted. They have plans to host backyard barbecues and attend community events like the new Friday afternoons Farmers Market at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. They also plan on extending their green thumbs to help the folks with Newtown Square in Bloom keep our community beautiful.
Sarah and Jake Olimpi at their home in Newtown Square
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
For Jake, living and working in the same town allows him the opportunity to connect on a deeper level with his students and their families.
Jake also wants us to know that he is very grateful for the tremendous community support.
Sarah says they can’t go anywhere around town without someone recognizing Jake. “Mr. Olimpi is pretty popular around here,” she joked. “I tell Jake that when I officially become Mrs. Olimpi next year, I’ll be famous, too!”
Thank you, Jake and Sarah, for sharing your story with us. Your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors are looking forward to meeting you and watching your future take full bloom.
Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.
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