Doylestown Town & Country
Hardwood, Cork, Laminate, Luxury Vinyl Tile, Lenoleum
Vinyl, Carpet, Area Rugs, Runners, Ceramic Tile
Window Blinds
ALAN FETTERMAN
You can see and do it all in Bucks County. Be sure to take Bucks County Magazine along in print on digital.
Wineries • Farms
Parks • Lakes
Trails • Dining
Shopping
Romantic B&Bs
Covered Bridges
Historic Towns
“Glorious Delaware “ 54x60 Oil on Linen
From My Desk / Bob Waite
Winter’s over—a cold one at that. Spring will become summer and as the evening breezes blow from chilly to balmy and the days are longer, we leave our sheltered winter life and make our appearances around town. We think of the things we can do outdoors. I, for one, am planning to take my two 6-year-old twin grandsons fishing whenever I can. By the time you see this letter, they will be standing by the Delaware learning how to cast, tie knots and bait a hook. By the time this letter is read, people will soon be paddling canoes on Lake Galena and flying kites in our local parks. There will be cyclists peddling along our streets and the numerous biking trails throughout the town.
Our main feature in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Doylestown Town & County is “Doylestown Re-Creation,” by Jerry Osborn. Jerry, himself, is a boating, hiking, and biking enthusiast from just over the county line in Montgomery County. His article gives us lots of great ideas about how we can engage in outdoor activities without having to travel out of the area.
Many of us do not know how interesting our area can really be. We go on tours of big cities, other countries, yet on the way to work and back we have no idea what is right off the roads we travel. But Chris and his Jeep can take you on tours where you will be discovering the covered bridges, dirt roads, gravel paths, creeks and old stone buildings on small backroads of Bucks County. In “Chris’s Jeep Joyrides,” by Cynthia Marone, you can find out about Chris’s unique service and what a joyful time you can have jumping in a Jeep with him and going on a joyride.
In our Art department we have a feature on Meg Constable, a local artist who has won awards for her drawings and painting—both portraits and landscapes. The feature, “Don’t Stop Drawing!” by Michelle Malinchak brings you into this talented painter’s studio.
We are saddened by Lisa Bridge’s passing last year after a courageous battle with cancer. Our photo essay in tribute to Lisa displays some of her best work in this publication.
We also have profiles of Doylestown people, an Around the Town section, an Editor’s Choice Dining Guide, and a Calendar of Events to help you enjoy your spring and summer in Doylestown.
Doylestown Town & Country
Publisher
William N. Waite
President
Vicky M. Waite
Executive Editor
Bob Waite
Art Director
BCM MEDIA, INC.
Photography
Bobby Waite
Account Executives
Frank Boyd, Bobby Waite
Jim Padilla, Ann Ferro Murray
Adminstration/Circulation
Melissa Kutalek
Doylestown Town & Country Living Guide is published annually by BCM Media Company, Inc., 309 W. Armstrong Drive, Fountainville, PA 18923. 215-766-2694. Published 2x a year in the spring and fall. All contents copyright by BCM Media Company. All rights reserved.
C a l e n d a r
Spring/Summer 2025
Bucks County Designer House & Gardens
April 27– May 25: This annual show house features the work of local landscapers and designers. It is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown to support Doylestown Hospital and V.I.A. community projects. Advance admission. Cedaridge Farm, 93 Stover Park Road, Pipersville, PA; www.buckscountydesignerhous.org.
Doylestown Historical Society
Come visit and see our collections and artifacts of our past in Doylestown. We also collect stories. The narratives are the human connection to our past and it is these stories that help bring history alive. Without the stories, all those photos, documents, and objects are just interesting things to look at. We also celebrate our past with events that commemorate Doylestown's people, places and events, so that they may long be remembered. Museum Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Wednesday-Saturday or by appointment. 56 S. Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215- 345-9430.
Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce
May 13: Link at Lunch featuring Enthusiast Member Speakers
May 14: Women’s Business HUSH Medical Event
May 15: Young Professional Network Meetup
June 10: Chairman’s Cirlce
June 18: Women in Business Spring Fling Luau
June 30: Annual Gold Outing “Nine is Enough”
July 17: Chamber Collab Mix and Mingle
July 25: Young Professionals Cornhole Tournament and Picnic
August 24: Veteran’s Event at the Bucks County Playhouse
September 18: State of the State of the Address and Cocktail Reception
June -August: Bucks Fever Brown Bag-it with the Arts; www.centralbuckschamber.com.
31st Annual Doylestown 5k Race
May 24: The Doylestown 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run are a Memorial Day Weekend tradition. We are taking all precautions necessary
to host a safe and fun event this year. www.dktown5k.run.
Pearl S Buck
May 15: Volunteer Orientation
June 7: Summer Floral Design Class and House Museum Tour Combo
June 12 & July 10: Pearl and Petals
Curator:Led House Museum Tour
July 22-23: High School Global Leadership Program
520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944; www.pearlsbuck.org.
Peddlers Village
May-September: Food Truck Thursdays
May 3-4: Strawberry festival
June 14-July 6: Bucks Fever- Art & Sculpture Exhibition
July 4: Red, White, Blue BBQ Bash
August 2-3: Peach Festival
September 7: Autumn Wedding Show Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, PA. 215-794-4000; www.peddlersvillage.com.
Peace Valley Nature Center
Ongoing: Saturday Morning Walks
May 11: Nature Connections: Hooray for Hummingbirlds
May 16-17: Plant Sale
May 18: Mushroom Meander
June 5: Nature Sketch Group
June 8: Grounded in Nature:A Forest Mindfulness Series
June 21: Solstice Hike Campfire
170 North Chapman Road, Doylestown, PA. 215-345-7860; www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org.
Bucks County Covered Bridge Tour
Ongoing: The Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau and the Bucks County Covered Bridge Society present this self-guided tour of Bucks County’s covered bridges. The tour begins at Washington Crossing Historic Park. The 90-mile tour makes a large circle through Bucks County and is designed so that travelers can start at any one of the bridges. GPS coordinates are given for each of the bridges. Pick up a copy of the brochure Visit the Historic Covered Bridges of Bucks County at locations throughout Bucks County. www.visitbuckscounty.com; www.buckscountycbs.org.
Mercer Museum
May-October: Movies at the Mercer
May 3-December 31: The Doan Gang Outlaws of the Revolution
May 16, June 7: Coffee and Doan-Uts
May 22, August 28: Spill the Tea! The Making of the Doan Exhibition
May 19: Songs and Stories of the Red White and Blue
June 22: Spies Like Us: The Shadowy Network of The Doan Gang
August 10: Shoot Out! The Doan Gang and the Raid on Halseys Cabin
84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA 18901;215-345-0210; www.mercermuseum.org.
Fonthill Museum
Ongoing: Evening Castle Tours
May 2: Friends of Bucks County Historical Society Bus Trip to Philadelphia
May -September: Behind the Scenes
Tours:Founthill Castle from Tower to Crypt
July 4: Fonthill Castle 4th Of July 525 E Court St,Doylestown, PA 18901
Michener Museum
Saturdays: Spotlight Tours
Through July 27: Dreams Are Real: Collecting Black Art &The Legacy of Lewis Tanner Moore
Through September 14: Judith
Schaechter:Super/Natural
May 18: Just Three Lines: Landscapes
May 20: Out of the Vault: New Acquistions
May 24-November 23: Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold
June 10: 3-Day-Stained Glass Workshop
June 28: Jazz Night: Hailey Brinnel
July 7: Watercolor Painting Camp
July 7: Creative Critters, Morning
July 28: Enchanted Art, Morning
August 4: Cosmic Creators, Morning
August 11: Fables and Frames,Morning 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa 18901;215-340-9800; www.michenerartmuseum.org.
Giggleberry Fair
Ongoing: Climb Giggleberry Mountain, learn at Giggles Discovers, visit The Game Room, and take a ride on the antique Grand Carousel at Giggleberry Fair. Peddler’s Village, Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, PA. 215-7944000; www.peddlersvillage.com.
Doylestown at Dusk Car Show
July 19: Doylestown at Dusk is a classic car show featuring over 500 cars annually. Located on the streets of Doylestown, Pennsylvania the show offers a unique experience for car owners and admirers. Enjoy live music, local restaurants, and much more–all free to the public: www.doylestownatdusk.com.
Bucks
County
Classic Race
September 7: The Bucks County Classic in beautiful Doylestown Pennsylvania is more than just a race. We embrace the sport of cycling and offer experiences for all to participate. Bring your child to one of our Learn to Ride clinics, join local organizations on a group ride, try your hand at virtual racing or experience the thrill of American bike racing on race day when racers give their all as they circle the eight turn 1.4-mile course vying for their piece of the prize; www.buckscountyclassic.com.
Doylestown Art Festival
September 6-7: Doylestown Arts Festival returns for its 29th anniversary. Featuring 160 juried artists, live music on 5 stages, local food vendors, live art, and interactive demonstrations, the festival is a great experience for all ages! Free to attend, the Doylestown Arts Festival is one of the largest and most celebrated arts festivals in the region. The festival runs 10am-5pm each day. www.dtownartsfestival.com.
Sellersville Theatre
May 5: David Sancious and Will Calhoun
May 6: The Graham Bonnet Band with special guest Marco Mendoza
May 11: Shemekia Copeland
May 22: Six One Five Collective
May 23: Darrell Scott with Chris Rafter
May 25: The Levin Brothers
May 28: The Sweet Remains
June 1: Peter Antoniou Psychic Comedian
June 3: Tab Benoit
June 6: Karla Bonoff
June 9-10: Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles
June 18: Albert Cummings
June 24: BBMAK
July 3: Crystal Ship: A Tribute to the Doors
July 15: Johnny Peers & The Muttville Comix
August 12: The Jacob Jolliff Band
136 North Main Street, Sellersville PA; www.st94.com.
Bucks County Joyrides
Ongoing: Experience a one-of-a-kind private tour with Bucks County Joyrides! Join us as we explore the area, showcasing scenic landscapes, traversing meandering creeks, and visiting historic covered bridges and landmarks along the way. We do the driving, so you don’t have too! www.buckscountyjoyrides.com; 215-664-7092.
Doylestown Book Shop
May 3: Mind Mastery Book Club
May 7: Chuck Wendig with Clay McLeod Champan-The Staircase in the Woods
May 13: Unami MS Book Fair
May 22: Baking Across America with B Dylan Hollis
June 6: Kristy Woodson Harvey//Beach House Rules Book Signing
June 7: Mary Avery//Discipline Book Signing
June 13: Ethel Rackin//In Time Book Signing
July 10: Women’s Business Book Club
July 19: Enid Langbert//All Shook up Book Signing
16 S Main St, Doylestown PA; www.doylestownbookshop.com
Town and Country Players
May 30-June 14: Picasso at the Lapine Agile
July 11-26: Titanic the Musical
September 19-October 4: Witness for the Prosecution 4158 York Road, Buckingham, PA; www.townandcountryplayers.org.
Michael Filipiak
AROUND TOWN
Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold
May 24, 2025 – November 23, 2025
Across art history, gold has long represented what is sacred and precious. Drawing from this symbolism, Lisa Naples’ most recent group of abstract and animal sculptures are literally and metaphorically grounded in this material. With either two chimney-like openings or two rabbits facing towards or away from one another, these sculptures communicate not only the wide range of human ex-
periences lived within and outside one’s self but also the common dignity that lies underneath each expression. Whether moments of tenderness or estrangement, Naples’ works invite viewers to understand these experiences as ones still grounded in gold.
For more information about Lisa Naples and this exhibition, visit www.michernerartmuseum.com
AROUND TOWN
Doylestown 5K Race
The Doylestown 5K Race is set for May 24. This is the 32nd year of Doylestown’s annual Memorial Day Weekend tradition. The Doylestown 5K Race and One Mile Fun Run promote healthy living in our community. The race is open to runners of all ages and abilities. Runners will be timed using mats which will provide chip times.
The One Mile Fun Run begins the event at 9 a.m. in the morning. It is perfect for beginners, young runners, or runners warming up for the 5K Race. Registration is $15 in advance and on race day. Registration for the 5K is $35 in advance, $45 during race week.
The 5K race course takes runners on a loop that ends in historic downtown Doylestown on State Street. One of the most popular races in the Bucks 5k Series,
this is not a course to miss. It begins at 9:30. All pre-registered runners who registered prior to May 4th will receive a race t-shirt and runners 21+ can snag a free beer after the race. Overall winners, age group winners, and the age-graded master winners will receive awards. All Fun runners will receive prizes.
Proceeds from the Doylestown 5K Race benefit two non-profit organizations: Discover Doylestown and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. Please consider these organizations when registering for our race.
Help us celebrate the 32nd annual running of this great community event. Not a runner? Come cheer on our runners and walkers along the course. For more information and registration for the race, visit www.dtown5k.run.
AROUND TOWN
Diamonds, Denim And Daffodils
The 49th Bucks County Designer House & Gardens, Hidden Trail Farm, located in Ivyland, will open its doors with an elegant Diamonds, Denim and Daffodils-themed Preview Gala on Friday evening, April 25, 2025. Tours of the house and gardens will run from April 27th through May 25th.
The centerpiece of Hidden Trail Farm is a 5,000-square-foot farmhouse featuring a welcoming porch, three fireplaces, six bedrooms and numerous gathering and entertaining spaces. The property also includes an impressive custom-designed chalet built in 1992 with an open, multistory living area, loft and two additional bedrooms.
A recently renovated pool and patio area showcases a large screened-in gazebo and stunning Koi pond with waterfall,
providing spectacular outdoor living space, while a large barn will provide space for multiple boutiques and a cafe serving lunch and light fare.
This is the largest fundraiser held by the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA), a non-profit women's organization that founded Doylestown Hospital in 1923. Funds from the 2025 Designer House will benefit the Doylestown Health Foundation and support the work of numerous VIA committees. These committees assist veterans and those in need and provide academic scholarships to teens and women seeking to reenter the workforce.
For additional information and to purchase House Tour tickets, please visit the Designer House website, www.BucksCountyDesignerHouse.org.
AROUND TOWN
Brad Sanders
Brad Sanders has been appointed Director of Marketing and Communications at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown. With a strong background in community engagement and marketing, Brad brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Prior to joining the Michener, he worked for nearly 14 years at the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission through strategic marketing and communications initiatives. Brad’s ded-
ication to promoting local culture and fostering community relationships makes him a valuable addition to the Michener Art Museum team. His expertise in marketing, coupled with his passion for the arts and local heritage, positions him to effectively lead the museum’s marketing efforts and enhance its presence within the community. With a proven track record of success, Brad looks forward to bringing fresh ideas and creative strategies to his new role at the Michener.
AROUND TOWN
Ponte Montessori at Maria’s House
The Montessori Bridge summer program brings a maximum of fifty 3-8 year-olds each week into close contact with extraordinary (and fun) components of our shared human endeavor side by side with their inspired guides and expert adjuncts. Maria's House integrates time-honored Montessori practice with new disciplines, as they break down golf and fencing, chess and organic gardening, equine and animal studies, culinary arts and madcap team sports into their most basic components.
Couple that with their usual array of advanced developmental opportunities (language arts, mathematics, reading, practical life, sensorial, music making, cultural anthropology) and their ongoing Lenni Lenape encampment, and you wind up with a summer experience that's as remarkable for family members and guides as it is for the children. And that's what our summer program is all about.
For more information, call Maria’s House at 610-290-5019 or visit www.mariashousemontessori.com.
AROUND TOWN
Designed for Nature Garden Tour
June 14th at10:00 am rain or shine
The Bucks County Branch of the Woman's National Farm & Garden Association in partnership with Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve present their ninth annual garden tour showcasing five Doylestown area home gardens that are transitioning to the use of native plants. Take home ideas on how your own yard, meadow, woodland, foundation planting, bird haven, or vegetable plot can help support pollinators and other wildlife. Native plants serve as an impetus for responsible land stewardship
and water management as well as offer a pleasurable way for each of us to reconnect with nature. Check out our native plant sale and purchase raffle tickets for a nature inspired painted rain barrel by WNF&GA member and artist, Anna Edling. Contact Melissa or Diane at wnfga.gardentour@gmail.com for ticket information. Day of tour tickets can be purchased for $20 at Doylestown and Lahaska Bookshops and Twin Leaf Gift Shop at Bowman’s Hill Nature Preserve. www.facebook.com/bucksfg.
AROUND TOWN
Farm To Toast
Ashort 15 minute to drive to Dublin, PA is worth the trip for some really good healthy food.
Farm To Toast is a gourmet toast and wellness café in the heart of Dublin, PA. Farm to Toast opened in early 2021, and is in The Shops at the Square. This healthy food café offers gluten free, vegan and organic options. Specializing in various gourmet toasts, superfood smoothies, salads, acai bowls, and all things coffee and tea. Their café offers the optimal environment for those in need of simple, feel-good foods and an
escape from the stress of everyday life.
Farm to Toast is a place where everyone belongs. Through their doors you will feel seen, cared for, and nourished with real food. A great spot for that healthy breakfast, brunch or lunch. Maybe a Avocado Toast, Dirty Banana Smoothie, Green Egg in the Hole, Toast Flight or a Farmer’s Chopped Salad may strike your fancy.
Located at The Square, 123 N. Main Street, Dublin, PA. For more information visit www.farmtotoast.com.
SUMMER CAMPS
Summers in Doylestown and be great opportunities for children to explore arts, crafts, sports, nature, technology, and, of course fun. There are four basic kind of days camps available in our area: Day Camps, Arts Camps, STEM camps and Sports Camps.
Arts Camps help turn doodlers into painters. Organizations such as The Michener Art Museum offer week-long art camps where children can explore different mediums, learn techniques, and create their own masterpieces. These camps are designed to encourage self-expression and cultivate artistic skills in a supportive environment.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) camps have gained popularity because of the growing interest in computer technology, robotics and AI. Local institutions like Bucks County Community College hold STEM-focused activities that
Day camps are among the most popular options for children in Doylestown. Various local organizations, including community centers, schools, and private companies, offer day camps that run through the summer months. These camps typically focus on arts and crafts, sports, science, and outdoor adventures. Notable day camps in the area include the Doylestown YMCA Summer Camp, where children can participate in sports, swimming and arts programs, helping to foster teamwork and self-confidence.
engage children in hands-on projects. These camps inspire young minds to think critically and creatively while developing an interest in scientific inquiry.
Sports Camps help kids improve their skills and performance in sports and there are camps for soccer, basketball, and tennis and other team and individual sports. The area's parks and recreation departments often host these camps, providing professional coaching and skill development sessions. through healthy competition and teamwork, children not only improve their physical abilities but also learn valuable life lessons about perseverance and sportsmanship.
One of the greatest advantages of attending camps in Doylestown is the sense of community they foster. Many camps encourage
interaction between children of different backgrounds, promoting friendships and social skills that extend beyond the camp experience. Participation in group activities also helps children develop leadership qualities and learn the importance of collaboration.
Summer camps in Doylestown, PA, offer a wealth of opportunities for children to learn, grow, and forge new friendships. From arts and sports to STEM and traditional day camps, families have many options to select from, ensuring that every child can find a camp that aligns with their interests and passions. As summer approaches, parents are encouraged to explore these local offerings and provide their children with enriching and enjoyable experiences.
Don’t Stop Drawing!
Having awards from the Philadelphia Sketch Club’s juried exhibitions of Works on Paper, painter Meg Constable takes heed of the advice of her professor and keeps drawing and painting
The oversized canvas takes up a good portion of her studio as Meg Constable sits on a stool talking about her latest work in progress. Larger than life, the portrait of a man’s face with haunting eyes stares back at you.
“I was going through a dry spell with no painting ideas, when I started looking at old photos online. His came up and I knew I
had to paint him, though I never thought I’d be painting a convict,” she said.
The original 1902 black and white mug shot was taken in North Shields, England and the accused, named Alfred, holds a placard. “I think he stole some chickens,” she said. Pictured here wearing a soulful expression, he appears contrite and more personable in her version of him. “I wonder what he’d think if he knew his portrait was being
Peighton Ocean City New Jersey 60X48
painted here in 2024,” she laughed.
It’s always the eyes of her subjects that intrigue her. “I really like direct eye contact,” she said, “It feels like they’re still there.”
Meg defines her style as slightly abstracted realism and seeks to simplify shapes. Diving right into her work, she draws her subject directly onto the canvas
with no preliminary sketching. First she’ll make a mark on the canvas for the head, then brush in the rest of the face using paint thinned in turpentine. Multiple thin layers of paint and glazes are applied to achieve her end result.
Her palette is limited, consisting of Payne’s grey, vermillion, yellow ochre, raw
sienna, burnt sienna, raw umber, burnt umber, Italian green umber and some white. As for brushes, she never buys expensive ones because, “I kill them,” she said. She goes through large brushes quickly and buys them at the hardware store, but also
paints with extra-long filberts.
She also enjoys painting plein air and her landscapes of Sheard’s Mill Covered Bridge were done on site. Using expressive brush strokes, the warm reds of the bridge are reflected in the cool blue-gray waters of
Oil Sketch Adams After18X24
Tohickon Creek.
Her favorite spot to paint, however, is her studio. She has been artist in residence at 7th Street Studios in Perkasie, PA for four years where, almost every Sunday, she draws and paints from live models. She is also a regular at the life drawing sessions held at the home of artists George and Emily Thompson.
Meg's drawings have won several awards at Philadelphia Sketch Club’s juried exhibitions of Works on Paper. She was also in their 158th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings in 2022.
Meg later attended Tyler School of Art and graduated in 1995 with a bachelor of fine arts degree. Her experience there was rewarding and said, “I definitely give Tyler two thumbs up.”
At Tyler she took figure drawing from
professors Stanley Whitney and Susan Moore, who were both influential in her art career. “It was amazing there,” she said. “We could bring large rolls of paper, tack them to the wall and work on full sized life drawings.”
She kept in touch with Susan Moore after she graduated and when Meg was about to marry and move to the suburbs, Susan emphatically told her: “DON’T STOP DRAWING!”
Meg has taken her advice to heart throughout the years. “I tried painting as much as I could (sometimes with my kids), and took a bunch of workshops. It was like playing hooky,” she said. “And life drawing sessions everywhere I could…in Philly, Norristown…I finally started to enter work in exhibitions in 2017.”
But it wasn’t until the pandemic and
lockdown that she began painting full-time, inspired by the work of old masters online. “Just looking at their work and thinking about paint and color and form—it was so amazing just to sit and study,” she said.
staff at the inn. “Now others want theirs done next,” she said. She also does commissioned work which challenges her but still brings enjoyment.
Taryn Day, artist and owner of 7th
After Mancini18x24 study
These include works by Diego Velasquez, Antonio Mancini, Ilya Repin, Joaquín Sorolla, Ferdinand Hodler and Andrew Zorn. The turn-of-the-century Russian faces Meg has depicted are particularly contemplative and soulful.
Always on the lookout for new subjects, she has even painted some of the kitchen
Street Studios, said of Meg's work, “I love the way she works in an all-or-nothing way, diving in to work with her full attention and then leaving it in a state of discovery.”
In many ways she’s still that girl in the barn having fun with her dad’s brushes and a few cans of paint. Though her current subjects are more complex as her skills have
advanced, painting has and always will be her happy place.
Meg’s paintings can be viewed on her website: www.megconstable.com and at 7th
Street Studios in Perkasie. She is also on Instagram @megconstable_studio.
Michele Malinchak is a freelance writer and avid gardener from Quakertown, PA.
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Chris’s Jeep Joyrides
Chris Marano loves Jeeps and he loves Bucks County, so it is no stretch for him to be in the business of taking people on eye-opening tours
Only in a Jeep,” which sang boldly from TV screens in between sitcoms and dramas in the 1980s, was a different way to see the world. It was a life of no limits and countless things the dynamic sport utility vehicle and its owner could do. Every time Chris Marano would drive his Jeep through Bucks County, he wished he could share his only-in-a-Jeep adventures with non-Jeepers. “The main focus for me was to bring people around the local area so they could see the different parts of Bucks
County, like Upper Bucks County, along River Road and the river towns that are there, the canal town up in Uhlerstown.” Chris said.
Traveling by way of a Jeep is just one of the things that sets Chris’s Bucks County Joyrides, a tourism company he founded in May 2022 where he is also the principal guide and driver, apart from the many other ways to sightsee. For Chris, his Peddler’s Village-based business also is about where he takes his group, what historical sites and natural wonders he can share during the 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours they are together, the
rapport he builds along the way and the camaraderie he has with other local businesses.
Chris’ pickup/drop-off spot is Mama Hawk's Kitchen & Coffee in Peddler’s Village, where he has been known to sit and chat with his groups before a tour even begins, or from the several inns and bed-andbreakfasts he works with. “Peddler's Village was a big part of our lives for a long time. We'd go there frequently. My daughter and I would jump in the Jeep, put the top down, head up to Peddler's Village to hang out there for a little bit, maybe get something to eat. Then we would drive toward Upper Black Eddy and get lost driving around, no particular destination,” Chris said of his trips with Samantha, the now-19-year-old daughter he shares with Lisa, his wife of 32 years.
These trips were not only the building blocks of Bucks County Joyrides but also the impetus for discovering the covered bridges, dirt roads, gravel paths and creeks that were eventually woven into its tours. But then the old stone buildings Chris passed along the way caught his eye, and he started reading up on them. The rest is—literally—history. “That was the final piece of it. It was my daughter and I, driving around, and each little piece getting added over the course of five years, six years, “Chris said. His routes can take in the Erwin-Stover House and Barn in Upper Black Eddy or the Van Sant Airport in Erwinna along with the back roads of Bucks County. The settings are not only dramatic but dynamic. “There is something different to see in each of the seasons. Come out in the spring, see
everything blooming, the warm weather's back, you've been cooped up all winter, let's get out and see something. In the summer, it's let's take a leisurely ride with the top down.
The fall's an easy one—let's see all the beautiful colors in Bucks County. The winter is, let's see all the things you couldn't see that the foliage was hiding,” Chris said.
Chris became enamored with Jeeps as a kid watching World War II footage with his father, who was catching the documentaries for glimpses of airplanes. The craftsmanship of wartime planes, then muscle cars, dazzled Chris, but when he spotted Jeeps bounding through all that grainy footage, his first thought was, “that looks cool.”
Chris named his jeeps. He said, “Not everyone does it, but most people in the Jeep Life do name their Jeeps. It's been done for a long time,” Chris, who graduated from The Art Institute of Philadelphia with a degree in multimedia design, said. “I named them because, for my business, I wanted them to have their own characteristics.”
Both Wrangler Unlimiteds, The General is a 2005 two-door named after George Washington, while The Doan Gang is a 2014 four-door. The monikers capture the duality of history, as the two had a clashing relationship during the American Revolution. Washington was, of course, the commander of the Revolution against England. The Doans were from a Quaker family in Plumstead who became spies for the British, which garnered them the sympathies of fellow Loyalists. Chris admits it’s an interesting choice for a name but he has
his reasons. “I named that white Jeep The Doan Gang purposely because it is such a large part of the history here in Bucks County that a lot of people don’t know about. I lived here for years and didn't know about it. I stumbled onto it when I started reading about covered bridges, believe it or not,” Chris, who is a web developer at Artspan in Lambertville, N.J., and had previously done the same at InLiquid/StudioZdesign in Philadelphia for 10 years, said. “I find it fascinating they were such a large part of the history, but so many people don't even know who they are. I wanted to bring that hidden history out more, into the forefront. As far as naming the blue Jeep The General, well, that's referring to Washington. I wanted to balance out the good side-bad side thing.”
Chris’s web world and his Bucks County Joyrides have more in common
than even he realized. “I hadn't even really thought about it but it makes perfect sense. The whole thing with web design is, you're always seeing the front page and not all the stuff that happens behind it. I live in the world behind it with all the stuff that makes the things work that you see,” Chris Marano said. “As far as the tour business goes, it's sort of like that same thing. I'm working in the back to plan the routes, learn the history, figure out how to market everything and then what you see is ‘Hey, let's jump in the Jeep and drive around for a good time.’”
For more information on Bucks County Joyrides, visit www.buckscoun tyjoyrides.com, email ridewithus@buck scountyjoyrides.com or call 215-6647092.
Cynthia Marone is a freelance writer who lives in Philadelphia, PA.
Doylestown Re-Creation
Opportunities for daydreaming on a bench by a lake, paddling a canoe, hiking or bicycling on a trail through a wooded area are all very available in Doylestown and surrounding areas
By Jerry Osborn
When summer comes I want to go and I think you probably do too. It’s important to get what we call recreation, meaning re-creation. You see during the winter when we stay indoors we lack sunshine and the kind of exercise that is fun and emotionally satisfying. I know, we go to the gym or workout on machines that look like medieval torture devices, but how much delight do we get in that? So, summer is a time when we can engage in activities that nourish both the body and the soul. We can play outside. And there is no better place to do that than in the Doylestown/ Central Bucks County area. So here are some suggestions about where to go and what to do during those warm summer days.
My first suggestion is to go to Peace Valley Park. To begin with: Do nothing. Walk along Lake Galena on the paved pathway, find a
bench, sit there and watch the boats float by. As you begin to get squirmy then maybe take a hike. There are 14 miles of trails in this park and you may work up a sweat—it’s summer after all. So take a hike. Or ride your bike. But then you see that big beautiful lake and you wonder, “What can I do to get closer to the water?” Well, those boats that float by—you can rent one or launch your own with a permit. Kayaking, canoeing, or floating on a raft can make you feel new, re-created. You can also go fishing, visit the Peace Valley Nature Center and sign up for Moonlight Walks or just keep sitting on that bench enjoying the sun and watching the fun. Peace Valley Park is located at 230 Creek Road, New Britain, PA.
If you like to pump pedals and grip handlebars, then a great place to go is Chapman Park. There they have a pump track. You can do this alone, with a friend or you may want to do it with a club. If you crave company, check out the Central Bucks Bike Club at www.cbbikeclub.org. They are looking for new members. In fact the
Borough of Doylestown has a webpage called Bike Doylestown and it has information about the Chapman pump park and links for the bicycle enthusiast. See www.doylestownbo rough.net/pages/bike-doyles town. A list of all the Doylestown Borough Parks can be found at www.doylestownbo rough.net/pages/parks.
Kids can have a good time at most local parks, but there is one where they can have over-the top fun and that’s Central Park with Kids Castle Playground. It is built like a small kingdom and features buildings that look like a wooden castle with sand surrounding it. There are places to climb, slides, a maze and lots of room. That sand is like a humongous sandbox. Don’t you wish you were still a kid? They seem to have all the fun! Kids Castle is located within Central Park in Doylestown Township at 425 Wells Road, Doylestown, PA. To learn more about Kid’s Castle Playground visit www.doylestownpa.myrec.com/info/facil ities/details.aspx?FacilityID=12833 and also visit www.savekidscastle.org.
Central Park in Doylestown Township, where the Kid’s Castle Playground sits, is also a great spot for other kinds of recreation. On the Township website (www.doylestownpa.org/departments/parksrecreation/parks) it says, “Paved surfaces also connect both sides of the park and meander through meadows and wetlands. Flowers, butterflies, bluebirds abound, enchanting both bikers and hikers. It is the start of Circuit Trails network (www.CircuitTrails.org) leading to Montgomeryville and on. A destination for walking and biking and simply enjoying nature.” Doylestown Township has seven parks.
When someone says to me, “Take a hike,” I take it literally. At least I do when thinking about the Doylestown area. Trails
in parks and connections to networks of trails can be found throughout the area. Several come to mind. Neshaminy Greenway Trail is considered “a generally easy route” and is 2.4 miles and takes about 49 minutes to finish. Near Fonthill Castle is the Fonthill Park Loop that is 1.3 miles and takes about 28 minutes to hike. A good place to visit for information on hiking in the area that lists the best ten trails in Doylestown is the All Trails website www.all trails.com/us/penn sylvania/doylestown.
The point is get out there. Get some summer sunshine. There are so many things to do outside in the Doylestown area that build your body, relax your mind and have lots of fun. Besides boating, biking and hiking you can play sports tennis, golf, softball, pickleball, cornhole and the old
standards; quates and horseshoes. And talking about horseshoes, there are many opportunities for the equestrian inclined in the area. So get out there re-create your body and your mind. Have fun and enjoy the sun, water, parks, trails that are so close to home.
Jerry Osborne is a Montgomery County resident who loves to hike, bike and boat in Central Bucks County.
Lisa Bridge
Lisa Bridge, whose untimely death last year caused us much sorrow, began working for Bucks County Magazine in 1992 at its inception. She worked on special projects and as an ad representative. But her love has always been photography. With her unique visual sensitivity, Lisa used black & white photography in an age of color
Police Officer with his dog
to show something deeper than simply the images themselves. Lisa loved animals, especially dogs and horses and her photos show how much these simple scenes in Doylestown capture something essential about the town she loved and bring us into the heart of its fundamental character. So, scenes like a police officer petting a dog or the art deco doors of the County Theatre teach us something about Doylestown’s heart that words and even color never could.
Salem United Church of Christ
Lisa always saw animals as pensive and affectionate creatures.
Organic foods at a farmstand and the exterior of a Quaker meetinghouse bring the viewer into a sense of deep roots and a feeling of place.
DINING OUT - Editor’s Choice
Bacco Bistro
Bacco Bistro has a lively atmosphere, engaging conversations, attentive servers who remember your preferences. Bacco Bistro is located at Doylestown Shopping Center, 478 N Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-9882; www.baccobistro.com.
Domani Star
Domani Star is an intimate Italian restaurant where you can dine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and private parties.Every dish is homemade with quality ingredients that honor tradition. Domani Star is located at 62-64 West State Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-489-9101; www.domanistar.com.
Cross Culture
Cross Culture provides a classic combination of indisputable knowledge, unique experience and traditional values that carry worldwide recognition. Cross Culture is located at 62-64 West State Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-489-9101; www.crosscultureindiancuisine.net.
Hattery Stove & Still
The Hattery Stove & Still is in the Historic Doylestown Inn. It offers modern American fare and comfort food that is sure to please any guest. Hattery Stove & Still is located at 18 West State Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-345-1527;
www.hatterydoylestown.com.
Heirloom
Simply put, the goal of Heirloom is to provide heartfelt cooking and genuine service. The focus is on dining as a pleasure and a source of nourishment and comfort. Heirloom is located at 54 East State Street, Doylestown PA; 267-880-6610; www.heirloomdoylestown.com.
The Farm House Tavern
The Farm House Tavern is a local tavern providing good food, drink and companionship to Doylestown Since 1953. The Farmhouse is located at 380 N Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-345-9373; www.farmhousetavern.com.
86 West
86 West is a Doylestown Restaurant and Bar that offers a downtown nightclub environment in downtown Doylestown. 86 West serves up sushi, sashimi, and small plates in the tapas tradition. 86 West is located at 86 W State Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-8600; www.the86west.com.
Geronimo Brewing At Lilly’s
Geronimo Brewing is a small scale brewery for brunch, lunch, and dinner operating jointly with Lilly’s Gourmet to combine unique and exquisite food with tailored craft
brews. Lilly’s is located at 1 W. Court Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-230-7883; www.lillysgourmet.com.
The
Penn Taproom
The Penn Taproom has what you're looking for in a casual night out or a delicious lunch. The Penn Taproom is located at 80 West State Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-230-7299; www.penntaproom.com.
Quinoa
Quinoa offers a Peruvian food with a fresh burst of savory meats, fresh seafood, and a rainbow of Peruvian & Mexican peppers. Quinoa is located at 54 E State Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-2826; www.quinoarestaurantbyo.com.
OOKA
OOKA offers a lively Hibachi option as well as a relaxed fine dining area. The beautifully decorated sushi bar is stocked with fish, flown in daily from near and far. OOKA is located at 110 Veterans Lane, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-8185; www.ookasushi.com.
Terrain Cafe
Terrain’s Greenhouse Cafe is a seasonally inspired brunch and dinner location. The cafe is designed to blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. Located at 2100 Lower State Road, Doylestown, PA; 267-680-8108; www.shopterrain.com/doylestown-restaurant.
Water’s Edge
Entertaining family and friends is something Water’s Edge undertakes with great pleasure, like how coming into a home always includes wine and a delicious meal. Water’s Edge is located at 50 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 267-689-WINE; www.wewdoylestown.com.
Water Wheel Tavern
Featuring sustainable menus for all tastes and culinary ranges, known for the diversity of food, weekly menu specialties, Sunday Brunch, and outstanding libations. Water Wheel Tavern is located at 4424 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-8300;
www.waterwheeltavern.com.
Vela
Vela serves fresh, house-made pastas to craft cocktails featuring local spirits, Vela offers a taste of Doylestown that values traditions, both new and old. Vela is located at 140 Veterans Lane, Doylestown, PA; 215-230-8352; www.veladoylestown.com.
Station Taphouse
Welcome to the Station Taphouse: A Premier Upscale Pub, Restaurant, and Patio Destination conveniently located at the Heart of Doylestown's Historic Train Station. Station Taphouse is locate at 194 W Ashland Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-230-8352; www.thestationtaphouse.com.
Paganini
Paganini strives to serve the community hand crafted, locally-sourced Italian & European inspired dishes in a comfortable atmosphere. Paganini is located at 81 W. State Street Doylestown, PA; 215-348-5922; www.paganinidoylestown.com.
Maxwell On Main
With a great selection of craft beer and oneof-a-kind dishes, every dish served takes into account, history. From Brooklyn to New Orleans to San Francisco. MOM’s is located at 37 N Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-340-1880; www.momsdoylestown.com.
Chambers
Chambers is a very vibrant restaurant where people can expect quality food, drink, and service and strives to uphold tradition and continue to provide guests with a great local experience. 19 N. Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-1940; www.chambers19.com.
Slate Bleu
Slate Bleu is a casual dining space that offers quality and appetizing meals to its guests. Open for dinner, Slate Bleu is a classic European bistro in a charming historic space in Doylestown's Agricultural Works. Slate Bleu is located at 100 S. Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-1940;www.slatebleu.com.
Doylestown Guide 2025 51
MIDDLE BUCKS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY • Dr. Mark Covelle
Dr. Mark Covelle is the Administrative Director of Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT), where he leads efforts to reimagine the role of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing students for successful futures. MBIT serves students across four Bucks County school districts—Centennial, Central Bucks, Council Rock, and New Hope-Solebury—offering 21 career programs across five major career clusters. From health sciences and multimedia to construction and public safety, MBIT helps students build real skills with real value.
Dr. Covelle’s career began in a traditional K–12 setting, teaching high school English before taking on administrative leadership roles. He holds degrees from Boston College, Wilkes University, and Lehigh University, and earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Drexel University.
A passionate advocate for modern CTE, Dr. Covelle is a highly sought-after speaker who brings both the lens of a classic educator and the vision of a workforce development leader. He believes deeply in the power of connecting students to their purpose, equipping them with technical and employability skills, and giving them educational and career options.
Originally from the north suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Covelle credits his own great teachers for inspiring his journey into education. Today, he continues to elevate the conversation around career-focused learning. He also hosts aMBITious, a podcast that highlights innovation, leadership, and the evolving world of career education.
Dr. Covelle lives in the Lehigh Valley with his wife, Stephanie, and their Weimaraners. He enjoys traveling the world, spending time at home with family, and engaging in national and international efforts to advance education. In 2024, he was selected for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s inaugural education study tour to Germany to explore apprenticeship and workforce development models. For more information, visit www.mbit.org.
BARN NATURE CENTER • Therese (Terry) Dougherty, Executive Director
Therese (Terry) Dougherty brings over 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience in academics, fundraising, and event planning, with a career dedicated to supporting youth and education. She has held key roles at institutions such as the University of the Sciences, Temple University, Valley Forge Military Academy & College, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University.
Over her career, Terry has received the AHPERD Layman’s Award, the Bob Levy Community Service Award, the GSK Impact Award as well as Pennsylvania Statewide Youth Development Afterschool Champion Award for her work with positive youth development
Currently, Terry serves as the Executive Director of the Barn Nature Center, a nonprofit organization that provides a home for rescued animals while using them as educational ambassadors for the community. The Barn Nature Center offers educational workshops, summer camps, traveling animal programs, guided tours, toddler time and birthday parties, all designed to foster a love for nature and wildlife.
Before joining the Barn Nature Center, Terry was the Executive Director of College Settlement Outdoor School and Summer Camp, Philadelphia City Rowing (PCR), and the North Penn YMCA. She is deeply passionate about education and environmental stewardship, particularly as they relate to youth development. Her experience in summer camps and integrating learning with play has had a lasting impact on the youth in her programs. Known for her expertise in fundraising, special events, and program development, Terry excels in fostering collaborations and engaging with youth of all ages.
The Barn Nature Center is located at 1283 Almshouse Road, Doylestown, PA. For more information, visit www.BarnNatureCenter.org, call 445-205-0793, or email www.barnnaturecenter@bncfoundation.org.
JILLIAN RYAN VOICE ART • Jillian Ryan, Voice Artist
One could say that Jillian Ryan has lived more lives than many of us. Prior to having two children later in life, Jillian was a world traveler who has, along the way, collected many professions, including that of pre-school teacher, restaurant manager, pastry cook, bartender, voice-over artist, and producer who works from her in-home studio.
Jillian has voiced commercials, character voices for video games, a short-film narrative, and is currently narrating the audiobook “Fiona and the Forgotten Piano,’ written by Kate DeMaio, a woodsy and whimsical novel scavenger hunt through hidden worlds. Such a project is ideal for Jillian-a well-written and intriguing adventure with over 30 different characters to voice. The work seems even playful to Jillian, who entrenches herself into the material (the book will be available on Audible in May). Her warm and assuring voice is an easy listen, yet her ability to shift through character voices is notable.
Jillian also thrives as a bartender (de facto multi-tasker and psychologist) at the Red Fox Lounge—the newest addition to Cock and Bull, where she recently was awarded Employee of the Month.
Her skills as a martial artist kept her confident to travel and live alone all over the world; she traveled on a whim, learning to dance tango while living on Kauai, then to Buenos Aires to dance with some of the best tango dancers in the world. A hopeless romantic, she then took herself to Dubai (where she learned to ski, ironically). Jillian dipped into South Africa, England, and then decided that dental implants were a great reason to visit both Turkey and Thailand. With a modicum of heartbreak, Jillian exiled to Italy.
Her attitude? “Gratitude and an open heart will always keep you winning.” Jillian is available for voice-over work and can be reached at www.jillianryanvoiceart.com or info@jillianryanvoiceart.com.
As a visual brand consultant and former international photographer, Natalie has spent nearly 25 years helping business owners move from scattered and stuck to strategic and selfassured. Through her work, founders stop second-guessing their visuals and messaging, and start showing up like the brand they’re meant to be.
She guides clients through the visual and strategic decisions that shape how their brand is seen, understood, and trusted—across their website, marketing, and other customer-facing touchpoints.
Her career started behind the camera in bi-coastal studios in DC, New York, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. She photographed high-profile events, worked on national campaigns, and co-founded The Wedding Ring, a collaborative bridal retail experience that showed her just how powerful brand storytelling could be when done right, and how many founders were missing the mark.
Today, Natalie works with purpose-driven founders across industries, both product-based and service-led. She helps them align their visuals and messaging so they can look, sound, and feel like the brand they know they are. Whether she’s consulting on strategy, coaching on content direction, or helping a founder dial in their website photos and copy, her approach is lowlift, high-impact, and designed to move businesses forward.
She has built an international business, consulted with hundreds of founders, and taught hundreds more through her courses and workshops. But what really lights her up is helping entrepreneurs go from guessing and cobbling things together to showing up with total confidence in their content, their brand, and their voice.
Based in Bucks County, Natalie continues to support founders who are ready to align their vision with their visuals and create the kind of brand presence that gets noticed and drives results.
Looking Back /Martha Dana Mercer
May 21, 1872–February 21, 1960
Martha Dana Mercer was a US art collector and philanthropist who married the artist William Robert Mercer of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, who was the brother of Henry Chapman Mercer. Together they designed and built Aldie Mansion in the Tudor revival style, today owned by the Heritage Conservancy of Bucks County. The couple had twins in 1910 who died within a year. She organized the Doylestown branch of the Red Cross Society and served as its first chairperson. Her husband died in 1939 and Martha split her legacy into three equal parts, forming the Martha Dana Mercer Trust, which she gave to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Arnold Arboretum (in the name of her father), and the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston.
