MAY 2018
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Your guide to unique places, interesting events, fine dining, great shopping and the special lifestyle of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware
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ANNUAL EQUESTRIAN ISSUE
Two-Tier Open Cu Bracelet in Gold, Silver and Diamonds by Lika Behar
36 Chestnut Road | Paoli, PA 19301 | 610.644.5347 walterjcookjeweler.com 14
County Lines | May 2018 | CountyLinesMagazine.com
CONTENTS VOLUME 41, NUMBER 8 J MAY 2018
37 FOLLIES: ARCHITECTURAL WHIMSY
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IN THE GARDEN
At Winterthur through January 5, 2020 Mary Irene Dolan
Malvern’s 150th Memorial Day Celebration
A season of traditions, high-intensity horse races and family fun is here. We cover four races, with schedules. Alexander Schmidt
43 ALONG THE MAIN LINE 44 STEEPLECHASE IS BACK
50 GUIDE TO THE DEVON HORSE SHOW
So much to see at the Horse Show & Country Fair. Check out the photos and 11-day schedule. Laurel Anderson
Art shows, gallery walks and studio tours Megan Sweeney
Spring into the season with an updated wardrobe.
Get your outdoor living spaces ready for the season.
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63 ART GALLERY ROUND UP 67 SPRING STYLE
68 LANDSCAPE & GARDEN DESIGN 71 HOME & GARDEN
Finally ... time to enjoy the beauty of the season Marci Tomassone
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76 HOME OF THE MONTH
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Vintage Thoroughbred Farm in Chester Springs Laurel Anderson
80 CHESTER COUNTY IN BLOOM
Our latest photo contest is bursting with color!
Time to mix it up when choosing liquid refreshment Mary Irene Dolan
Ka’Chi Truck – Korean with a twist Laura Muzzi Brennan
83 BRUNCHTAILS
89 BRANDYWINE TABLE departments 16 WORTH KNOWING 21 GOOD TO KNOW
23 MAY PICKS 24 BEST LOCAL EVENTS
87 FOOD NEWS 98 INDEX
Cover photo and top photo by Brenda Carpenter CountyLinesMagazine.com | May 2018 | County Lines
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Steeplechase Is Back Alexander Schmidt
The season of traditions, high-intensity horse races and family fun is here again. Jump into the fun at the best steeplechase races anywhere.
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PRING FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING, COTTON-BALL
clouds dot blue skies and warm breezes roll along green hills. Spring is finally here. And May brings the best way to celebrate: the 2018 steeplechase season. Every weekend this month boasts a unique opportunity to cheer on majestic thoroughbreds and their epic dashes and jumps, including at a ruby anniversary event at Winterthur. Even better—the races are coupled with boutique shopping, race betting, tons of tailgating and raising money for good causes. Get up and get out to join family-friendly festivities that make steeplechase a quintessential spring experience in the Brandywine Valley. LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS For newbies: a steeplechase is a distance horse race across the countryside in which competitors and their mounts must jump over fence-and-ditch obstacles. The name refers to the church steeples that designated the original race course start and finish. Tracing its history back to Ireland over 250 years ago, steeplechase racing came to America in the late 19th century. Thomas Hitchcock began a training center for the sport at his estate in South Carolina and earned himself the title of Father of American Steeplechasing. By the 1930s, the races spread to Pennsylvania as well as nine other states, and the hooves haven’t stopped since. Races are now sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association to ensure an authentic equestrian experience. Today’s local races are bigger and better than ever with more competitions, more high-stakes purses (that’s prize money) and more fun for all. Whether you’re just steeplechase-curious or a longtime fan, check out what the area’s equestrian community has to offer.
Radnor Hunt Races
PHOTO COURTESY: JIM GRAHAM
YOUR GUIDE TO
THE DEVON HORSE SHOW & COUNTRY FAIR SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO DURING THE EXCITING 11 DAYS OF DEVON. MAY 24—JUNE 3, 2018. Story by Laurel Anderson Photos by Brenda Carpenter
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HAT WILL YOU DO AT THE DEVON HORSE
Show & Country Fair this year? The grounds will soon come alive behind the sky blue fence along Lancaster Avenue. With 11 days of action in the Dixon Oval and the Wheeler Ring—plus scores of tempting shops throughout the Country Fair and tons of fun around the Midway—all vying for your attention, decisions are difficult. Let our Guide on the following pages, and the one-page schedule of events, help you plan your visit. Choose whether to come for the Dog Show at the Horse Show or for Family Weekends.
Plan to watch the tiny riders in the Lead Line, the colorful Costumed Pony Hunt Cup or the expert riders at the Sapphire Grand Prix. Visit on Ladies Day or for the Tribute to our Heroes. Join over 100,000 visitors—plus horses, riders, vendors and volunteers—who are captivated each year by the tradition that is the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair! Just make sure you go!
CountyLinesMagazine.com | May 2018 | County Lines
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[ Home of the Month ]
Vintage Thoroughbred Farm A UNIQUE EQUESTRIAN ESTATE IN CHESTER SPRINGS
Laurel Anderson
D
REAMS OF COUNTRY LIVING ARE SOMETIMES complicated by the limitations of the historic Colonial homes that anchor many of these properties—small rooms, closed spaces, no modern amenities. That’s part of the reason Diane and David Charlton fell in love with this special home in northern Chester County. With two daughters who rode and a sports-minded son, the family was looking for “lots of open space,” said Diane. “We 76
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looked at many historic homes in the area, but none felt right,” she continued. Then they drove through the gated entrance and up the long, curving drive, past the 10-stall barn with groom’s quarters, along the five paddocks, riding ring and open pastures. Near the crest of the hill, on over 36 acres, was a stunning home. “We bought the property for its spectacular views,” said Diane. “Then we fell in love with this livable home that fit our active family.”
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Vintage Thoroughbred Farm had something for every family member. David started racing, breeding and selling thoroughbreds, mostly for fun. Working with, among others, John Servis—Smarty Jones’ trainer—David was able to have about 10 horses at a time on the aptly named gentleman’s farm. The girls had a base to develop their riding—from local shows at Ludwig’s Corner to the national level at the Devon Horse Show, as their prize ribbons attest. Meanwhile, the son had perhaps the most enviable game room imaginable—with billiards, ping pong, foosball and shuffle board tables (all included with the sale of the house), not to mention a pool area where everyone wants to hang out. For Diane, the bright, well-designed, open-space modern house with every amenity—inside and out—made a comfortable, livable place to raise a family, host friends and enjoy country living at its best.
MAIN HOUSE The L-shape design of this 5-bedroom home contributes to the abundance of natural light in every room. Soaring vaulted ceilings, grand interior spaces and numerous over-size windows capture the views along with sunrises on the eastern side and sunsets over the swimming pool and gardens. Wisteriabedecked pergolas are reminiscent of a villa on the Riviera, while Brazilian cherry floors, custom finishes, built-ins and more cherry details add warmth throughout this sophisticated three-level house. The main level features a Great Room with a vaulted ceiling accented with cherry trusses, a stone fireplace on a full fieldstone wall for a Chester County farmhouse touch, plus a full bar and a set of atrium doors to the secluded screened porch. Pocket doors lead to the equally impressive dining room, with cathedral ceiling, more wooden trusses, fieldstone fireplace, built-ins, spectacular views and access to the rose garden. CountyLinesMagazine.com | May 2018 | County Lines
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