The Doylestown Cardinal - April 2023

The Cardinal

PEDDLER’S VILLAGE TO HOST SEVERAL SPRING EVENTS

Fanny Chapman Makes Summers More Fun

By Lauren Heine

The Cardinal Contributing Writer

Fins down, Doylestown is an exceptional place to reside and raise a family in any season. But there’s something magical about summer thanks to the Fanny Chapman (FC) Pool. The quintessential destination on a hot summer day has a special place in the heart of the community that spans generations.

Legacy runs deep at FC Pool. Drew Sterner spent his summers there in the ’70s and ’80s. He recalls conquering the high dive and not letting anything keep him from his time at the pool. When he started a family of his own, he raised his kids at the same pool. This year marks Sterner’s inaugural year as Pool Manager with plans to maintain continuity established by James Foster who held the position for 17 years. “It’s a great place to spend the summer and be part of a great community tradition,” Sterner says. His wife Kim is the registrar and contributes years of experience as a member of the Parents of Fanny Chapman Swim and Dive Team Board. Their young adult children Spencer and Courtney were once students of the swim program. Later, they became instructors and now return for their 3rd year as Directors of the Swim Lesson Program.

The community feel and the

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Peddler’s Village, a countryside shopping, dining, lodging, and family entertainment destination in the heart of historic Bucks County, PA, that is widely recognized for its popular festivals and events, will be hosting several familyfriendly events in April.

The fourth annual PEEPS® in the Village competition and display, which will this year feature more than 100 marshmallow creations, opened on March 13 and continues through April 23.

Easter will be marked with the annual Easter Egg Hunt (a ticketed event) on Saturday, April 8, followed by the traditional Easter brunch at the Cock ‘n Bull on Sunday, April 9.

The first festival of the year, Spring FunFest, will

Earth Day . . . Every Day

By Natalya Bucuy

The Cardinal Managing Editor Take. Make. Throw.

The journey of a simple soda demonstrates the default linear path. We take aluminum out of the Earth, make it into a soda can, then throw it in the trash, often after only a single use. When it comes to our relationship with the environment, we can always do better. And not just on Earth Day, which we celebrate on April 22 this year, but every day.

“To make us more sustainable, we need to move away from this take, make, throw economy to a more circular one,” says Gemma Scott, a Doylestown recycling and waste management expert. “We can prevent trash and pollution, keep products in use for longer, and restore nature, not just do less harm.”

Scott, who has worked in the recycling industry both locally and internationally, advocates small steps for business owners and consumers. Incorporating simple practices can help reduce waste as well as save costs for business owners, she says.

Strategic and efficient use of raw materials can help decrease waste and save money. For example, kitchens can save as much as 20 percent in food costs by not over-producing, Scott says. Removal of single-use packaging, utilizing e-receipts instead of paper ones, and double-siding printed business materials are all moves in the right direction.

take place on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23. Additionally, thousands of Village-wide tulips are expected to bloom in the weeks ahead, providing a spectacular spring backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos.

On March 13, the opening day of PEEPS® in the Village, the official “PEEPSmobile” made an appearance, creating additional photo opportunities for guests. The display itself, which will feature more than 100 creations, will be open daily during shop hours (excluding Easter Day) through Sunday, April 23 in the Visitor and Event Center. Until April 1, guests can vote for their favorite dioramas, sculptures, and wall art, with winners receiving cash prizes.

Also located at the Visitor and

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PRACTICE

“Whilst some sustainable products, such as cleaning products, organic produce, and recycled paper are more expensive, a business’ use of these products can serve as a marketing tool to appeal to environmentally

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Stand Up For Justice: Bringing Respect to Other’s Differences

By Shana Trichon Special to The Cardinal

Across the Central Bucks School District, a district of 18,000 students of varied backgrounds, there are continued reports of students facing racism, antisemitism, transphobia, ableism, and other kinds of bigotry and bullying while at school. In an effort to bring respect for others’ differences and as a way to acknowledge those who strive to do so, The Stand Up For Justice (SUFJ) Educator Grant was introduced to the CBSD Community.

Beth Povlow, a retired teacher, started the SUFJ Educator Grant 13 years ago in Collier County, Florida in response to a group of students who initiated “Kick a Jew Day” throughout their school district of over 47,000 students. She partnered with the Greater Naples Jewish Federation (GNJF) to create the grant in effort to counter bigotry in schools and highlight the work of educators who actively work to promote justice. Since then, the program has been going strong and making a critical difference in the schools. The GNJF says this program is the most important thing they do.

The SUFJ Educator Grant recognizes High School, Middle School, and Elementary School educators who are innovative in bringing respect for others’ differences into their activities with students in a transformative, impactful, and caring way. The goal is to create a resource for educators of any discipline to incorporate strategies that promote understanding and respect among students, countering bigotry and bullying.

In November, Shana Trichon (daughter of Beth Povlow) and Heather

Reynolds introduced the SUFJ Educator Grant as a pilot program to the CBSD community. The program has been very well received. Educators across the district are thrilled about this initiative. Shana and Heather partnered with the Desis of Doylestown, a local 501c(3) non-profit organization as the fiscal sponsor. Together, they help organize a grassroots effort to collect donations in support of the grant, with the generous help of the Central Bucks community.

For the inaugural year of the grant in CBSD, seven exceptional educators have been nominated by parents, students, community members, and colleagues. These nominees are grateful for the opportunity to be recognized for their work, in the hopes that it then inspires other educators to create impactful programs/lessons.

This year’s nominees are:

• Mary McDonald - CB West HS Family and Consumer Science Teacher. McDonald created West United and Student Unity Day that implements initiatives to increase cultural competence and promote awareness, understanding and acceptance in the school community.

• Rebecca Cartee-Haring - CB West HS English teacher. CarteeHaring created lessons promoting understanding of the personal impact that bias and prejudice can have as well as learning how to navigate the many arguments and fallacies that the students may encounter.

• Dr. James Massey - Unami MS Social Studies teacher. Through his career-long research of justice and equity, Dr. Massey implements his work into daily lessons with his students.

The Cardinal Replaces Writers with Artificial Intelligence

By James Lamb Special to The Cardinal

Have You Heard of ChatGPT?

Released in November of 2022, ChatGPT caused a growing buzz around its ability to accurately replicate natural human language. Within the first week of its launch, ChatGPT already had more than one million users.

ChatGPT draws from a large vocabulary and has encyclopedic knowledge, which means it understands words in context and can mimic speech patterns. Essentially, it is a simulated chatbot that generates human-like responses to a prompt with customer service as its main purpose. However, people quickly discovered other uses for it, such as writing essays and articles. It’s like asking Alexa or Siri a question but getting the answer back in written form.

Already, students have posted on social media about having ChatGPTgenerated essays written for them. As recently as this past month, Paul Nelson,

junior student leader and president of the Metropolitan State University of Denver Chess Club, was quoted as saying, “It will be a boon to the societies that pick this up.”

We at The Doylestown Cardinal have been experimenting with ChatGPT since its inception and see great value in its application. With that said, we are announcing that not only was this article written with ChatGPT, but all of our articles after this month’s issue will be generated by ChatGPT and we’ll be laying off all of our writers…and, if you haven’t figured it out already, April Fools!

We love our writers!

• Team Burgess, Hughes and Dunst: Andrew Burgess - Unami MS Social Studies teacher; Kelsey Hughes - Lenape MS English Teacher; Beca Dunst - Lenape MS Art Teacher. Burgess, Hughes, and Dunst helped create a Peer Leadership program. They then organized and implemented building-wide programs to gain the distinguished No Place For Hate status.

• Keith Willard - Holicong MS Social Studies Teacher. Willard organized a field trip to the Mercer Museum with all of the eight CBSD secondary schools’ Diversity/GSA/SAGA clubs, bringing them together to experience the exhibit, “The Diversity of Bucks County”.

• Nancy Flanagan Kelly - CB East HS Guidance Counselor. For the month of October, Flanagan Kelly organized National Bullying Prevention Month programming with the support of 6 student-led groups, bringing students from diverse backgrounds together.

• Matt Pecic - CB South HS Librarian, who is inclusive and supportive to all of his students.

The nomination process has ended for this school year but will resume in the Fall of the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. The winners will receive a monetary grant and a beautiful plaque to display. The winners and their work can be found on the website.

The goal is to grow the program within CBSD and then implement it into other school districts. No one should come to school and feel that they do not matter, that they will be bullied, or that they need to fear anything.

Please help shine a light on the educators in CBSD doing this good work. Visit the website cbstandup4justice.com to make a contribution today.

YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Metro Esports Expand Their Partnership to Warminster

YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties

and Metro Esports have announced the expansion of their partnership with the opening of a new esports gaming lounge at the YMCA’s Warminster branch. Following the successful collaboration at the Y’s branch in Doylestown, the Y in Warminster will provide members and community residents with a welcoming and inclusive environment to enjoy gaming, camps and technological skill development regardless of age and ability.

The state-of-the-art gaming lounge began running programs on March 27 at the Warminster YMCA located at 624 York Road. YMCA members and non-members will be able to take part in casual gaming tournaments and league play for major esports titles, while using powerful industry leading gaming PCs, next-generation consoles and popular gaming and esports titles. The gaming lounge will also be a center for STEAM and esports education for participants interested in building, programming and designing games that they enjoy playing.

Centennial Esports League will offer students in-person esports competition on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Transportation will be provided for students to the YMCA for matches and practices, and the lounge will be available for individual and team practice sessions throughout the week. Each season will feature different games such as Fortnite, Smash Bros, and Rocket League, where competitors can sign up individually as “Free Agents” or as a registered team, depending on the season title.

The Metro Esports gaming lounge at the YMCA in Doylestown has enjoyed increasing popularity and participation since opening in June 2022. The gaming center hosts 300 guests per week on average, and over the summer hosted gaming campers over 418 session enrollments. Access to Metro Esports gaming lounges at Warminster and Doylestown branches are included with Y membership and programs are available for a discounted fee. Community members may access the lounge via a per visit guest fee and may participate in programs by paying the registration fee.

Esports, gaming and TechU STEAM summer camp options are open for registration at the Y’s Doylestown and Warminster branches for children heading into grades three to seven. Camps are held in the state of the art gaming lounges and led by Metro Esports professionals. Half day and full day options (9 AM-4 PM) as well as an extended day (4:30 PM) are offered and vary by location. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Families can learn more about esports and adventure summer camps at ymcabhc.org/camp.

Doylestown Celebrates Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Along with the opening of the esports gaming lounge, YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Metro Esports are announcing, in partnership with Centennial School District, the Centennial Esports League at the YMCA branch in Warminster. Operating over eight-week seasons, the

Information about the new YMCA Metro Esports Gaming Lounge in Warminster may be found at https://www.ymcabhc. org/sports-arts-esports/esports, visiting the branch in person, or calling (267) 3879622. For inquiries specific to the YMCA Centennial Sports League, please reach out to metroesports@ymcabhc.org.

By Sheela Rai

The Cardinal Contributing Writer

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a holy month of fasting. It is celebrated on the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar. This year it falls on the dates of March 22 – April 21. Ramadan originated in the seventh century, when Prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the holy book, the Qur’an, during this month, making it sacred.

Refraining from food and drink during the daylight hours serves as an act of deep personal worship. The month culminates with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration filled with prayer, giving, community, joy, and feasting.

Members of the Muslim community in Doylestown come from all parts of the world and thus celebrate in their own unique ways. I had the opportunity to speak to two local community members. They shared how their families celebrate, as well as their own personal reflections on what this holiday means to them.

Durriya Shamsi, a Behavior Analyst, grew up in Pakistan. Shamsi celebrates with her husband and two sons, ages 20 and 24. For her, Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and rejuvenation. Members of her family work to foster good habits and gratitude for what they have. They strive to help those around them and support the disenfranchised. Shamsi’s family begins Ramadan with Sehri, the meal eaten before the fast, at dawn. For them, it is often roti (bread) with ground beef. After the day of fasting, they break the fast with a Kajor (date), sweet lassi (yogurt drink), and potato pakora (battered fried potatoes). The day ends with the recital of Namaz – post-fasting prayers.

Iman Azeez, a Junior at Council Rock South High School, identifies as an IndianAmerican and Muslim. She says Ramadan

shows her how much she has, including food and access to water. This time of year brings her family closer together and closer to God. Every evening they cook a big meal to end their fasting. She is always grateful for that big meal.

Eid al-Fitr is a joyful day for both Shamsi and Azeez. They both begin the day by going to their Mosque in Willow Grove. Shamsi gives her son Eidee a gift of money. Azeez and her brother get a present of their choice, as well as something they both like, such as a trip to Starbucks. To her, it is a celebration of gratitude for how much they have. Shamsi and her family usually celebrate with friends from the community, feasting together with Biryani, Korma, or other decadent foods.

Both Shamsi and Azeez came to Doylestown from cosmopolitan areas, from London and California respectively. They often miss the larger Muslim communities from which they came. Azeez worked with her school board to get Eid al-Fitr on the Council Rock school calendar. She finds educating others about the holiday very rewarding and empowering.

Shamsi and Azeez are thrilled that Doylestown will be holding its Second Annual Eid Celebration this year. Desis of Doylestown, a local not-for-profit organization, will host the event on April 30, location to be determined. Both attended the celebration last year. Azeez reflects that having people see the beauty in her culture felt amazing. “It made Doylestown feel more like home. Like we matter, and our voice matters,” she says. To those who celebrate Ramadan, Ramadan Mubarak - I wish you all the blessings of the holy month. May it bring joy, health, and wealth.

For updated information go to https://desisofdoylestown.org/eid-ul-fitrcelebration

Gamers compete in tournament play at the Metro Esports gaming lounge at the Doylestown branch of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. Photo courtesy of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties

Bucks Beautiful

By Sarah Peters

The Cardinal Contributing Writer

You might know the founders of Byers Choice, Robert and Joyce Byers, for the collectible carolers, handcrafted in Chalfont. But you might not know that the Byers started Bucks Beautiful after being inspired by the beauty of European gardens and the sense of community that blossomed from them.

According to Bucks Beautiful’s Communications Director, Laurie To, the Byers felt these gardens “accentuated the communities and they wanted to bring that aesthetic to Bucks County. This was how the concept was conceived.”

The Byers and their friends started this non-profit to bring spectacular gardens to our landscape here in Bucks County. Today, there are four part-time staff members and a talented board of directors who continue the Bucks Beautiful vision.

The organization takes great pride in making Bucks County an even more beautiful and sustainable place to live and visit, as well as educating the community through various programs.

Bulbs for Bucks

While driving around town, you’ve likely seen their daffodil displays. In 2010, the organization began this initiative to plant daffodil bulbs in strategic locations around the County, including over 1.7 million bulbs to date. Bucks Beautiful provides a Daffodil Tour Map on its website so you can see the flowers yourself. These include locations such as Moravian Tile Works, Pine Run, Mercer Museum, Bush Park, the 611 and 202 bypasses, and more.

RePlant Bucks

In 2018, the organization began a new initiative to replace trees impacted by storms and invasive species. They’re well on their way to reaching the lofty goal of over 10,000 trees planted. They’ve scouted many locations for this reforestation, including schools, parks, and museums. Several local landscaping companies have generously donated trees to make these plantings possible, including native species such as oaks, tulips, hickories, sycamores, red maples, and chestnuts.

Other Projects

Not only does the organization invest in local gardens, but it supports local Bucks County students. Buck Beautiful offers scholarships to college students majoring in horticulture and related studies. They also sponsor lecture series at Delaware Valley University.

Save the Date for the Kitchen and Garden Tour

Set aside Saturday, June 11th to visit various homes around greater Doylestown, learning from talented master gardeners. This 28th annual Bucks Beautiful Kitchen and Garden Tour will take place rain or shine. Reach out if you’d like to offer your home for this year’s tour, as Bucks Beautiful always looks for more picturesque properties to feature.

How Can We Support Bucks Beautiful’s Efforts?

Laurie To pointed out that “Bucks Beautiful is only funded by private donations, grants we apply for, our membership program, and two annual fundraisers - which include the Spring Fling Gala in April and the Kitchen and Garden Tour in June.”

Become a member of Bucks Beautiful, volunteer with one of their many initiatives, sponsor a gift, or purchase tickets to any of the upcoming events. You can donate daffodil bulbs in memory of a loved one, or in honor of someone special. Visit www.bucksbeautiful. org to learn more about their offerings and to get involved in beautifying our local landscape. Sarah Peters is a top-producing Realtor, leader of the Sarah Peters Team, ALC board member at Keller Williams Doylestown, and mother of three. She’s passionate about serving others and helping people find themselves right at home in greater Bucks County. For more details, visit www.sarahpetersteam.com, Instagram @sarahpetersteam or call her at (484) 459-9944.

Event Center is the Village General Store that will be featuring a “PEEPS® Pop-Up Shop.” Guests can purchase a wide selection of PEEPS® merchandise including plush bunnies and chicks, PEEPS®-themed T-shirts, accessories, and more.

April will feature Easter celebrations, including an Easter Egg Hunt (a ticketed event) on Saturday, April 8, and an allday Easter buffet at the Cock ‘n Bull on Sunday, April 9.

Spring FunFest, the first festival of the year at Peddler’s Village, takes place on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23. Geared towards guests of all ages, Spring FunFest will include special activities and live performances, outdoor food and drinks, and a Family Fun Walk benefiting the Autism Cares Foundation ($10 per person). Guests who participate will receive a free carousel ride at Giggleberry Fair and kids under 12 years of age will also receive a moonbounce ticket. The first 50

participants will receive a $5 Giggleberry Fair game card.

“We’re excited to be entering the next season of festivals and events at Peddler’s Village,” said Chief Operating Officer Bob McGowan. “Each year, we strive to provide a family-friendly destination where guests of all ages can enjoy our special events –a place where visitors, near and far, can experience the very best of what Bucks County has to offer. This year is looking to be the best yet for our festivals and events here at Peddler’s Village.”

Other upcoming events include Comedy in the Village on Friday, April 21, a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: Houdini’s Whodunit on Friday, April 14, and a Cupcake Decorating Competition, with entries displayed from Wednesday, May 3 through Saturday, May 20. A blood drive open to the public will be held on April 10. The Strawberry Month Kickoff Weekend will be held on May 6 and 7.

EARTH DAY EVERY DAY - continued from page 1 conscious customers,” Scott says.

Turns out, some local organizations and businesses already practice sustainability in unique and creative ways. Here are some examples.

Doylestown Borough. Our town employs a number of green initiatives. In 2017, the Borough established a Green Building Incentive program. The program encourages cost-effective and sustainable building methods that conserve fossil fuels, water, and other natural resources. It also promotes the reuse and recycling of construction materials and reduces solid waste. Building permit applicants can receive Green Points for specific sustainable building practices and then use them to reduce permit fees.

In December 2022, to reduce the impact of plastic waste the Borough Council passed an ordinance that prohibits single-use plastic bags at retail establishments and restaurants within the borough. The ordinance restrictions take effect on June 23, 2023.

Bucks County Community College. The institution puts forth environmentally-friendly efforts in various areas of operation. Its campuses use large containers for single-stream recycling and compost tumblers that transform cafeteria food waste into mulch. The college’s Printing Action Team assesses the environmental and financial impact of printing behaviors at the college and encourages double-sided printing. Recently, the college increased the use of video conferencing to reduce employee travel among three campuses. The Lower and Upper Bucks Campus facilities and the new Linksz Pavilion in Newtown use geothermal energy for heating and cooling. Some of the Upper Bucks Campus buildings have green roofs. Recently, the college also installed two solar-powered roof ventilators.

Nourish by Mama. This local-favorite take-out eatery offers wholesome and nutritious breakfast and lunch selections. And its owner, Kendall Bajek, takes

sustainability quite seriously.

Nourish uses local and organic ingredients whenever possible and does not use any GMO products. “We make sustainable business decisions that minimize our negative impact on the environment and also support other local businesses in the community,” Bajek writes on her website.

Smaller businesses in the community don’t fall short in their sustainability efforts. In Full Swing thrift shop sells and recycles donated clothes. The non-profit serves A Woman’s Place , the domestic violence organization, and keeps millions of pounds of textiles out of the landfill.

Spray Away Power Washing company deems chemicals unnecessary and does not use any in its operations.

A Chalfont-base landscape firm 4B Landscape & Construction has eliminated herbicide use in garden beds and along curb edges. A snow removal firm Versatile Snow & Ice Management has reduced the amount of chlorides used for snow and ice management by switching to brine, which reduces salt usage by 70%.

Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing utilizes solar power, geothermal heating and cooling, and reusable bags for purchases. Guiltfree wine? Yes, please!

Local Stonemason, Tony Dovidio , says his company only uses reclaimed stone and bricks. “We typically only use lime mortars as they are carbon neutral and environmentally friendly for the home and the world,” Dovidio says. “We also use a carbon-negative insulation that’s been around for about 1000 years and will keep the home fireproof, draw carbons from the air, and is mold mildew and pest proof.”

Whatever businesses and individuals do to practice sustainability in everyday life can help our planet. Every little bit matters. So, let’s celebrate Earth Day not just on that one day in April, but every single day. What will you do with that soda can when you’re done with it?

photo by Paul Boger

photo by Paul Boger

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in Doylestown, Stark & Stark, Gemmi Construction, and Elite Air Systems.

Event sponsorship opportunities are still available and auction item donations are being gratefully accepted. NOVA is requesting donations of the following types of items for the auction:

• Gift Certificates

• Jewelry

• Art

• Gift Baskets

• Sports Memorabilia

• Services

• Excursions

All contributions to the event are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. For information about sponsorship, or to donate an item for the auction, please contact Michelle Cash, Director of Development at 215-343-6543 ext. 6602 or by email at Michelle.Cash@novabucks.org.

A Night of Harmony at the Michener Art Museum

to immigration legal services, education, connection to community resources, and collaboration with allies.

FCP’s Professional Education Series Focuses on Telehealth and Ethics

As part of Foundations Community Partnership’s (FCP) Professional Education Workshop series, Dr. Charles Jacob discusses “Telehealth Tips, Strategies, and Ethics” on April 5 from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) in Doylestown.

NOVA Auction & Gala “An Evening at the Garden Party”

Slated for April 20

NOVA will host An Evening at the Garden Party Auction & Gala, on Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at The Warrington, 1360 Almshouse Rd, Warrington, PA. Tickets are $100 per person and event proceeds will benefit NOVA programs and services. To purchase tickets, make a donation, or receive more information visit bit.ly/Nova_Auction.

An Evening at the Garden Party Auction & Gala will include a four-course dinner, entertainment and a silent auction. The silent auction will feature over 100 items, such as gift certificates, merchandise, sports memorabilia, jewelry, art, gift baskets

and more! This event is NOVA’s largest fundraiser of the year and thanks to the generosity of sponsors and supporters, last year the event raised $100,000.

“We look forward each year to hosting our annual Auction and Gala,’’ stated Penny Ettinger, Executive Director, NOVA. “We are most grateful to our sponsors and all of those who attend and support NOVA’s mission, aiding victims of crime and preventing violence through education and advocacy programs. We invite everyone to join us this year for an exciting Evening at the Garden Party!”

The Title Sponsor for this year’s event is EC Fence & Ironworks, a major supporter of NOVA’s Auction & Gala and other fundraising events for over a decade. Other sponsors include: Olive Oil Etcetera

Immigrant Rights Action is hosting A Night of Harmony, its first Annual Event on Thursday, May 4th from 5:30-8:30pm at the Michener Art Museum to celebrate our accomplishments and to raise funds to support our mission.

“Music is a universal language that unites us, and I hope you can join us for this cultural exchange experience.” – Heidi Roux, Executive Director

Our program will include musical performances by Eco Del Sol, music from the Andes and Latin America. Jazmin Tapia will share about her journey from a DACA recipient to Immigration Law Student. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

Tickets are available at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/a-night-of-harmonytickets-534016125607

Immigrant Rights Action seeks to ensure that the human rights of our neighbors are upheld. We do this through access

FCP’s professional development series, generously supported by Haven Behavioral Healthcare, offers psychologists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, educators, and other professionals in the field of human services the opportunity to engage with and learn from experts in the field. Three continuing education credits

Dr. Charles Jacob discusses “Telehealth Tips, Strategies, and Ethics” on April 5 as part of Foundations Community Partnership’s Professional Education Workshop series.

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are offered to social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychologists, and NBCC counselors.

Dr. Jacob is a lecturer in the Counseling and Mental Health Services Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and is licensed as a counselor, psychologist, and marriage and family therapist. He also serves as the Academic Director of Professional and School Counseling Programs in the Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy at Seton Hall University.

During this workshop, Dr. Jacob demonstrates examples of common ethical concerns faced by practicing clinicians providing counseling and related services via telehealth. Further, a review of current laws, practice standards, and future trends of mental health services will be provided, followed by relevant case examples outlining potential ethical quagmires.

Registrants can attend this hybrid workshop at the BCIU, 705 N Shady Retreat Rd, in Doylestown, or view it online via Zoom. Cost is $50. For more information and to register, visit www.fcpartnership.org/ workshops.

Pastel Class at Gathering

The art gallery and boutique Gathering is sponsoring a pastel class on Saturday, April 29 from 12:00 to 2:30pm at their location at 65 West State Street in Doylestown. The workshop, conducted by Elissa Goldberg, will guide you through the process of how to create a tranquil marsh scene with soft pastels.

Congratulations Jill Antonucci!

Doylestown Township wants to wish colleague and long-time employee Jill Antonucci congratulations on her retirement from the Township. After 28 years of working in the Finance Department, Jill is putting her adding machine away and beginning her retirement journey.

Brian Guerriero received a thank-you from the Doylestown Borough Council for going above and beyond to rehabilitate Burpee Park. During a council meeting on Feb. 27, Mayor Noni West presented Guerriero with a certificate of appreciation for his efforts, including power washing and painting, as well as landscaping.

Guerriero decided to work on Burpee Park when he noticed that its pavilion had seen much better days. While he noted that the borough keeps up the park really well, care of the pavilion is more of a gray area. It was set up near the park’s entrance as a memorial to a relative, but starting a few years ago, the person who set it up could no longer maintain the building.

So Guerriero decided to jump in. One of the biggest jobs was handling the landscaping surrounding the building, as everything was overgrown and stuck to the walls.

“I had to figure out how to get the vines out of the brick and out of the rafters,” he said.

He then power washed and painted the building. Guerriero believes the building is now set for a while.

Read more at TAPinto Doylestown.

Upcoming Events in Doylestown

Community Yard Sale at Central Park

Saturday, April 29th • 8:00am – 1:00pm

Held in one of the Central Park parking lots, each registered vendor will receive two parking spaces. Both spaces can be used for your items, or you can use one space to park your vehicle and the other for your items. The event will also be advertised on the Township’s website and social media pages, on local event sites, and advertised in the newspaper.

Space is limited! Vendors must be registered by April 22nd!

Register Online at www.doylestownpa. org/departments/parks-recreation.

Touch-A-Truck Event at Central Park

Saturday, May 13th • 10:00am- 1:00pm

Here’s your opportunity to let your children experience what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of these big machines in a safe environment. They can sit in the seat, honk the horn, and turn the wheel of their favorite trucks! This year we will also have some food trucks so come hungry! Registration is NOT required. Bring out your family for this fun and free event!

Jill was hired in February of 1995 to work with the Township’s accounts payable, handle payroll and assist the DTMA. Jill has been an asset to the Township over the years. She also enjoyed volunteering at Township events like Oktoberfest and the summer concert series.

Jill is wished a long and enjoyable retirement. Thank you for your outstanding service to our community!

Drug Take Back Day- April 22nd

No experience necessary, only an interest to learn and have fun. Or an opportunity to fine-tune your skills. Each person will go home with a matted individualized masterpiece.

All materials supplied. Bring a smock or clothes you don’t mind getting messy. Cost: $60 per person.

Further info at gatheringdoylestown. com or gatheringdoylestown@facebook.com

Volunteers Needed - Join the Doylestown Fire Company!

Want to serve your community? Come join the DFC Team! New to Firefighting? No problem- training will be provided. Volunteers opportunities are also available for non-firefighter contributing members (i.e., administrative work). Please see the recruitment video below. For more information, please visit their website or call the non-emergency number at 215-348-2656.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10PM2PM which will feature multiple public drive-up collection sites throughout Bucks County. Simply drive up-or walk in-and drop off any unused, unneeded, or expired medications for safe disposal. In addition to prescription medications, officers will be collecting over the counter and pet medications, vitamins, vaping products and more. Select sites throughout the county will be collecting medication and sharps.

Doylestown Township Local Drop Off

Locations:

• Doylestown Hospital (SHARPS COLLECTION) 595 W. State Street Doylestown, Pa 18901

• Weis Market 73 Old Dublin Pike Doylestown, Pa 18901

If you can’t make it to Take Back Day in April you can still safely dispose of your medications any day during normal business hours at the collection box in the lobby of the Doylestown Township Police Department located at 425 Wells Road in Doylestown.

Doylestownian Acknowledged for Sprucing Up Local Park

A resident of Bucks County is being acknowledged by his community for the work he has done to keep a local park in tiptop shape.

Jill Antonucci

Kids Cast Their Spells at Mercer Wizarding Academy

Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, and more. In addition, campers receive Owl Post, participate in a series of Quidditch challenges, as well as a special dueling championship. All witches and wizards have many opportunities throughout the week to earn House Points and try to win the coveted House Cup, celebrated in a team Award Ceremony at the conclusion of each week.

This indoor/outdoor summer camp experience connects fantasy, history, science, literature and team-building in a one-of-a-kind setting at the Mercer Museum, and is a must for fans of the Harry Potter series.

The Mercer Museum, one of Bucks County’s premier cultural attractions and a Smithsonian affiliate, features both local and national seasonal exhibits as well as a core museum collection of over 50,000 pre-Industrial tools. The permanent collection offers visitors a unique window into pre-Industrial America through sixty different crafts and trades and is one of the world’s most comprehensive portraits of American material culture.

Located in Doylestown, PA, the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society, are historic castles celebrating the legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930), American archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramicist and scholar.

This summer, young witches and wizards ages 7-12 return to the Mercer Museum to cast a spell at another exciting year of the Mercer Wizarding Academy. This longstanding Mercer Museum educational program offers multiple week-long, halfday summer camp sessions filled with magic and excitement for young campers.

Wizard dress is highly encouraged, and campers are divided into separate “houses” by the magical Sorting Hat. Throughout the week, campers find their perfect wands and practice their spells, enjoy fantasy classes in Potions, Defense Against the Dark

EN GARDE! A Taste of Bucks County Academy of Fencing

We’ve all done it. We’ve watched a swashbuckler film, then struck a fencing pose in the mirror and whispered, “En garde.”

The opportunity to actually learn to fence is right around the corner at the Bucks County Academy of Fencing.

The BCAF has two locations; one in Lambertville, N.J. and the other in Hatfield, PA.

If you’d like to give fencing a try, the BCAF offers a ‘Taste of Fencing’ program which is a 60-minute lesson once a week for three weeks for $125. Equipment is provided and each student receives a fencing glove that is theirs to keep.

This program offers newcomers an overview of fencing, so they can decide if they’d like to continue with the sport before making a big commitment of time and money.

“There are so many benefits to fencing,” said Mark Holbrow, the head fencing master at BCAF. “It sharpens your agility, balance, reflexes and your mind, and it’s a really good form of exercise.

“Fencing is for everyone; no matter what your age or fitness level, there’s a place for you if you’re interested in learning an exciting, fun sport.”

As fencers improve, they will have the opportunity to compete. The BCAF has produced a number of national champions, some of whom teach in the program, and some younger BCAF students have gone on to fence in college.

Experienced fencers are also welcome, whether to brush up on their skills or get back into competition form.

Bucks County Academy of Fencing is celebrating over 42 years of training men and women in the classic art of fencing. Recreational and competition-grade classes taught by USAF certified coaches are open to anyone ages 8 and older. For information on BCAF visit www.bcaf.com or call 215-862-6112.

exceptional staff keeps members coming back. Families come to unwind, connect, and make memories. Members reminisce about mommy and me swim class, passing the deep-water test, the high dive, Fanny Fest, Float Night, Fido Float, and the ice cream truck.

Sarah Peters praises the FC staff. “It’s great to have so many older kids in our community serving as role models through swim instruction, lifeguarding, and management,” she says.

Laura Hoover values the affordability of FC for her family explaining, “Each year I price out the cost of camp for three kids, and it’s a no-brainer to come back to Fanny.” She also appreciates that going to FC is often a fun, unplanned, low-key playdate for her boys - when supplemented with snacks, a basketball, and a full tumbler of coffee.

In addition to FC Pool’s popular swim lesson program, its competitive swim and dive team is a sought-after experience. An essential component of this accolade is Sherry Petrakis,

President of the Parents of Fanny Chapman Swim and Dive Team Board. Petrakis and her team coordinate activities, meet for the 320 team athletes, make improvements from feedback, and represent FC Pool within the BuxMont league. She credits that “the families are so incredibly supportive and have a strong desire to grow the program.”

Adi Strigl’s daughters are passionate about being a part of the team. “They love their committed coaches, the team’s spirit, the adrenaline-induced meets. What we love most,” Strigl continues, “is how the entire family feels a part of the team, hanging out with the other families, volunteering at each meet, and the friendliness of the staff.”

As the community anticipates the opening of the FC Pool’s 96th season Memorial Day weekend, the Fanny Chapman Pool Board Members are committed to continuing the summer gold standard for generations of Doylestown families to come. They’ve created the Legacy Program that seeks memorials, bequests, and donations from the generous community.

“The pool today is financially independent and operates without any tax dollars,” explains Rob Purdy, Fanny Chapman Pool Board Member. “It is a community investment and after 100 years of use it’s necessary to create a fund whose primary purpose is to meet the near and long-term needs of the pool facilities.” Drew Sterner adds, “Endowing [FC]’s future assures that we are able to simultaneously maintain affordable memberships and the many programs and traditions that have contributed to its legacy.” Consider giving back to the fundamental summer staple that makes Doylestown, Doylestown. Visit the Fanny Chapman Pool website or contact pool manager, Drew Sterner.

FANNY CHAPMAN - continued from page

How To Pick The Best Camp For Your Child

Super Summer Ahead!

In Bucks County we are incredibly fortunate because we have an abundance of summer camps to choose from for our children. Whether you’re looking for a day or sleep-away camp, one that focuses on the performing arts, science, or whatever else your child is passionate about, it more than likely exists in your region.

In fact, the only downside to having so many options is that it can truly feel like an exhausting search to find exactly the right fit for your kids. We want them to be happy. We want them to feel comfortable. And, most of all, we want them to be safe. But how does a parent really know he or she is making the right choice?

Read on to find a wide range of information that will answer your checklist of questions in terms of how to best decipher the information in all of those brochures and how to make the most of an informational visit. You’ll have better peace of mind and, chances are, your kids will have one incredible summer.

Be Prepared

Before you start scheduling camp interviews, research all of the options that appeal most to your family, then weigh the pros and cons of each (you can even grade them on a points system if you like). After you’ve compiled a list in order of interest, start eliminating some. You don’t want to drive yourself crazy going on interviews for camps that aren’t really all that appealing to you. It’s a waste of your time and theirs.

Once you’ve ruled out camps that don’t meet your essential search criteria or

expectations, begin exploring the details of each option you like. Sometimes the filtering process yields too many camps to interview personally; sometimes it doesn’t yield enough. Adjust key variables, such as location and session length, to narrow or expand the number of options on the results page. Use the results page to go directly to camp websites.

Get Organized

Camp interviews may feel a bit tedious at times, especially depending on how many you plan on talking to, but they are so necessary in determining how your child might fit into the environment. Go into each interview armed with knowledge of your pros and cons so that you have your questions firmly planted in your mind. How does the camp convey who they really are and reflect the world they’ve created exclusively for a child’s benefit?

Camp seekers can learn so much from a close look at camp websites, brochures, photos, videos, FAQs, newsletters, social media and camper or parent testimonials. In fact, many camp websites are a gateway to most pieces of camp information on this list, from video content to downloadable brochures and forms, all reflecting the camp’s culture.

Camps are much more than lists of activities they offer; they are vibrant educational communities – and no two are exactly alike. There is probably not just one perfect camp for your child. More than one camp may turn out to be a great fit, given your search criteria, so the interviewing stage will most likely factor into your final decision and help you to pinpoint the camp. So, how do you decide between two (or a few camps) with

comparable activities, location, schedules, amenities and price?

Enough research will provide answers to your questions without you having to utter a single word. Camps try to anticipate what families need to know and provide this information online. You’ll want to use interview time to ask questions that haven’t already been answered – questions that explore the fit for your child.

Running low on time? Interviews with some camp head honchos may already be available online. You can also consult with friends who’ve previously met with the camp for information you never even realized you might want. Look for an interview with the example, you might see photos on the website or on Facebook showing the salad bar or a cabin group sitting around the table with food served family-style. This might spark a question about camp food and how your child’s dietary needs can be met. Or, combing through the part of a website developed exclusively for parents of overnight campers might enable you to understand the camp’s plan and suggestions for communicating with your camper. Perhaps reading the director’s blog from last summer or looking at newsletters might give you some insight into the camp’s philosophy and culture.

Be Your Child’s Best Advocate

You’re the expert on your child! What aspects of his personality might affect the camp fit? (Your child is shy and cautious in new situations, for instance. Or your child needs to have a certain amount of time to practice music, sports or academics.)

(courtesy American Camp Association)

TYPES OF CAMPS

DAY CAMPS typically serve children ages 3-15. Session lengths typically vary from one to eight weeks. Some camps offer up to ten weeks of programming. Before camp and after camp programs are offered for an additional fee at some day camps.

OVERNIGHT (also referred to as Resident or Sleep-away) Camps usually serve children ages 6-18. Campers stay at camp for one to eight weeks, depending on the camp’s session length.

GENERAL CAMPS offer a broad range of activities. Many provide campers with the opportunity to focus on one or a few areas while encouraging them to try a variety of others. It is sometimes possible to explore an activity or interest in depth within the context of the whole program.

TRIP & TRAVEL CAMPS involve outdoor exploration through active sports like biking, hiking, climbing and canoeing. Campers spend most of their time traveling and preparing to travel.

SPECIALTY CAMPS are based in day or resident settings. Popular options for specialization may include horseback riding, the arts, sports, computers, or travel. Programming revolves around intensive exposure to the specialty area. CAMPS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS serve specific clientele like children or adults with particular medical conditions, disabilities, or special needs. Some camps focus on campers who share very specific diagnoses, while others are geared to meet a broader array of needs at any one time. RELIGIOUSLY-AFFILIATED CAMPS offer religious education formally and informally. Review materials carefully for explanations of how religion influences a camp’s culture to find one with the balance that best matches your family’s own values and beliefs.

FAMILY CAMP SESSIONS include family members of all ages from grandparents to infants. Accommodations vary, as do program options and session length. The focus is on being together as a family—to learn, to relax, and to enjoy new experiences and adventures.

Coming Events

Come on out to Newtown this month for some fun events! Full of history and pride, this town has a lot to offer each and every day or the week.

Ongoing Newtown Farmers Market

2150 South Eagle Road in Newtown 9am - 6pm Contact: 215-860-8821

https://newtownfarmersmarket.com

Thursday • April 6

Chalk, Talk and Wine

Crossing Vineyards

6:30pm $45/person

A-Door-Able decor for your home

Create a chalk silk-screened welcome sign -- the perfect porch or entryway decor -- just in time for spring get-togethers. This guided experience with our friends from Chalk Couture includes all materials, choice of design, and a custom door sign created by you! Drink specials and light bites available for purchase from the bar. Reservations required. www.crossingvineyards.com

Tuesday • April 18

Awakening The Hidden Storyteller

The Newtown Theatre

7:00pm – 9:00pm Fee: $40 + $2.85

During the workshop, which is limited to 25 people, participants will enjoy a low-stress, fun-filled introduction to the essential elements of storytelling, story listening, and story creating. You’ll emerge with a new-found confidence in your ability to create compelling spoken stories from personal memories, traditional folklore, and pure imagination. No experience is necessary, just bring a playful spirit and a desire to uncover your natural storytelling ability. https://www.thenewtowntheatre.com

Thursday • April 20

Pairing Wine, Cheese & Charcuterie

Crossing Vineyards

7:00pm $40/person

Enjoy the ambience of the winery while you are guided through a tasting of ten wines. We can’t leave wine enough alone, so feast on a platter of artisanal cheese and cured meats along the way. After the tasting, stay a while at McAvoy’s Bar and order a glass of your favorite selection! Reservation required. https://www.crossingvineyards.com

Local Realtor Dave Marcolla Launches New Real Estate Brokerage in

Dave Marcolla, a veteran Realtor in the Newtown area with more than 20 years of sales, marketing and financial services experience, announces today the opening of his new real estate brokerage, Marcolla Realty at 444 South State Street in Newtown.

Newtown

create fans, not just clients.”

As a marketing professional for Fortune 50 corporations that included AT&T and Comcast, Marcolla saw firsthand the importance and impact of not just good customer service, but best-in-class customer service. Removing the guesswork for senior leadership as well as clients and vendors in the corporate world is another lesson that has contributed to Marcolla’s success in his second act as a Realtor. During his first year in real estate, Marcolla generated nearly $3 million in sales. At the close of 2022, Marcolla and the real estate group he led closed $78 million in transactions for properties in and around the Newtown, Bucks County area.

a certificate in strategic marketing from The Wharton School.

“In real estate and most other businesses, outstanding customer service is essential. I’ve always believed my clients should not only expect better — they should expect, and get, the best when it comes to advising them on one of their most substantial and personal assets: their home,” said Dave Marcolla, owner and broker of Marcolla Realty. “Real estate transactions can be stressful. My role as a real estate professional is to remove the headaches and stress of the real estate process for my clients, many of whom are busy professionals who can’t afford to be pulled away from managing their own businesses to manage the business of a home sale or purchase. That sensibility and attention to detail is what sets Marcolla Realty apart from others as we set out to

Easter Eggstravaganza at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley

April 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 2023

Meet & greet with the Easter Bunny, snap cute pics and enjoy a day of endless fun!

He has lived in — and restored — homes in Bucks County, PA, and Central New Jersey for more than 20 years. Marcolla is active in the local community as well, serving as chairman of the Newtown Business Association and chairman of the Board at the Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia. He also serves on the Bucks County Association of Realtors Board nominations committee. He scored the highest priced home sale of the year at Keller Williams Newtown in 2021 and, the following year he and his team were honored as the Newtown Business Association’s (NBA) Business of the Year.

Marcolla earned his bachelor’s in business administration and marketing from Bloomsburg University and an MBA from La Salle University. He is a graduate of the Princeton School of Real Estate and earned

Joining Marcolla to launch his brokerage are Realtors Melissa Watson and Peter Vogel. The brokerage is also currently hiring for additional sales roles. An official grand opening of the new office is currently planned for Spring 2023.

About Marcolla Realty

Marcolla Realty offers a high touch, bestin-class and experienced advisory approach to the buying and selling of distinctive residential properties in Bucks and Mercer counties. Built on principles refined by Founder Dave Marcolla over nearly two decades in marketing with Fortune 50 firms, Marcolla Realty is committed to providing an exceptional level of attention to detail and first-class, concierge-level service on every transaction. To learn more, visit www. marcollarealty.com.  *When

Newtown GO • SEE • DO

Senator Santarsiero and Representative Warren Announce State Funding to Improve Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety in Newtown

Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Perry Warren (D31) recently announced $192,594 in state funding for pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements along Frost Lane in Newtown Borough.

The award is a state Multimodal Transportation Fund grant through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which will be used to construct 1,230 linear feet of sidewalk to provide shared bicycle and pedestrian spaces on Frost Lane and the borough’s sidewalk network.

treacherous it can be. Thanks to this state grant, safety, and quality of life for cyclists, pedestrians, and, well, everyone in the area will be improved,” said Representative Warren. “Congratulations to Newtown Borough Council on this award; their commitment and hard work pays off for the entire community and beyond.”

Newtown Borough Council President Tara Grunde-McLaughlin added, “We are grateful to have been identified for this grant distribution, and I hope it yields wonderful results for the Borough.”

For more information about the Commonwealth Financing Authority and Multimodal Transportation Fund grants visit the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website.

Hometown Hero Banners To Honor

The Fallen In Newtown

Red, white and blue “Lest We Forget” banners honoring Newtown’s Hometown Heroes for their ultimate sacrifice will make their debut along historic State Street this spring.

Hero Banners honoring the county’s fallen soldiers have also adorned the lampposts around the Bucks County Administration building in Doylestown.

The Ned Maher Society is working closely with Newtown American Legion Post 440 and with the Newtown Historical Association in compiling the names of the deceased service members.

and Council Rock graduate.

Raffle tickets are being sold at $10 each and can be purchased at Countryside and at Ned’s Cigar store.

The Ned Maher Society is named in memory of Edward “Ned” Maher who opened Ned’s Cigar Store in 1940 on South State Street and operated it for only two years before being called to duty during World War II.

Maher went off to war and never came home. The 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division was killed in January 1944 at the Battle of Anzio.

His banner will hang among the 22 Hometown Hero Banners that will debut this spring along State Street.

Others will honor Morell Smith, the town’s only casualty during World War I; several Revolutionary War soldiers killed during a raid at the Bird In Hand; a Civil War soldier; World War II soldiers; and a larger group of hometown boys killed in Vietnam.

Mayor Recognizes Newtown Landmark On 250th Anniversary

“This project will increase the mobility of walkers and runners by expanding the Borough’s existing sidewalk network, better connecting Frost Lane residents to the businesses in the Borough,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I was happy to advocate for this grant for Newtown Borough and look forward to seeing these improvements implemented as part of the Borough’s continued efforts to advance pedestrian and cyclist safety.”

“I live near Frost Lane, and I have seen firsthand both how widely used the road is by pedestrians and bicyclists and how

The Newtown Borough Council gave its nod last month to the Ned Maher Society to purchase and display the two-sided banners between May 1 and July 31 in the town’s business district.

The banners will spotlight 22 Newtown residents who lost their lives fighting for their country over the years beginning with the Revolutionary War and up to and including the Global War on Terrorism.

Matt Arlen, the manager of Ned’s Cigar Store, came up with the idea after seeing similar banners on display in small towns across Pennsylvania. Hometown

In addition, they are raising funds to pay for the banners, which will hang from every other lamp along the street between Washington Avenue and Centre and possibly extend to nearby blocks over time.

To help raise funds for the project, the society is raffling off a crocheted American flag with the silhouette of soldiers now on display in the windows of Countryside Gallery and Custom Framing and Design.

The flag was created and donated by Jen Baller of Hazelton who wanted to help after hearing about the project from her partner, Don Mason, a U.S. Army veteran

Not many businesses in Newtown Borough can match the history of the Temperance House, one of the borough’s oldest and most iconic institutions.

To celebrate the Temp’s 250th year of operation, Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke recently paid a special visit to The Temp to present the building’s current owner, Kathy Buczek, with a proclamation marking the occasion.

“We ask that the residents of Newtown Borough raise a toast to this iconic building and to join us in this celebration and recognition of this historic milestone,” reads the proclamation.

Rich Fekete of Countryside Gallery and Custom Frame Design shows off a banner honoring First Lieutenant Daniel Hennessy who was killed during the Vietnam War

SPRING TIPS FOR HEALTHY GARDENS 6

tasty tweets

How to Naturally Dye Easter Eggs

Recommended ingredients: Eggs, canned beet juice, canned cherries, blueberries, mulberries and raspberries, red and yellow onions, plums, grape juice, red cabbage, carrots, lemons and oranges, coffee, tea, red wine, spinach, distilled white vinegar

Even though we’ve included a list of recommended ingredients, this process requires a lot of exploration and creativity. Each color can come from several sources, so you can decide which ingredients to purchase and how much of each to use. But, once you get started, you’ll realize you can pretty much achieve any color you want with the right food.

Red/pink: Canned beet juice, canned cherries in syrup, raspberries, red onion skin, red plums

Blue: Purple grape juice, red cabbage leaves, blueberries, mulberries, blackberries

Orange: Yellow onion skin, carrot peels

Yellow: Lemon and orange peels, green tea, carrot tops

Brown: Coffee, black tea

By Maura Guzek of Peaceful Farm Special to The Cardinal

There’s nothing like the first warm weekend of spring. You throw on your gardening gloves, dust off the gardening tools, and greet your neighbors out on the lawn. Everyone enjoys those first warm days emerging from winter hibernation.

If you find yourself wanting to spruce up your gardens this month, I have a few simple tips to offer. After completing several spring clean ups for our clients with Peacefield Farm Lawn and Tree Service, a local mowing and tree removal company, I am happy to share what I learned.

As Doylestown residents and parents of two children under five, my husband Rob and I understand the time constraints many of us face. Here are six simple steps you can take to get your lawn and gardens ready for the summer.

• Nip weeds and dead leaves in the bud: Spring is great time to pull out weeds before they go to seed and get a stronghold in your garden. Additionally, using a rake or leaf blower to remove stray leaves from the lawn, bushes, and garden beds can make an immediate improvement. Wet and matted leaves prevent grass growth and can make garden beds look drab.

• Prune rose bushes. “When the forsythia bloom, it’s time to prune” is an easy rule of thumb to help remember when to start pruning rose bushes. Grab a sharp pair of garden shears. Clean them with rubbing alcohol beforehand to avoid spreading any disease. Remove dead or diseased branches, as well as broken or crossing stems. Then, at the base, remove any dead canes and continue pruning until you have three or four strong stems left. It may feel like you’re ruining your bush, but in reality, you’re forcing it to grow stronger.

• Slit-seed grass or bare spots in your lawn to ensure a lush lawn all summer. If you’re the DIY type, check out a local rental

vendor like Sunbelt Rentals to borrow a slit seeder for the weekend. However, you’re likely to get a better outcome if you leave this task to the professionals who have the techniques to ensure great germination. Feel free to give us a call at Peacefield Farm Lawn and Tree (267481-4501) for a free estimate.

• Fertilize azaleas and rhododendrons with Hollytone. Hollytone is an organic and natural fertilizer that is available at any local garden store. It can be applied in early spring and again in the late fall to any acidloving plants, such as blueberries, camellias, rhododendrons, evergreens, and hydrangeas. Be sure to read the bag for specific instructions on how to apply based on the plant.

• Mind your Trees. Winter can be a rough time for trees, as high winds and cold temperatures take their toll, particularly on trees that are already impaired with canker or insect issues. Take stock of the condition of your trees and check for broken branches or areas where that might benefit from pruning or limbing. For trees beyond repair, consider proper removal to open your yard to more sunlight and reduce the risks of falling trees during summer storms.

• Add annuals to your gardens and flower baskets for beautiful color all summer long. After the last frost date - May 15th in this area - it’s time to start planting. Try companion planting bright marigolds in your vegetable garden. Add begonias and impatiens to shady spots, and fill your flower boxes with “thrillers, spillers, and fillers.” Come check out our family farm’s annual plant sale on the weekends of May 6, 13, 20, and 27 for a great selection of plants, planters, and hanging baskets. You can find our little farm five minutes outside of Doylestown proper at 85 Cherry Lane.

Peacefield Farm Lawn and Tree Service, established in 2017, offers professional lawn mowing, landscape, and tree services. Their family farmstand offers organically grown tomatoes and organic eggs. Their annual Spring plant sale has become a favorite of avid gardeners and hobbyists alike.

Purple: Red Zinger tea, red wine, red onion skins

Green: Spinach leaves, red onions — when combined with vinegar, this creates a gorgeous jade green color

THE PROCESS OF NATURALLY DYING EGGS:

1. Hardboil your eggs and allow to cool.

2. Meanwhile, finely chop or grate your ingredients. Place those materials in a pot with water. You’ll want enough water to come one inch above the material in the bottom of the pot.Note: If you’re using coffee or tea, steep or brew with a traditional brewing method. Since you’re brewing it instead of diluting it in the water, the color will be richer, because there is less water to dilute it. You can also skip this step if you’re using berries. If you are using berries, either mash them or juice them, then use the fresh liquid.

3. Boil your ingredients. There is no set time for this. The longer you boil, the richer your color. But of course, make sure you keep a close eye

on the boiling liquid, and don’t leave the pot to boil dry.

4. When finished boiling, strain the leftover material out of the dye using a mesh sieve or cheesecloth.

5. Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of vinegar for every cup of colored liquid — for example, 2 cups of dye would require 4 to 6 teaspoons of vinegar.

6. Pour the colored liquid into a container deep enough to allow you room to submerge an egg.

7. Place egg in the dye and allow to set. The longer you leave it in the container, the richer the color will be. You can even choose to leave them for hours or overnight if you want a darker, more vibrant egg.

The great thing about this method is that you can really get creative. Play around with how much of an ingredient you boil, how long you boil it and even combine colors to create other colors. The sky is the limit, and you can feel good about using chemical-free ingredients around your family. Naturally dyeing Easter eggs is not only fun and creative, but it can leave you with peace of mind if you’re planning to eat the eggs after the fact.

tasty tweets

Let’s Drink to Spring

By Trish Klein Special to The Cardinal

The change of seasons is upon us. The sun is shining, snow melting and the birds are chirping. Spring is in the air. It’s that time of year to put-aside the Hot Toddy and Hot Cider cocktails from your cocktail collection. Don’t worry, they’ll be back soon enough.

Transitioning from winter to spring at the bar and at home is just as important as changing our clothes in our closets. People are naturally ready for the upcoming changes. Patio furniture is coming out, the weather is getting warmer and many of us are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends. What better way to catch up than over a delicious spring cocktail.

Fantastic ingredients are starting to grow. Berries are coming into season and are a great way to enhance spring cocktails. At the same time, fresh herbs such as mint, basil and cilantro are sprouting from the ground.

These ingredients add an element of brightness and freshness to your seasonally spruced up cocktails. The time has arrived to introduce these light, fresh and crisp ingredients into your cocktail repertoire.

Here’s how! Spring cocktails express the lighter fresher side of the ingredients we use. Think of a sparkling spritz, fresh

and fruity sangria, the classic refreshing mule or a mint julep. All warm weather favorites. Think color! While winter provides us with the deep warm hues of the old fashioned, and the mulled wine, it’s time to bring in clean, clear, pink and bright orange sunshine to our glasses.

The spritz, it’s low-alcohol and you can incorporate many different fresh ingredients. Fresh strawberries, planter box mint, a splash of house made simple syrup are muddled right in the glass,

Spinach: Popeye Knows Best

By Nicolas and Stephen Servis The Cardinal Contributing Writers

We all have seen the iconic Popeye pop his big can of spinach and then go on to conquer the world, right? It seems the older that we get, the more we start to understand that Popeye really had it figured out. When we were growing up, just like most children, we never wanted to eat our greens. We would have a waiting contest with our parents over leaving the dinner table if our plates were not clean.

A little older, and a little wiser now, we are so grateful that our parents made us stay and eat our greens. Now we find such enjoyment in eating these crazy nutrientfilled little leaves. So, mom and dad, we thank you!

Shopping around for some really good and hardy spinach can be a little bit tricky. It seems by the time we get home from the grocery store and open up the container of greens, the middle is all wet and soggy and smells gross. Thank you Big Food for wasting my money.

Our absolute go-to is at a beautiful farm

located right in Perkasie, PA. Farmer Dylan from Clean Green Growers, one of Bucks Counties’ newest certified organic farms is the place to get all of your lettuce and spinach fills. Dylan does a lot of outdoor spinach growing, which helps the plants develop more nutrients and makes the leaves “harder.” That means they can withstand harsh weather. It also gives the spinach an incredible mouthfeel and robust flavor.

If you are not somebody who typically enjoys eating your greens, let me try and persuade you a tad. Spinach by itself has high sources of zeaxanthin and carotenoids which help the body flush out free radicals. Easy translation: spinach helps prevent cancer. Spinach also has anti-inflammatory properties, is good for your bones, and your eyes. It can also help aid in weight loss. Knowing all of these things, sign me up for a big ol’ heaping plate of spinach!

We understand that eating a bunch of raw spinach, to most, isn’t an ideal meal. The beauty of it is the fact that this green can be used in an infinite number of ways. A super quick and easy way to get your nutrition is by making a spinach pesto. It is

add ice, Lillet Rose aperitif and a nice crisp Prosecco. The light crisp look of the cocktail shines through on the palate.

Imagine sitting on the patio with friends feeling the fresh spring air blowing and the warmth of the sun shining down. Sounds like Spring to me!

Another way to bring spring into your cocktails is to look to beer. Craft beers are seasonal just as much as cocktail ingredients. Most seasonal brews are driven by seasonal ingredients. Winter beers are dark and complex. Spring and summer beers are light and refreshing. Look for, Belgian Wit’s and Hefeweizens. They have a hazy spiciness that is full of flavor. You can up that freshness by adding a wedge of orange.

Another beer style to think about is a Hazy IPA. They are also known as New England Style Indian Pale Ales or Juicy IPAs. These brews are packed with fruit and citrus flavors and smooth and soft bodied on the palate!

Visit your local brewery. Take some time look at what’s growing in the garden. Take a trip to the local farmer’s market and you’ll see it’s easy to introduce freshness to your spring cocktails. Cheers!

Trish Klein tends bar at The Marion Hose Bar located at 16 W. Broadway in Jim Thorpe. For more visit www.marionhosebar.com

Egg Decorating Kits to Make Egg Dyeing Easy

There’s more than one way to dye an egg. To meet various needs and interests, PAAS offers a variety of kits, including:

• Traditional Kits - Deluxe, Classic and Color Cup kits allow families to create a full spectrum of colored eggs.

• Craft Kits - Craft kits help users create their own one-of-a-kind works of art, such as color whipping eggs, adding sparkles or speckles, or creating neon tie-dyed eggs.

• Eggsperiment - Active Volcano - This kit allows users to dye eggs by lowering them into an overflowing volcano.

• Craft-A-Scene - These kits, which come in multiple versions, offer not only dyes and decorations to create character eggs, but also different backdrops that can be used in stop motion movies using a free app.

• Themed Eggs - These include Dino Eggs, Forest Friends, Rides and Superheroes kits that allow families to bring characters to life. Source: PAAS

so quick to make and will dazzle your kids or spouse who is refusing to eat spinach. They will not even be able to tell.

Spinach Pesto:

For this recipe, all you need is a food processor.

• Take 2 cups of spinach, ½ tbsp of pine nuts (or substitute with your favorite nut), ¼ cup of parmesan cheese, and 1 garlic clove. Place in the food processor. If you’d like,

cut up all the ingredients first to make the blending a little easier.

• Proceed to turn on the processor and slowly start adding ½ cup of oil to emulsify the mixture together.

• Season with salt and pepper and place in a jar for up to ten days.

We would love to hear what you make with your pesto. Whenever you see us around Doylestown, let’s talk pesto!

Local Spotlight with Danielle: Meet Gym Owner Mike Sobczak of Training For Warriors

By Danielle Gannon The Cardinal Contributing Writer

Iwouldlike to introduce to you Training for Warriors, aka TFW owned and operated by Mike Sobczak.

TFW is a local gym right outside of Doylestown in a little shopping center in Plumsteadville. Sure, you may be thinking to yourself.. ok, there are a lot of gyms. Cross training, weight resistance, circuit training, hot yoga, dance gyms, etc… and there certainly are! However, do you know the person behind it all? If so, do they have the tenacity, stride, and spirit that you want to lead you?

I always felt that energy flows from the top down. Any corporate job or small business I have worked for, to the stores I shop in. it’s the leader who sets the tone. Typically this is the owner. Especially in our small mom and pop land of Bucks County. The owner is likely the one there every day, opening the door and running the show.

When I walked into TFW, I met Mike. Mike, husband to Krista and father to Luca, 7 and Olivia, 2 is full of passion. His energy just lights up the entire space. I opened the door and he was “on”! Mike greeted me in a very authentic manner. He was happy to discuss what he did and more importantly, happy to engage and truly listen to what I had to say. He was present. He was kind, compassionate, and strong-willed.

“Culture and coaching is what makes this gym different,” states Sobczak. The 5,000-sq-ft space was lined with all you would expect to see in a functioning gym. Weights, bands, benches, and pull-up bars. What it had that I found unique was soul. I felt the true soul of the people that worked out there when I looked at the pictures of team events. When I observed the little “gifts” clients had handmade Mike over the years gracing the shelf. When I saw the little journals that they fill out each day when they come in.

Growing up in Morris County, New Jersey, Mike always dreamed of getting into law enforcement. Generations before him took this path and Mike felt the calling to do so as well. He went to Del Val for Criminal Justice, graduated, and had plans to take this path. An injury set him back and added a staggering amount of weight to his body. Sobczak was deflated. He was forced to take a different career path in behavioral health and turned to other forms of inspiration. Through a turn of events, Mike found the TSW brand. He relied on it for inspiration and was at the time working PT as a trainer at a gym. He wasn’t surrounded by who he needed to be to let this fire out. So, as any man with a true passion for life does, he went out and created it on his own.

Nine years ago, in March 2014, he opened in a firehouse. He went all in and rented a 2500-sqft space, working full time at his other job, but feeling this was his true calling. A year later, he moved into a warehouse and in 2018, he moved to Plumsteadville.

Check his website out— I was truly impressed. It is full of inspiring photos and blogs, written by Mike himself. I love how he spotlights his clients. Telling their story, in how anyone, at any age, can do whatever they want to do. Limits are mindset. Open your mind and your life will follow. Mike and I had some awesome ah-ha moments and I felt the connection of like minds growing and expanding. Life is what you make of it. Mike is a prime example of this. His life took a turn for what some could have said was for the worst, but he took that turn and made a whole new path. Who’s to say this wasn’t the intention of the highest power all along?

“I want to be a role model. Not a copy,” Mike Sobczak.

You can connect with Mike at: Visit him on IG @tfwdoylestown https://tfw-doylestown.com

5776 Easton Road in Plumsteadville

He’s the real deal! I was incredibly inspired, and not on a superficial body level. On a whole life level. I wish you and your family all the best Mike.

Danielle Gannon is a local Bucks County entrepreneur. Mom to three, she is co-owner of Organnons Natural Market and Founder & Managing Director of Local Spotlight with Danielle. Her passion is connecting people and creating community. Residing in Ivyland, writing has always been a passion of hers. Find her on IG @localspotlightwithdanielle

I n Kindness Korner we want to hear about random acts of kindness you’ve experienced recently. This can be acts from a stranger, a business owner or employee, a teacher, a child . . . anyone. Send your story to jess@doylestowncardinal.com. Please include a picture of the kind person if possible (with their permission).

KINDNESS KORNER Interview with Thomas Brunt

By Edie Weinstein

The Cardinal Contributing Writer

Q: How would you describe what you do?

A: For my entire career, I have worked in many aspects of video production, mostly in remote sports broadcasting. I did everything from camerawork to editing, to technical engineering, nationwide and internationally. Recently, I decided to go back to my roots in local production. I use my creative and technical skills to help clients with videorelated technology.

Q: You are a Doylestown native. What keeps you anchored to this community?

A: Over the years, I helped cover many parts of the community - local politicians, artists, organizations, and events. Being exposed to so much of what goes on in this community - and to the people doing it - had a big effect on me. Through that, I became fascinated with Doylestown’s history and began studying it. It really is amazing just how much Doylestown has contributed to our region, nation, and even internationally. It’s very unique in that way.

Q: What drew you to photojournalism?

A: It all started with the local cable company in Doylestown. “HomeVue Cable TV” had a local studio. In 1985, I was 16 and I saw an ad looking for high school volunteers. I have already had a strong interest in electronics and technology. I met the staff and they showed me around. I felt so intimidated by all the complicated-looking equipment that I almost walked out. But I didn’t, and soon found out it was my calling.

Thomas Brunt

Q: You and your video camera are a perpetual presence at nearly every event that takes place in Doylestown. What do you enjoy most about covering such diverse activities?

A: A few things. Being fond of history, I feel strongly about documenting it for future generations. It also feels like a nostalgic throwback to my early career when I would cover some of the same events for cable. Now it’s on Facebook and YouTube. When they are large events with large crowds, I feel the adrenaline rush of traversing the crowds. I love seeing people react to “being on TV.” And I love reading comments under the videos, and seeing lots of views, especially from people who now live elsewhere but love seeing their hometown. I love that.

Q: What role do you play in Discover Doylestown?

A: Currently I am on the main board. We meet monthly and discuss the overall plans of the group. Many events and features in town happen through us. Arts Fest, the hanging flower baskets, tree lighting, and pride festival, among others. There are sub-committees for the bigger events. I am also part of Winterfest and I help to organize tree lighting and holiday-related events. I would say that everyone involved in Discover Doylestown is a “chronic community volunteer.” We do it just for the love of the town, and to do something that people enjoy and enhance the place we all live.

Q: What does kindness mean to you?

A: I think it’s having empathy and understanding of what other people are dealing with. It can be as simple as “treating others as you would like to be treated.”

Q: Please share your favorite ways of spreading kindness.

A: For myself, I seem to gravitate toward people who have a harder time. Since I have become involved in homelessness issues, I started by just simply acknowledging them as fellow human beings deserving of the same dignity we expect. I learned about “blessing bags” and would give some out in my travels. I would make sure to ask them their names. Seemingly little acts like that can mean a lot to a person who feels ignored much of the time.

Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW is a licensed social worker, psychotherapist, interfaith minister, journalist, speaker, PR, and marketing professional. She is also the grandmother of two wonderful children, whom she is teaching to be kind.

Mike Sobczak of Training For Warriors

BOOK REVIEW: Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

By Lily Appleby The Cardinal Editorial Intern

As springtime continues, I have found myself feeling inclined, alongside the weather, to embrace the spirit of change. Whilst I’d still like to primarily reignite the flame of nameworthy classics of 19th-century literary fiction, this month’s review focuses on a book from a genre I’m relatively unfamiliar with. I’d like to introduce: Brighton Rock, by Graham Greene.

Graham Greene, born October 2, 1904, in Hertfordshire, England, was both an esteemed writer and journalist. Greene managed to bridge the gap between introspective literary fiction and entertaining thrillers. That, in part, is what made him such a popular author during his time. Though Greene’s more popular works include The Man Within, published in 1929, and The Power and the Glory,

published in 1940, Brighton Rock is not a novel to be overlooked. A 1930s murder thriller set in coastal Britain, Brighton Rock is the first novel in which Greene explored the themes of morality in relation to Catholicism and class along with the possibility of what it means to be truly evil.

Published in 1938, Brighton Rock follows the story of Pinkie, a seventeenyear-old gang member with a disturbing lack of compassion. After the death of the boss, he takes the role of mob leader upon himself. Although the police might overlook his crimes, Pinkie and the rapidly decreasing members of his mob face suspicion from Ida Arnold. The selfappointed detective just happens to be in the right place at the right time.

Exhibiting moral and physical conflicts that seem to lurk around every corner, Greene manages to reel his audience in with the complex relationships between dynamic characters. Whilst Brighton Rock

is far from a light-hearted genre fiction thriller, it is able to avoid the easy fate of becoming a bore to read.

Whether you’re looking for an exhilarating thriller or an analytical commentary on what it means to be morally right and wrong, Brighton Rock is sure to satisfy. For those who have watched Peaky Blinders, or read and enjoyed novels by the likes of Chuck Palahniuk and Bret Easton Ellis, it’s time to add Brighton Rock to your reading list.

*Important note for American readers: Brighton Rock refers to a British seaside treat that is ultimately a cylindrical stick of sugar candy. The inside of the ‘rock’ is embedded with the name of whatever seaside the rock is being sold by – in this case, Brighton. I’ll refrain from sharing its relation to the novel, however, a fair warning is necessary, as you’ll likely not feel tempted by the sweet treat if you ever come across it after reading this novel.

Library Corner: As The Page Turns

Friends of Doylestown Library Hosts Three Spring Programs

The Friends of the Doylestown Library – a local non-profit organization supporting the Doylestown Library – is hosting three programs this spring, offering fun for all ages.

‘What’s It Worth’ Workshop and Appraisals, April 11

If you’ve always wondered whether that family heirloom is valuable, Mike Ivankovich can help you.

On Tuesday, April 11, the host of a popular radio program will reveal what your personal treasures are worth, during a workshop and in-person appraisal program, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Admission to the program is $5 per person, and each participant may bring one item for appraisal for an additional $10, payable on site by cash, check or Venmo. Participants must preregister by sending an email to: friendsofdoylestownlibrary@gmail.com

Appraisal items must be carried in by the participant.

Community Book Sale, April 22

All genres of gently-used books, including newer fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, in hardback and paperback, will be offered at the Friends Community Book Sale, Saturday, April 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most books will sell for $2 each, with children’s books priced at three for $1.

Reading to the Dogs, May 6

The popular Reading to the Dogs children’s program will conclude its spring season with two sessions on Saturday, May 6 and June 3, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The program, in partnership with Comfort Caring Canines Therapy Dogs, Inc. and Roxy Therapy Dogs, allows young readers to read out loud to a nonjudgmental audience of certified canines, helping to boost confidence and spark of love of reading.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and preregistration is strongly recommended (walk-ins will be admitted only if space is available). To preregister, send an email, specifying number of children and arrival time (10:00, 10:20, 10:40, or 11:00), to: friendsofdoylestownlibrary@gmail.com

All three programs will be held in the Pearl Buck Room of the Doylestown Library Center, 150 S. Pine St., Doylestown.

Proceeds from the appraisal and book sale events support Doylestown Library programs, equipment and materials, such as the Summer Quest and Reading to the Dogs children’s programs, the recently-installed interactive light board in the children’s area, and the monthly Book Page distributed free at the library.

Bucks County Free Library

Upcoming Talks

Tuesday, April 4 at 7 PM – Kate Beaton

Bestselling cartoonist and graphic novelist will discuss her graphic memoir, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, which chronicles her time living and working in Alberta’s oil patch.

Thursday, April 27 at 8 PM – William Kent Krueger

Bestselling author William Kent Krueger will introduce the newest book in his Cork O’Connor series – Fox Creek – and discuss some of his other popular titles.

• 150 South Pine Street Doylestown, PA 18901

• 215-348-9081

• https://buckslib.org

Carter Antonucci, of Doylestown, and Izzy Skarbek, of Chalfont, take turns reading to Axel, while Axel’s handler, Bob Haney, and Carter’s mom, Nicole Antonucci, enjoy hearing the kids read.

Benefits and Sources of Magnesium

Trimester Fit Body: Strength and Confidence through Pregnancy and Beyond

Meghan Rosenfeld

By Ariel Mann

The Cardinal Contributing Writer

Magnesium is one of the most crucial minerals our bodies need. It’s estimated that about half of the US population is not getting enough of it. Yikes! Let’s talk about why it’s important and how to get more of it in your diet.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 different biochemical reactions within our bodies. Some of the essential functions include blood pressure regulation, blood sugar control, transmitting nerve impulses, healthy muscle tissue support, energy production, and bone health.

Magnesium can also help with depression and anxiety, sleep quality, migraine headaches, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and athletic performance.

Food sources rich in magnesium include

green leafy vegetables, bananas, nuts, avocados, seeds, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish (like salmon), and dark chocolate.

The recommended intake of magnesium is 420mg/day for adult males and 320mg/ day for adult females. Aim to get your magnesium from food sources and add in a quality supplement, if necessary. Recommendations on intake will vary based on health status and lifestyle so if you’re unsure how much you should be taking consult your medical professional.

Ariel Mann is a nurse turned health coach. Her goal is to help people take charge of their health with realistic changes and improve their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. She loves helping people love their bodies and live their best and healthiest lives. Check healthbyariel.com to learn more and to schedule a consultation.

By Natalya Bucuy

The Cardinal Managing Editor

Afew years ago, personal trainer, Meghan Rosenfeld, who lived in Los Angeles, saw a need that she knew she could fulfill. She noticed that many pregnant women and new mothers struggled to find a workout program that fit their changing and healing bodies. And so, Rosenfeld set out to help.

She received a pre and postnatal corrective exercise specialist certification and began working with women in local LA parks. “I became someone women came to when they didn’t feel comfortable in a traditional gym setting,” she said. Then the pandemic happened. California’s strict lockdown policies prevented Rosenfeld from continuing her personal training sessions. And so, she and her family decided to move to Doylestown, her hometown. Here, she wanted to continue her practice. After some searching for a perfect fit, she discovered a studio space on the first floor of the Lenape Hall. In October 2022, she opened Trimester Fit Body. Since then she’s been offering pregnancy and

postpartum personal training sessions oneon-one and in small groups.

In her practice, Rosenfeld strives to support women during and after their pregnancies. She focuses on pelvic floor health, diaphragmatic breathing, and strength training. Her unique approach offers training that helps boost the physical and mental strength mothers and mothersto-be need. It helps them reconnect with their bodies and find and maintain their confidence and self-esteem. Rosenfeld prides herself on being hands-on with each client. She wants each woman to walk away from the class with relevant and individualized tips.

“I’m so excited to be able to bring my business back to my hometown,” Rosenfeld says. “It gives me a sense of giving back. It’s so fulfilling to share my knowledge to support women. I love seeing women get confidence and clarity, and feel good in their own skin. Seeing them grow is so rewarding.”

For more information, visit trimesterfitbody.com and visit the beautiful Trimester Fit studio at 5 S. Main St, Suite 105.

Second Annual Warminster Food Bank Donation Dash

5K Run & Walk Set for May 6

Making Earth-Friendly Choices: One Local Woman’s Path with Shaklee

By Dana Roberts The Cardinal Contributing Writer

ForSandy Rowshan, a Wrightstown resident and longstanding member of the local community, a commitment to celebrating the Earth began over 30 years ago. That’s when she became a representative of Shaklee, a “green” product company.

Since its inception in 1956, Shaklee has strived to offer vitamins, nutrition supplements, clean beauty, and green home products. The company carries a history of innovation driven by science. Shaklee offers nontoxic and sustainably-sourced cleaning options that are always safe, always green, and always work, Rowshan says. The first company in the world to be climate neutral, Shaklee has planted two million trees and is committed to planting ten million more.

Each Shaklee’s Get Clean Kit keeps 108 lbs of packaging waste from landfills and eliminates 248 lbs of greenhouse gas. Shaklee meets each purchase of a kit by planting a tree in the purchaser’s honor.

The Branch Fitness Second Annual Warminster Food Bank Donation Dash

5K Run & Walk will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9-11 a.m. (rain or shine) at Warminster Community Park, 1100 Veterans Way, Warminster, PA. The cost is $30.00 and the run will be a timed and sanctioned 5K race. The cost for the fun run and walk is $15. Participants for both the 5K run and walk will receive an event T-Shirt. To register, visit: https://runsignup. com/Race/PA/Warminster/WarminsterFoodBank5kFunRunDonationDash.

The deadline to register online is May 4, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Proceeds from the Warminster Food Bank Donation Dash 5K Run & Walk will benefit the Warminster Food Bank, which serves over 650 families per month in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. 95 percent of donations go towards providing to food to families in the community. Despite it being a rainy day, last year’s race had 125 participants and it raised $11,000. “We were looking for an event that would help raise funds to support our mission,” said Mike Cerino, Warminster Food Bank Director. “We decided on a 5K run and walk, since it would be a fun event for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Last year’s run and walk was a resounding success, even in the rain, and we’re hoping for a bigger turnout this year”

For those who can’t participate but want to help, monetary donations are accepted and sponsorship opportunities are available for area businesses. To make a donation or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Brian Foedisch at 267-307-0948 or via email at mail@warminsterfoodbank. org. The deadline to become a sponsor is April 15.

About the Warminster Food Bank

The Warminster Food Bank is a 501c3 organization that provides food to people in need in the Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The Warminster Food Bank serves more than 650 families each month with food donated by individuals and businesses. Donations and volunteers are always welcome. To learn more, go to https://www.warminsterfoodbank.org.

Shaklee Cleaning products are safe, powerful, and wallet-smart. They’re never tested on animals. In 1960, Shaklee introduced Basic H, one of the first 100% Biodegradable nontoxic all-purpose cleaners. The Germ off Plus wipes clean and disinfect household surfaces in just 5 minutes for any room in the house. The convenient norinse disinfectant wipe works on all hard, nonporous surfaces and best of all kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. The wipes are bleachfree, phosphate-and fragrance-free and kill the COVID-19 Virus in one minute. The laundry products are easy on your clothes, your machine, and your wallet.

History serves as a testament to the power of Shaklee. In the 1970s, a remarkable service project resulted in the saving of a U.S. lake. Lake Conesus, in New York State, was seriously suffering after bearing the wear of harmful toxic chemicals. In collaboration with the Boy Scouts, Shaklee Laundry products were delivered to every home around the lake resulting in the recovery of the lake. Life returned to what had been a dead lake. This is an account that gives Sandy great peace of mind; that she is working with a company that cares and truly can make a difference.

Sandy Rowshan

For Sandy, caring extends also to the local community. Sandy started a Meetup, “Bucks County Spiritual Community” in 2015, which now has over 350 members. The meetup addresses the unification of all mankind with principles from The Baha’i Faith, especially important as diversity consciousness around the world increases. Sandy became a member of The Baha’i Faith as a teenager. She has also served the larger community with Charity Yoga and Ministeriums. Sandy is a certified yoga instructor and massage therapist.

In honor of Earth Day Sandy hopes that others make the same choice and decide to honor the earth by choosing products that will care for it. Let’s work together and Go Green with Get Clean to make the planet greener with small steps locally. To learn more about Shaklee products, you can reach out to Sandy at https://pws.shaklee.com/sandra/.

The second annual Warminster Food Bank Donation Dash 5K Run & Walk will take place (rain or shine) on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9-11 a.m. at Warminster Community Park 1100 Veterans Way, Warminster. Proceeds from the Warminster Food Bank Donation Dash 5K Run & Walk will benefit the Warminster Food Bank, which serves over 650 families per month in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

What is it Like to Live with Autism?

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we got a first-person perspective from two Central Bucks students, currently enrolled in the Connections Program. We’re grateful to Max and Lucas for sharing their experience of living with autism.

Max Austin

However, as I got older, it was important for me to “blend in” and not be seen as different. In my experience, I’m told that I might miss social cues and I may need things explained to me more than once. I am grateful for all the help I received in Elementary through High School and as well as being in the Connections program. Ever since I joined Connections, I am grateful for all the friends that I have made.

Right now, I hold a job at a local grocery store. I’m also studying for my permit, and I am hoping soon I will be able to drive. I’m going to be doing some different job shadowing to learn about different careers. I want to use this time in Connections to figure out what I want my career to be. I also have a goal of living on my own or with a roommate. I am truly grateful to Connections for helping me achieve my goals.

My name is Max Austin, and I am 19 years old. I graduated last year, and I had the opportunity to be in a transition program. The program is called Connections which is through Central Bucks and the goal of the program is to make you more independent. Some of my interests are playing video games and hanging out with my friends and family.

A little bit of my background is that I have a twin sister. We were born premature and spent five weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. I experienced some developmental delays growing up and received occupational and speech therapy when I was younger. When I was about five years old, my parents noticed some differences between my sister and me and had me see a developmental pediatrician. I was diagnosed with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder which is a form of Autism. Growing up, I never realized any differences between myself and other kids.

Here are some of the experiences that Connections has taught me and living with my disability. One of the big experiences I have learned is disclosing my disability at work. At first, I didn’t know if I wanted to because I didn’t know if my coworkers and boss would treat me differently. After talking to my boss and telling him about my disability, he said that he doesn’t treat me differently than my coworkers and he would help me along the way. It felt good to disclose my disability and know that no one would treat me differently. Another big experience is that we’ve learned about renting an apartment and what you need to have and buy when you move into one. We took a roommate quiz and when I got the results there were some things I could improve on and some good things, too. After taking that quiz, I know I still need to learn what responsibilities come along the way of having a roommate.

Living with my disability has been a challenge but it’s also been a gift. I sometimes wonder if I didn’t have a disability would my life have been the same? My life has taken me in a new direction and I’m glad that I have a disability because of all the support I get and how it’s helping me move on with my life in a new direction. I also like to think of Autism as not a disability but as a different ability.

Hello, Doylestown! My name is Lucas Kuriger, and I live in the Doylestown area. I was in the class of 2020, and I graduated from Central Bucks West. I am currently in a transition program at CB that is for students with disabilities and helps us transition from high school into the real world. I have a desk job as a Logistics coordinator, at a company named Jillamy and I am currently taking a few classes at Bucks County Community College. I am also good at magic, and enjoy running, and walking. I was diagnosed with Autism when I was only twenty-seven months, and my diagnosis was PDD/NOS. Overall, even though having Autism can be challenging, not everything about having it is bad. One thing that I have struggled with as an autistic, and still do, is that I have a

hard time understanding what people say if they talk too quickly. This can be really stressful at times, especially if the nature of the situation I’m in is rushed. This can be frustrating for me also because I want to understand what the person is saying, but I cannot. I may have to ask the person to repeat the statement a few times, or to better clarify the statement. Even though this is one thing I struggle with in day-today life, I do not let it stop me from doing my best every day.

Another thing I always struggled with when I was a young kid and in my early teens was socializing. This included knowing how to make small talk with people I didn’t know, and sometimes people that I did know. I would always freeze up and would often get more stressed out than I needed to be. I sometimes might even only give one-word answers, because I just wouldn’t know how to continue the conversation. However, over the years I did practice this skill a lot, and have become way better with it, with lots of practicing, and help from my parents and teachers.

One ability that I have always been proud to have as someone who is Autistic, is to remember things I did on specific calendar dates. I know both personal things I would do on specific dates and big events that almost everyone would know about. For example, I know that on Saturday, July 10, 2021, I saw Marvel’s “Black Widow” in theaters. I also know that the Eagles won Super Bowl LII on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Even though I have a good memory with dates, that doesn’t mean I will remember every little thing that I do or learn in life. I may still forget some things about different subjects.

Overall, having Autism definitely does have its ups and downs. With this condition, the main thing to remember is to just take it one day at a time and not let life get the best of you. Just because this is how it is for me, that does not mean it is like that for all other people with Autism. I do not let my disability define who I am as a person. Rather, I let my good actions and hard work define who I am.

Lucas Kuriger

A Chat With Matt Fisher

What got you started in music?

Listening to records with my Dad when I was little started my curiosity. Having access to his extensive vinyl collection and knowledge of all things rock n roll definitely helped to shape my young mind.

I started to get interested in playing music when I was 12. My friend had teenage neighbors that were in bands and we would watch them practice. Sometimes they would let us try to play with them and show us how to play the instruments. I got to play the little snare break down from “Blister in the Sun” with them and that’s all it took to get me hooked. Not long after that I was putting together bands of my own with my friends and I’ve never stopped.

What projects are you currently working on and where are you playing at?

I’m currently working on recording an EP (Stands for extended play - longer than a single and shorter than an album) that will be out later this year under the stage name FishEar. Turns out there are a whole bunch of other musically inclined Matt Fishers out there so I feel a need to separate myself from the Matt Fisher pack so to speak.

If you want to hear my music on Spotify, Apple, etc. you have to type in “Matt Fisher Audio Decor” to find the right Matt Fisher. So coming soon to your preferred streaming platform… FishEar!

Currently I am also drumming with Trifecta which is a sort of improv jam band with some Hendrix, Dead, Marley, and originals mixed in. Our next gig is July 7th at John & Peters. Other gigs may soon pop up as well.

Also I have recently been reconnecting with my old street punk band from my teenage years called Youth on the Warpath. Could be some future recordings or gigs in the making there. Another name rebranding may be necessary here as well. We are all much older now. “Old Farts on the Garden Trail” is in the running.

I like to frequent some of the open mics in the area too. Good chance any given Wednesday you may find me jamming at Villa Capri’s open mic. Always a good time!

Focus on Photography Month at Phillips’ Mill Opens April 2

Themonth of April brings a celebration of fine art photography to Phillips’ Mill with two outstanding shows. The annual juried Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition marks its 30th Anniversary of showcasing excellence in the photographic arts. Rounding out the month, the Not Your Run of the Mill Photo Show will feature works by the gifted volunteers of the Mill Photo committee. Both are must-see events for photography enthusiasts.

At the juried exhibition, which runs April 2 – April 21, 138 images will grace the walls of the historic mill, selected by juror Jill Enfield from over 1,200 submissions received from more than a dozen states. From traditional to digital, the photographs highlight the range of talent encompassed by what is considered the premiere juried photography show in Bucks County.

You’re from Doylestown, how long have you been playing music in the area?

Most of my bands were garage and basement worthy bands starting at around 12-years-old. I’ve played a good handful of local shows with some of those outfits but it has been hard to keep most bands together for very long. So to get the musical ideas out, that lead me down the path of cassette 4-track recording in high school. I put out a whole bunch of local releases. DIY style recordings, all hand made, full of whatever I was interested in at the time and lots of experimental music.

I continue to play in bands and play live when I can but home recording is where I can more freely explore and create. I like to play with all types of music styles and different types of instruments. I want to push boundaries. To create in as many different ways as possible and see what can come of it. Start with some sound or concept, apply a limitation, make a rule, change a pattern or just react in one take and keep it honest for better or worse. When recording I like to try to let the art emerge from itself in a way. It’s audible art or “Audio Decor” if you will. I want to create something new that even if it sounds unusual, will excite me and hopefully others as well.

Doylestown folk may know me most as the host of the “Open Jam.” I started it at Muggs for five years and migrated it to several other local bars until landing it at Stephanie’s (The Cellar on Main) for the last two years. It was a weekly free format jam session for any and all styles of musician. A collaborative musical experience. I met and played with so many great and talented musicians from the local community and surrounding areas over the years. It was a grand experiment and a most enjoyable time!

You and your wife recently had a baby, exciting times, how are you adjusting to being a dad?

As I’m sure you know, it’s been a huge adjustment but of course it is super wonderful and worth all the energy. I’m very lucky that my wife is such a great mommy. She gives 1000% all the time… and I would like to think I’m doing pretty OK myself. My daughter is my world!

Enfield, an internationally renowned fine art photographer, curator, author and educator, shared her expertise in assessing this year’s slate of submissions. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as juror of the competition and conveyed high praise for the quality of work submitted.

Enfield is a leading authority on alternative photographic processes. Her work has been shown throughout the U.S. and Europe and can be found in museums and private collections around the world. She has taught at The New School’s Parsons School of Design since the late 1980s as well as at the International Center for Photography in New York City, and at workshops throughout the world.

Founded by Spencer Saunders in 1991, the annual juried exhibition celebrates and promotes fine art photography embracing

the theme of “Photography as Art, Photographer as Artist.” For a complete list of accepted artists and additional information about the show, visit www.phillipsmill.org/ photography/photo-exhibition.

Following the juried show, the Mill will present its Not Your Run of the Mill Photo Show from April 23 - 30. This show features the works of the Mill Photo Committee who, along with being extraordinary photographers themselves, dedicate their time and talent to organizing the annual Photographic Exhibition and sharing their interests throughout the year. A passion for their art is evident to all who visit the show. The Committee welcomes new members and volunteers and encourages interested individuals to visit their website or contact them at photo@phillipsmill.org.

Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition, April 2 – 21 and the Not Your Run of the Mill Photo Show, April 23 – 30. Both shows are open Wednesday through Sunday from 1:005:00 PM with extended hours on Friday and Saturday ‘til 8 pm. Phillips’ Mill Community Association is located at 2619 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938. For more details visit the Mill’s website at phillipsmill.org.

A New Kind of Art Studio is Coming to Bucks County

An art studio like you’ve never seen before is opening in Bucks County. Painted Sprigs Process Art Studio specializes in children’s art classes that focus on the experience of creating instead of the end product. Located at 534 West Market street in the heart of Perkasie, classes start in March with registration currently open. Painted Sprigs offers classes for kids of all ages. The classes at Painted Sprigs specialize in kinetic art, collaborative work, nature art and lots and lots of color.

Painted Sprigs Process Art Studio is opening in March with an offering of classes with both weekday and weekend schedules, catering to homeschool as well as conventional school families.

“Bucks county moms are falling in love with what we are doing here- watching their 3 year old collaborating with watercolors on embroidered bridal lace or catapulting paint to the wallthe kids are having a blast.” Caroline Haas, owner Process art does not focus on a specific outcome. Instead, it’s about the making and the doing. When the kids aren’t preoccupied with if they’re ‘doing it right’ or comparing their work to the other students, it empowers them to take risks, experiment and feel good about their work. Process art is a gift for one to detach themself from the outcome and fall in love with the process.

When their work is no longer academized, the pressure’s off and they are free to express themselves, explore the potential of the materials and find joy in the experience. Studies like the UK Millenium Cohort Study, show that when kids are involved in creative arts more often, they exhibit higher self-esteem than kids that rarely engaged in creative arts.1

Painted Sprigs Process Art Studio offers classes like Mixed Media Workshops and Fiber Arts Workshops for tweens and teens and STEAM kids classes for early elementary age kids. Toddlers Explore Art classes offer toddler to preschool age children playful ways to investigate their world of color, size and textures. Learn more at - https://www.paintedsprigs.com/#/

The “Pots and Pans Show” section of The Cardinal, brought to you by Jamie Stem, highlights local musicians and the restaurants that host their live music. For more information about the Pots and Pans music section, reach out to Jamie Stem at Jamie.stem@gmail.com

Matt Fisher

Sharlene Holliday

arts • music

Brixxy & Co: Adding Color and Joy to Everyday Life Bucks County Symphony Orchestra Announces Its Spring Concert

students on the autism spectrum. During the nationwide shutdown during Covid, I found myself with idle time. I dusted off the sewing machine and made my first pet bandana for my own pup Brixxy Bordeaux.

Artist Spotlight

Brixxy & Co. is a black women-owned handmade pet bandana company. “We have a passion for bright, fun, and bold prints,” says owner, Alissa Abba. “We love to mix together various patterns and designs, adding bursts of joy to everyday life. These are not your average pet bandanas, these are bandanas for the cool pups on the block.”

Tell us about your art. What is your creative process like?

I love scouring online and in-store for unique fabrics. Anytime I travel, I visit the local fabric stores to see what they have to offer. This helps create amazing bandanas for my clients, but can also be tricky because I can’t get my hands on some fabrics again. For the most part, our bandanas are truly small batch and unique creations. Once I find the main print, the next step is to match it with a fun and vibrant reverse side. After that, we hit the sewing machine, and viola…a reversible pet bandana is created.

Who or what is a big inspiration for you?

My grandmother is and has always been a big inspiration for me. Always fashionable, always wearing and mixing together the boldest prints. I love her super-fun style. Also, pop culture is a big inspiration for our brand. We love to bring in prints with fun, witty catchphrases that make our clients literally laugh out loud.

Where can we find your work?

Obviously at Makers Off Main as well as Cool Dog Gear in Warrington, Ruh Ro’s, City of Paws, Vault & Vine, and The Corner Stoop in Philly. We also plan to expand to Kimberton Whole Foods in Phoenixville soon.

The Bucks County Symphony Orchestra concludes its 70th Anniversary Season with a celebratory spring concert on Saturday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. at Central Bucks High School South in Warrington.

Maestro José Luis Domínguez and the BCSO open the concert with Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture. Composed in 1880, this richly orchestrated piece is a light-hearted work that incorporates four college drinking songs popular in 19th century Germany.

Acclaimed pianist Zhenni Li-Cohen joins the BCSO in a performance of the melodic Piano Concerto No. 3 by Ukrainian-Polish composer Sergei Bortkiewicz, for whose music she has developed a special affinity. A Steinway Artist, Ms. Li-Cohen has been hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer for her “gorgeous tone and mesmerizing touch.” She has performed in notable venues throughout the world, including Carnegie Hall, The Kimmel Center, and the Berliner Philharmonie.

The BCSO completes its concert season with Ludwig van Beethoven’s rhythmically sophisticated Symphony No. 7. Premiered in Vienna in 1813, this symphony was considered by the composer to be among his best works. The Seventh has enthralled countless listeners ever since its highly successful debut, and the second movement is one of the most revered in the symphonic repertoire. There are many who consider this to be one of Beethoven’s most joyous and optimistic works.

Tickets, $25 for adults and $20 for seniors, can be purchased in Doylestown at Rutherford’s Camera Shop and the Doylestown Bookshop, or online at BucksCountySymphony.org. Students are admitted free. Call 215-348-7321 or visit the website for more information.

About the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra

For 70 years, the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra has enriched the community with performances of classical music in local venues at affordable ticket prices. Its board members and the majority of its musicians are volunteers committed to enriching the musical arts in Bucks County and the surrounding communities. The Bucks County Symphony Orchestra continues to carry forth the mission of its founders: sharing the joy of symphonic music through live performance and educational outreach.

To learn more about Bucks County Symphony Orchestra visit BucksCountySymphony.org.

Dan the Man Trivia Questions

Tell us about yourself. When did your journey with art begin?

I’ve always been super creative. Growing up while kids attended sports camps during the summer, I would attend art camps, exploring painting and ceramics. While I loved using those mediums I quickly learned that the passion far outweighed the talent. I always enjoyed sewing, first learning how to use a sewing machine during home economics class in middle school. Fast forward to adulthood, I became an educator who specialized in working with

SATURDAY • APRIL 1 8:30pm $30

HILARIOUS APRIL FOOLS SHOW!

4 KILLER COMICS WILL CRACK YOU UP! Headlining this event is comedian Chris Coccia is a national Comedy Competition Champ! Chris has appeared on Comedy Central, The Game Show Network, and XM Radio. Chris is also a frequent and favorite radio guest serving up funny stuff across the USA. Also starring funny lady Anita Wise appeared on the Tonight Show. PLUS 2 local Comedy Competition champs, the former PE teacher Troy Moore and Marc Lepow. You will Laugh all night!

FRIDAY - SATURDAY • APRIL 7 - 8 8:30pm $30

COMIC BLAST OF LAUGHS! – Starring Funny Lady and National Comedy Competition Champ ‘MISSY’ who has appeared on Tru TV and in a couple of films. Her comedy CD ‘Miss Representation’ was voted one of the best on Pandora radio. Mark these words – you will laugh your

1. David Bowie appeared in what cult film in 1986?

- Answers on page 31

2. Huey, from Huey Lewis and the News, played what musical instrument?

3. Who wrote the song “Nothing Compares To You”?

Dad Joke

Why did the scarecrow win an award?

Come

buns off with her wild routines about life & love! Also on stage is her funny husband Jeremy Hall, who was the DE Comedy Competition Champ. This guy will crack you up! Also, be ready for the hilarious comedy-magic of Derek Lee, seen on the Dr. Oz show and FOX TV, he is totally funny and amazing! And, your host is Bucks County’s Comedy Competition Champ, comedian Tim Conniff and new comic Marc Lepow.

FRIDAY - SATURDAY • APRIL 14 - 15 8:00pm $30

THE USA’S #1 COMEDY IMPROV TEAM IS HERE!

We are excited because the USA’S #1 Comedy Improvisation Team of Baker & Mark are here! Remember the TV Show ‘Who’s Line is It Anyhow? It’s unscripted comedy resulting is an adrenaline pumping performance where anything goes, and you never know what will come next! YOU, yes you, the audience participate in the show by shouting out suggestions, providing sound effects, or even playing right along on stage! It’s a unique interactive experience that will take your breath away from laughing so hard! Starring Scott Baker and Vinnie Mark, who are not just comics, they are two of the quickest thinking entertainers you will ever see. They perform all over the USA in AC & VEGAS, so we are very happy they are here! The roars of laughter you will experience bring the audience together in a unique and powerful way. This

is one of the Cabaret’s favorite comedy shows of the Year! Call every friend you have for this one, they will thank you for it! Plus, Comedy star Funny Lady Helen Angley who has her own comedy special. And former lawyer turned comic Kevin Israel who headlines comedy clubs across the USA has appeared on NBC,CBS, and FOX and his comedy album The StrugleISREAL is top on Pandora. New comic Marc Lepow hosted by the Comedy Cabaret’s Dr. Scarpati.

FRIDAY - SATURDAY • APRIL 21 - 22 8:30pm $30

GET READY FOR ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE HEADLINE COMEDY ACTS IN THE USA! The one and only – Jon Burns is here, he has been seen on The Tonight Show, Letterman and has played all over the USA and many countries – His outstanding mix of stand-up, contortionist, and side show stunts will amaze you and make you L O L at the same time. The human pretzel will crack you up! Plus 2 Comedy Competition Champs David Graham and Tim Conniff.

Friday and Saturday Nights All Shows are SMOKE-FREE! For Show Reservations & Info Call 215.345.JOKE (5653) or visit www.ComedyCabaret.com

Alissa Abba

Zhenni Li-Cohen

arts • music

Bucks County Playhouse Announces 2023 Mainstage Season Featuring Fresh Takes on Tomorrow’s Theater Classics

During a morning kick-off event, Bucks County Playhouse announced today the titles and directors for its 2023 season, which will officially launch May 19. This is the Playhouse’s 84th season, and the 11th since reopening in 2012.

The 2023 season kicks off with new productions of the play, “Tommy and Me,” followed by the Jonathan Larson musical “Tick, Tick ... Boom!,” the Tony-winning musical romance “The Bridges of Madison County,” and “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.” In addition, the Playhouse will produce an all-new production of “The Rocky Horror Show” while The Playhouse Youth Company will revive the musical, “Alien8.” Casting for the 2023 season is by Paul Hardt, Hardt Casting LLC.

“For 2023, we’re taking a fresh look at four recently popular shows we believe will become the classics of tomorrow,” says Producing Director Alexander Fraser. “Starting with Ray Didinger’s valentine to sports fans in ‘Tommy and Me’ straight through to the nostalgic technicolor world of ‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,’ these characters are at a crossroads, each facing a turning point in their lives. They promise a great evening of entertainment for the whole family and provide a sense of community that only the theatre can give.”

The 2023 season will kick off May 20 with a new production of Ray Didinger’s “Tommy and Me” directed by Nick Corley. “Tommy and Me” recalls a seminal time in Didinger’s life when he helped his idol, Philadelphia Eagles legendary wide receiver Tommy McDonald, gain his place

in the NFL Hall of Fame. The second show of the season is Jonathan Larson’s (“Rent”) “Tick, Tick … Boom!” Bucks County Playhouse Executive Producer, Robyn Goodman was one of the original producers of “Tick … Tick… Boom!” Off-Broadway in 2001.

“Before ‘Rent’ I gave Jonathan Larson his very first reading of ‘Boho Days’ which later became ‘Tick… Tick… Boom!’,” says Robyn Goodman. “I have always loved his music and how he captured that moment when a brilliant artist turns 30 and is still waiting for his real life to begin.”

One of the centerpieces of the Playhouse season is a fresh take on “The Bridges of Madison County” directed by original Broadway cast member, and Playhouse Artistic Associate, Hunter Foster. The show will feature Broadway’s Kate Baldwin (“Hello, Dolly!”, “Finian’s Rainbow”) in the role of Francesca. Additional casting details will be announced soon.

The 2023 season will conclude with a long-planned production of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” also directed by Foster. In addition to the subscription season, Bucks County Playhouse will present a new version of “The Rocky Horror Show,” a musical that has become an October tradition at the Playhouse.

“We are pleased to announce that we will revisit “The Rocky Horror Show” this year,” says Producer Josh Fiedler. “Since 2019, the last time we produced the show to record-breaking crowds, we continued to receive questions about its return. Hunter and our producing team believe it is the perfect time to create a ‘Rocky

Horror’ for today’s audiences — keeping the high energy and over-the-top irreverence of our original production but giving it a new production design, as well as some added twists and touches.”

This season, the Playhouse also is focusing its attention to increasing access to its programs and has diversified its price structure, enhanced its subscription program pricing and added school day matinees at a deeply discounted rate.

“Quality theater should be for everyone,” says Managing Director Adele Adkins. “We believe it is important to remove the barriers for those who feel they cannot afford to come to the Playhouse. We want to foster a lifelong love of theatre among young people — and help create the audience of tomorrow. We spent a lot of time this off season working on creating and adjusting programs that create affordability for all our patrons.”

Among the areas of focus are ensuring the subscription package offers additional value by eliminating upgrade fees, creating special pricing for theatergoers under the age of 40, providing local schools with deeply discounted schoolday matinee tickets, and adding multiple price points in each public performance beginning at just $39.

Season tickets are now available and start at $208 for a four-show package. A special pre-sale for single tickets starts today, with prices beginning at $39. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. All play titles, artists, and dates are subject to change. Details on casting will be announced soon. For tickets and information, visit www. BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or call 215-862-2121.

Free Appraisal Day 2023 A Day of Art Appraisals and Conservation Estimates at Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio

It has been too long!!! But we are ready to return for another FREE Art Appraisal Day at Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 11 am to 5pm. We are located at 5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and parking is not a problem at our new location.

Have you uncovered a long lost treasure while spring cleaning? Curious as to whether the painting you picked up at a local flea market has any value? Bring your fine art to Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio and we will provide you with a free value appraisal or free conservation estimate. Bring the landscape from over your couch for a fair-market appraisal; find out what’s underneath that dusty painting in your basement; bring your treasured family heirloom for a cleaning and repair estimate. Are you unsure of the origin of your artwork? Let our specialists take a look to see if we can uncover your mystery painting.

This year the event will again feature Marge Gratz ISA AM, an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers and longtime Gratz Gallery sales associate and our fine art specialist Paul Gratz, owner and head conservator at Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio for the past 40 years.

Due to the past popularity of this event, patrons are requested to limit their inquiries to two pieces per family. The appraisers will get to all the paintings they possibly can in one day.

Mid-Century to Manga: The Modern Japanese Print in America • March 4 - July 30

Highlighting a prominent local story, the central feature of the exhibition is the display of three original copies of James Michener’s 1962 book The Modern Japanese Print: An Appreciation. This very large folio (each is approximately two-feet tall and three-feet wide when opened) contains signed original woodblock prints by modern Japanese printmakers Hiratsuka Un’Ichi, Maekawa Sempan, Mori Yoshitoshi, Watanabe Sadao, Kinoshita Tomio, Shima Tamami, Azechi Umetaro, Iwami Reika, Yoshida Masaji, and Maki Haku.

The exhibition will feature 75 prints on paper, over two dozen of which have never been on display at the Michener Art Museum before (such as Kiyoshi Saito’s Winter in Aizu series).

Celebrating the historical and continued local interest in Japanese and Japanese American printmaking and illustration, the exhibition traces the story of the modern sosakuhanga movement and other creative collectibles — from Japan to the United States and beyond.

Highlighting original woodblock prints by modern Japanese printmakers Hiratsuka Un’Ichi, Maekawa Sempan, Mori Yoshitoshi, Watanabe Sadao, Kinoshita Tomio, Shima Tamami, Azechi Umetaro, Iwami Reika, Yoshida Masaji, and Maki Haku.

Mid-Century to Manga: The Modern Japanese Print in America has been generously supported by the Bucks County Tourism Grant Program and the Michener Art Museum’s 35th Anniversary Initiative.

2023 Summer Camp at Music Mountain Theatre

MY SIDE OF THE STORY

HEROES VS. VILLIANS!

AGES 8 - 11 JULY 3 - 7

Take a look at scripts and stories from a different point of view! Snow white and the Wicked Queen , Peter Pan and Captain Hook, Dalmations and Cruella. Have fun changing lyrics to classic songs and create a revue that is performed at your final day of camp!

PIRATES AND PRINCESSES

AGES 5 - 7 JULY 17 - 21

Ahoy Mateys and Princesses!

Set sail with us for this camp as we travel to adventurous places where princesses and pirates roam. Learn songs, dances and more to create your very own royal adventure!

SUPERHERO CAMP

KAPOW! WOW! BAM!

AGES 8 - 11 AUGUST 14 - 18

Focusing on your favorite DC and Marvel characters, in this acting camp your child will explore and create their own superhero adventure with music and lots of action!

THE MAGIC OF ALAN MENKEN & DISNEY

AGES 12 - 16 AUG. 28 - SEPT. 1

This camp will explore the magic of Alan Menken & Disney. Drawing on his shows like Little Shop of Horrors, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Aladdin, Pocohontas, Hunchback, Hercules, Tangled, Disenchanted and more to create a unique ensemble showcase.

Specializing in the conservation of oil paintings and gilded frames, Paul Gratz’s formal training began at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and was developed through various apprenticeships with some of the nation’s most respected art conservators. Today, Paul leads a team of skilled artisans in combining modern techniques with Old World craftsmanship to offer the finest in treatment for oil paintings, murals and gilt objects. Since 1982 Paul Gratz has provided his services to museums, historical societies, universities, churches and many private collections.

“Truly skilled conservation of your art”, says Gratz, “preserves as much as is possible of the original art itself, and therefore preserves its utmost value. Conservation treatment restores original radiance, color and detail to your treasured oil paintings, adding years of life and maximum value to even the most damaged artwork. Our dedication to the quality of care for your investment is surpassed only, perhaps, by our passion for the beauty of the craft itself.”

The gallery is also actively expanding our inventory by buying and consigning complete art collections & fine American paintings from The Pennsylvania Impressionists, Hudson River School, Old Masters, European Paintings, Abstract and Modern Art, Contemporary and Surrealist Art, American and European Impressionists.

“Gratz Gallery has been a trusted representative for collectors in the expansion and upgrade of their fine American art collections for over 40 years”

Located at 5230 Silo Hill Road in Doylestown, the Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio specializes in 19th and 20th century American paintings, with a focus on painters from the New Hope School of Pennsylvania Impressionists, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and members of the Philadelphia Ten. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., as well as by appointment. For additional information, please visit our website at www.gratzgallery.com or call us at 215-348-2500.

Hashimoto, Okiie (1899-1993), Nishikori Castle, 1956 (Showa Era). Woodblock print on paper, 16 1/8 x 22 inches. Courtesy of the Collection of James A. Michener.

Steve McDonnell of Swedesboro, NJ at a previous Gratz Gallery free appraisal day

Get to Know a Doylestownian: Bill Hooker

By Dana Roberts

The Cardinal Contributing Writer

“Get to Know a Doylestownian” is a monthly feature in which a Doylestown resident or person of interest helps us get to know them better by finishing sentences we provide; in any way they see fit. Since April is Celebrate Diversity Month , we wanted to highlight a person in the community who strives to honor the differences between us. Bill Hooker , local resident, and leader in the Supplier Diversity field, embraces and champions the importance of diversity on both a personal and professional level. To learn more about what his company offers, visit his website at www.Bill-Hooker.com , and read on to find out his perspective on diversity in the workplace and in our community.

I’ve been working in the supplier diversity field for… over 20 years, as a private practice Supplier Diversity and Supplier Development consultant. My business, of which I am the President, is SourceOne Innovations. It was created to help create, enhance, train, and audit a supplier diversity program in a fraction of the time and expense of alternate approaches. While in “corporate America,” I created a supplier diversity program for a multi-national pharmaceutical company and have helped many other companies, large and small, to create fully functional supplier diversity programs to enable compliance with the customer diverse spend reporting requirements.

Supplier diversity programs, in layman’s terms, is… a proactive business strategy that encourages the use of minority-, women-, veteran/service-disabled-, LGBTQ-, and disability-owned businesses, as suppliers. Supplier diversity is not an entitlement program and only the best supplier, diverse or not, should be awarded business.

I became interested in this because… there is such an overwhelming and not addressed need to help underrepresented and underserved communities grow. Among those communities included are minoritywomen-LGBTQ-veteran-and disability-owned businesses, commonly referred to as “diverse suppliers”. With rapidly growing attention to assisting these diverse suppliers (and ultimately the communities in which they live) there is a

Bill Hooker

growing list of companies now supporting the creation of supplier diversity programs that enable companies to create a program to bring business awards to qualified suppliers.

My education background is… BA/Biology-Chemistry, MBA/Finance. I am a certified LGBT and Disability Owned business enterprise, a lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager, and an ICF-certified executive coach.

My work week/daily schedule is… dependent on my customers’ needs.

My favorite part of my job is… helping underrepresented and underserved communities and companies join forces with companies to forge lasting business relationships.

The most challenging part of my job is… not having enough hours in the day.

The most interesting part of my job is… meeting prospective customers and designing a program to best fit their needs.

Fields and industries we serve include… health care, pharmaceutical, insurance, banking, utilities, manufacturing, property management, consumer products,

food processing, et al.

An industry/business that I’m fascinated by right now is every single interest that uses our products.

The farthest and most interesting places my work has taken me to is… the UK and working in the healthcare arena.

Diversity for me, on a personal level, is… the satisfaction of playing my part in helping achieve equality amongst all sectors.

A book/television program/movie related to diversity that resonated with me was… reading “Tuesdays with Morrie,” “White Fragility,” and “The Light We Carry.”

I grew up in … Erie, PA, and have lived in NY, FL, OH, and now live with my husband, Mark, in New Britain Township.

My husband and I settled in Bucks County because… we love the country-like setting.

Something I love that Doylestown/Bucks County offers to highlight the importance of diversity is… Doylestown’s support of LGBTQ activities.

Where I feel our community could improve regarding diversity is… to put politics aside when it comes to human needs.

Right now, I’m reading… Spare, by Prince Harry. My theme song would be… “Special,” by Lizzo. At the end of the day, I unwind by… meditating. If I could immerse myself in a different culture, I would choose… indigenous culture.

A place I would theoretically love to live is… Paris/Siesta Key, FL.

With regard to diversity, I hope our local community and global community… genuinely supports difference.

events calendar

COUNTY THEATRE

WWW.COUNTYTHEATRE.ORG

APRIL SHOWTIMES

Wednesday 5, 7:30pm

First Take Shorts Series

Thursday 6, 7:00pm

Baby Face

Wednesday 12, 7:00pm

Tokyo Story

Thursday 13, 7:00pm

Topsy-Turvy

Saturday 15, 10:00am

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Tuesday 18, 7:00pm

The Palm Beach Story

Wednesday 19, 7:00pm

Godzilla vs. Hedorah

Thursday 20, 7:00pm

Heavy Metal

Saturday 22, 10:30am

The Iron Giant

Sunday 23, 1:30pm

Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition

Wednesday 26, 7:00pm

The Rules of The Game

Thursday 27, 7:00pm

Key Largo

ON GOING

FRIDAYS • APRIL 7, 14, 21, 28

PICK YOUR PROJECT WORKSHOP

Board and Brush 6:15 – 9:30pm

Looking for a fun way to connect with friends or family? Join our most popular DIY workshop and create your own unique wood sign! Select a wood project from our gallery. We provide all the materials and instruct you step-by-step to create a beautiful piece for your home or for a gift. Choose from a variety of paint and wood stain colors in the workshop. Pre-registration is required. We look forward to seeing you soon! https://boardandbrush.com

THROUGH APRIL 8

EASTER EGG HUNT

Visit The Doylestown Bookshop to pick up your Easter Egg Hunt Booklet and head into town to visit participating stores to find golden eggs!

SATURDAY • APRIL 1

BIRDS & BAGELS FOR BEGINNERS

Peace Valley Nature Center

8:00am – 10:00am

Fee: $6/members; $9/non-members

Ages: adult If you’ve wanted to begin watching birds, but didn’t know where to start, here is your opportunity. We’ll start with bagels and coffee then learn the basics of field identification through visual and behavioral cues, as well as some common song recognition. Next we will head out to test our new found knowledge in the field. Bring binoculars if you have them. www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org

SATURDAY • APRIL 1

MIND MASTERY BOOK CLUB

Doylestown Bookshop 4:00pm

Facilitated by Lisa Santa Barbara, come out and enjoy stimulating conversations with like-minded people! The books selected will be related to Mastering your Mind, cultivating and expanding your awareness of observing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Foster authenticity and live in your truth. Discussing: How to Do The Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal From Your Past, and Create Your Self by Dr. Nicole LePera. www.doylestownbookshop.com

SUNDAY • APRIL 2

NATURE CONNECTIONS: HOORAY FOR HUMMINGBIRDS

Peace Valley Nature Center 1:00am – 2:30pm

Fee: $5/members; $8/non-members

Ages: all

It won’t be long before the hummingbirds will return to zip around your yard. Join us to learn more about these flying jewels and how to attract them to your garden. Each participant will make a simple feeder to take home in this hands-on workshop. www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org

WEDNESDAY • APRIL 5

TEEN NIGHT – PAINT PARTY!

Makers off Main

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Allora Gifts and Home Décor

Join Forman Design Co. for a creative night out - just for teenagers! We will provide all of the supplies you need to create your own canvas masterpiece. No experience necessary. And because Forman Design’s unique approach to canvas art does not require continuous, step-by-step instruction, you are free to enjoy good company and a fun, fool-proof project all at your own pace. So sit back, treat yourself to some BYO treats & let the low-key creative energy flow. www.makersoffmain.com

THURSDAY • APRIL 6

ANDROID’S DREAM SCI-FI BOOK CLUB

Doylestown Bookshop

6:30pm

Join us for a discussion of all things sci-fi, fantasy, and horror at the Android’s Dream Book Club. This book club meets on the first Thursday of every month at Doylestown Bookshop, and is free to join with no registration necessary. Hope to see you there.

Discussing: Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree www.doylestownbookshop.com

SATURDAY • APRIL 8

VOLUNTEER WORK DAY

Peace Valley Nature Center

10:00am – noon Ages: all

Our group Work Days are a great opportunity for community members to support the mission of Peace Valley Nature Center. Participants will choose from several projects of varying difficulty and work in groups to tackle some of our most pressing needs. Dress for outdoor work (long pants and long sleeves, good shoes), bring plenty of water, and tools if you would like to use your own. We will supply gloves but we encourage you to bring your own. www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org

SATURDAY • APRIL 8

EASTER BUNNY PHOTOS

11:00 AM 1:00 PM

Discover Doylestown (map)

The Easter Bunny returns to Doylestown Borough!

MONDAY • APRIL 10

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE Peddlers Village

2:00pm – 7:00pm

Please join us for a blood drive at Peddler’s Village at Cock ‘n Bull restaurant. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins welcome. https://peddlersvillage.com

TUESDAY • APRIL 11

NEW SOLUTIONS FOR DEMENTIA. 12:30.

Free Lunch and Learn sponsored by Lachman and Associates and the Foundation for Wellness Professionals. Call (267) 406-0782 to RSVP.

THURSDAY • APRIL 13

WOMEN’S BUSINESS BOOK CLUB

Doylestown Bookshop

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Join us for a book discussion group for women in business. Each meeting will focus on a business book and will include a guest facilitator for each session, based on the book. Guest facilitators will include businesswomen from the Doylestown and Bucks County communities.

Discussing: The Book of Boundaries: Set the Limits that Will Set you Free by Melissa Urban. www.doylestownbookshop.com

THURSDAY • APRIL 13

FLOWER BASKET PREPPING & PLANTING

6:00 PM 8:00 PM Delaware Valley University

Volunteers are needed for flower basket prep and planting!

FRIDAY • APRIL 14

CREATIVE READING BOOK CLUB

Lahaska Bookshop

1:00pm

There will be a discussion revolving around informative fiction and non-fiction. Although the group consists mainly of “matured” adults, folks of all ages are welcome. Meetings will be on the second or first Friday of every month. Please contact Daniel at daniel@lahaskabookshop.com for more information.

Discussing: True Biz by Sara Novic www.doylestownbookshop.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY • APRIL 14-15, 28-29

OPERATION DOYLESTOWN PEDESTRIAN ZONE (N MAIN ST)

FRIDAYS AT 5:00pm

Downtown Doylestown

SATURDAYS AT 11:00am

Doylestown Borough is organizing a series of street closures to support local shops and restaurants that will run weekly through October 2023

TUESDAY • APRIL 18

PHILOSOPHY BOOK CLUB

Lahaska Bookshop 12:00pm

The Lahaska Bookshop invites you to join engaging discussions about philosophy and philosophers. The group meets in-person on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Lahaska Bookshop for 2 hours at 12 Noon! Members of the club also meet via Zoom - also at noon! - on the other Tuesdays for an ongoing discussion. The discussions are guided by Jonathan Matas who has 35 years of experience teaching philosophy to adult students. Discussing: The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More Than Human World by David Abram, and Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology by David Abram. https://www.doylestownbookshop.com

FRIDAY • APRIL 21

KINCONNECTOR

BC Grandfamilies Support Group 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Run by grandparents, for grandparents and other relatives raising the children of loved ones. Build support, discuss topics related to challenges, celebrate successes, broaden knowledge, educate others through lived experiences and recourses offered. Joined by Alex Maasdam, MA Counselling/Kinship Navigator.

FRIDAY • APRIL 21

BUCKS BEAUTIFUL HOSTS 10TH SPRING FLING GALA

APRIL 21ST

Barley Sheaf Farm 6:00 PM 10:00 PM

Bucks Beautiful is pleased to host the tenth annual Spring Fling Gala at the historic Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm

SATURDAY • APRIL 22

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Peace Valley Nature Center

10:00am – 3:00pm

No fee, all ages

Every day is Earth Day! But especially today, when people in over 190 countries celebrate our planet through education, action, and commemoration. We will celebrate by providing our community a day full of activities in and around the Nature Center. This event is rain or shine. www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org

THURSDAY • APRIL 27

STORIES BEHIND PEACE VALLEY

Peace Valley Nature Center 7:00pm – 8:00pm

No fee - advanced registration required. Donations accepted.

Age: adult

Join author Kathryn McKenna as she shares tidbits from her newly published book, Stories Behind Peace Valley. This program offers a glimpse into the history, businesses, mining operations, lake project and the lives and activities of those who lived and worked there before the man-made lake was created. www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org

SATURDAY • APRIL 29

PASTEL ART CLASS

Gathering, 65 W State St, Doylestown, PA

12:00pm – 2:30pm

Gathering is sponsoring a pastel class held by Elssa Goldberg. Find further information at gatheringdoylestown. com or gatheringdoylestown@facebook.com

SATURDAY • APRIL 29

SPRING CONCERT

Central Bucks High School South • 8:00pm

Hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer for her “gorgeous tone and mesmerizing touch,” Steinway Artist Zhenni Li-Cohen’s riveting presence and passionate performances have brought audiences to their feet around the world. www.buckscountysymphony.org

SUNDAY • APRIL 30

DRAG QUEEN BINGO

Temple Judea, Bucks County, 38 Rogers Rd, Furlong

2:00pm – 5:00pm

Fee: $35/person

Age: 18+

Bingo games and drag performances! Win gift cards, eat snacks, and BYOB!

RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/TJDragBingo

For more info call: (215) 348-5022

SUNDAY • APRIL 30

AN AFTERNOON OF OPERA & SONG

Michener Art Museum 2:30 PM 4:00 PM

The award-winning Resident Artists of Philadelphia’s worldrenowned Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) will return to the Michener for an afternoon to remember.

EASTER

PEEPS IN THE VILLAGE

Peddlers Village

Through April 23rd NOW OPEN

Peddler’s Village presents the 4th Annual PEEPS® in the Village from March 13 through April 23 (except on Easter Sunday). A highly anticipated event that showcases the creative talents of regional residents–and the longstanding allure of the colorful candies, you’ll see more than 130 marshmallow masterpieces carefully crafted with bright bunnies and chicks in inspired, inventive settings. Vote for your favorite Diorama, Sculpture and 2-D Wall Art through April 1! https://peddlersvillage.com

EASTER CELEBRATIONS

Peddlers Village April 8th – 9th

Celebrate Easter with a family meal, egg hunts, and a spring stroll through tulip-lined walkways! https://peddlersvillage.com

COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT

Pearl S. Buck House National Historic Landmark Museum

April 1st, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Please join us on Saturday, April 1 for a community-wide Easter Egg Hunt! This free event will be a fun and exciting morning for children and families – please register below. There will be separate egg hunts for different age groups; in the event of inclement weather, the egg hunts will be moved inside. Come to this FREE event and find eggs filled with candy, stickers, and toys – arrive at 10 am and meet the Easter Bunny himself! After your egg hunt, stay and peruse our gift shop or take a tour of the Pearl S. Buck House National Historic Landmark museum! https://pearlsbuck.org

Associate Publisher

David Ramoy • 267.824.2738 David@DoylestownCardinal.com

Executive Editor

Jessica Ramoy • 215.588.7748 Jess@DoylestownCardinal.com

Managing Editor Natalya Bucuy Natalya@DoylestownCardinal.com

Contributing Writers Lily Appleby • Natalya Bucuy

Danielle Gannon • Maura Guzek • Lauren Heine

Trish Klein • James Lamb • Ariel Mann

Patrick Mencel • Sarah Peters • Brian Pultro

Sheela Rai • Dana Roberts • Jamie Stem

Nicolas and Stephen Servis • Shana Trichon Edie Weinstein • Bob Wilkowski

Staff Photographer Jean-Paul de Guzman

Editorial Interns

Lily Appleby and Nate Schneller For Advertising Jay Pelc • 917.957.1713 JP4541@aol.com

Media Relations

Danielle Gannon • 267.980.2176 Danielle@DoylestownCardinal.com

Distribution Mike Roberts • 267.885.8890 David@DoylestownCardinal.com

Published by The Doylestown Cardinal, LLC. PO Box 1486 • Doylestown, PA 18901

Publisher Jeffrey “JD” Diaz • 267.824.2412 JD@DoylestownCardinal.com

The Doylestown Cardinal is published monthly and distributed to over 150 locations throughout the Doylestown, Pennsylvania Area.

New Podcast Features Two Local Residents

Diverse Backgrounds Model Difficult Conversations

Nick Ventresca and Steve Willis

biz bits

New Rules for 529 Plans

By Brian Pultro, AIF, BFA, RFC® The Cardinal Contributing Writer

The529 plans have always been great vehicles to help families save money for education and use that money, tax-free, to pay for qualified education expenses. Recently, Congress passed a spending package that included a number of new rules. One of the new rules included a provision that amended the Internal Revenue Code. The change allows for taxand penalty-free rollovers from 529 plans to Roth IRAs starting in 2024. Here are answers to some common questions.

How Much Can Be Rolled Over?

for 2024 is scheduled to be $6,500 for those under 50 and $7,500 for folks over the age of 50. The beneficiaries cannot roll over any money from their 529 plans into Roth IRAs without getting hit with penalties and taxes unless the account has existed for at least 15 years. Account holders and beneficiaries cannot roll over any contributions or earnings on contributions that were made in the last five years.

The Bottom Line

By Dana Roberts

The Cardinal Contributing Writer

Ifyou’re a podcast listener, you know that it can sometimes be hard to choose one to listen to because there is just so much content out there. However, two local residents, Nick Ventresca and Steve Willis, just made the quest for a good listen a lot easier with the creation of their new podcast, “It’s Not Black or White.”

Each episode features a conversation between these two friends, who are individually eloquent, thoughtful, funny, and interesting humans. Their dialogue is quite meta since they talk about how to talk to another person when your backgrounds or viewpoints differ, especially when the topic at hand might be controversial. Nick and Steve, or “Willis”, as he is commonly referred to, are genuinely interested in modeling mature ways to have difficult conversations, and want to support others in doing so, too.

The podcast is particularly relevant to tune into during April, the month in which we celebrate diversity. The title of their podcast, a clear reference to the idea that things aren’t always black or white, is also a note to one very obvious difference between them: Nick is White, and Willis is Black. Their differences extend beyond skin color; Nick is a pastor of a church in Doylestown, and Willis is an educator and is focused on equity and inclusionary works within school districts. Nick’s passion is to pastor and lead a community of people in a Protestant Church background. Willis is a self-described lifelong learner and is heavily involved in the world of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion).

Together, they touch on the fact that the circles in which they orbit, the “church world” and the “DEI world,” can be conflicting. But while the men have “drastically different worldviews,” they have some things in common. They are both dads, and husbands, and united in their love and care for people and respect for each other.

“Through our podcast, we want to demonstrate that while Nick and I have

different backgrounds, we are able to come to a common ground—or not a common ground—on a conversation, but be able to have that dialogue,” Willis says. “What I find is that if we are grounded in some commonality, then other differences pull back that centerpiece. What things we truly care about as people tend to bubble up to the top, and that’s where we find our common ground. So that’s why we’re talking about normalizing challenging conversations.”

The new rule allows beneficiaries of the 529 plan to roll over up to $35,000 over the course of their lifetime from any 529 account in their name to a Roth IRA in their name.

When Can Rollovers Start?

The new rule becomes effective after December 31, 2023, so, start planning now.

Are There Any Special Rules That Apply to the 529 Plan Rollovers?

Any amount of money that is rolled over from a 529 plan into a Roth IRA account will be subject to Roth IRA annual contribution limits. The contribution limit

This is a huge change for the 529 industry. It gives everyone another reason to save for education without worrying about a child not going to college. While the money in a 529 account can be withdrawn and subjected to taxes at any time, it can also now be rolled over to a Roth tax-free. There are still limits but it’s a huge step in the right direction to helping families realize the value a 529 plan can bring.

Brian Pultro is a Doylestown native, Navy Veteran, and local Financial Advisor. His practice is built upon the foundations of “Behavioral Finance” and training individuals and families on how to take natural human emotions out of the investment process.

Pultro Financial Management

(215) 489-3876 • brian.pultro@LPL.com

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC.

Get Financially Fit In 10 Days

A “bonus” feature of their conversation is that they conduct it over a beer since both men are fans of craft beer. Cleverly, the beer they choose for each episode ties into the episode’s theme. For the intro episode, they sipped on Origin, by Anchorage Brewing Company. They describe it as “strong, hoppy, and a little too citrusy, but still a good beer.”

Future episodes in the series will cover a variety of topics, including what leadership looks like, hospitality, the duality of thought, personal and societal outlets, marriage, parenting, and human rights. The next episode that they’ll release will be “The Art of Dialoguing.” While the beer they’ll drink is undetermined at this point, the conversation is sure to be thought-provoking and interesting.

To give the podcast a listen, search “It’s Not Black or White” on Spotify for Podcasters.

Opulus, a Doylestown-based financial planning and investment firm, is excited to announce the launch of its new course, “Get Financially Fit In 10 Days with Financial Fitness 101.” Financial Fitness 101 is the ultimate Personal Finance Course to build wealth and master your finances in ten days. Are you tired of feeling like you’re not making progress toward your financial goals? Do you feel like you’re missing out on opportunities because of your financial situation? This course is here to help.

At Opulus, we’ve helped countless clients achieve financial success. Our expert instructors have distilled over a decade of experience into three hours of clear, easy-to-follow video content that will guide you through ten important personal finance topics and provide you with the tools to implement change.

WHAT

YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

• Building a Balance Sheet. Discover how to create a snapshot of your financial health that can help you make better financial decisions.

• Tracking Net Worth. Learn how to track your net worth over time and use this information to make strategic financial moves.

• Optimizing Your Budget. Get practical tips for creating a budget that works for you and your lifestyle.

• Ways Get Out of Debt. Learn practical strategies for paying off debt and staying debt-free.

• When Can You Be Financially Independent? Discover how to calculate

your financial independence number and create a plan to achieve this goal.

• How Much House Can You Afford? Learn how to calculate the true cost of homeownership and make an informed decision about whether buying a home is right for you.

• Do You Need Life Insurance? Find out why life insurance is important and how to choose the right type of policy for your needs.

• The Basics of an Estate Plan. Get an overview of the essential components of an estate plan and why it’s important to have one.

COST AND WHERE TO FIND THE COURSE

The pre-launch price is a one-time payment of $149 with lifetime access to the course and updates. A prelaunch waitlist will get a special discount. The course also comes with a 100% 7-Day Money Back Guarantee. For more details, check out our website, www.opulus.us, and click “Courses.”

ABOUT OPULUS, RYAN AND FRAN Opulus is a Doylestown-based financial planning and investment firm that works with 120 families and manages over $30M of investment assets. Ryan Greiser and Fran Walsh have over a decade of experience assisting business owners, professional athletes, millennials, and millionaires to achieve their financial goals. You can catch these two being featured in Investopedia 100, MarketWatch, NerdWallet, Bloomberg, CNBC, Think Advisor, and financial planning.

Ryan Greiser Fran Walsh

Grim, Biehn & Thatcher Welcomes New Attorney Daniel P. Martin

Grim, Biehn & Thatcher of Perkasie, Pa., is pleased to announce that Daniel P. Martin has joined the firm as a fulltime associate in the firm’s municipal law department. A resident of Allentown, Pa., Martin received a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and a law degree from Widener University. During his time at Widener, Martin was the Pennsylvania Law & Symposium Editor on the Widener Commonwealth Law Review and was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society.

Martin has been admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Bucks County Bar Association. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Denise M. Bowman of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.

“We are very pleased that Daniel

has joined our municipal practice,” said Gregory E. Grim, CEO, Grim, Biehn & Thatcher. “He brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to our firm and we know he will be an asset to our clients.”

John Aleksiejczyk Joins Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Fox & Roach, Realtors

Linda Emerson, sales leader of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS® Doylestown Office, welcomes John Aleksiejczyk as a sales associate. “I joined the company because BHHS Fox & Roach is an impressive company with wonderful people,” says Aleksiejczyk. He resides in Hatboro and serves Bucks County. Aleksiejczyk can be contacted at 610-533-2772 or by emailing john.alek@foxroach.com.

Doylestown Hospital Recently Named as One of the ‘World’s Best’ Hospitals

Doylestown Hospital is ranked 8th in Pennsylvania and 122 in the United States in Newsweek’s 2023 World’s Best Hospitals annual listing. This is the fifth year in a row Doylestown Hospital was recognized by Newsweek in the prestigious list.

Doylestown Hospital is one of only 27 hospitals in the state to be recognized and has received the extra distinction for being a leader in infection prevention.

“We are truly honored and proud to be named again as one of the World’s Best Hospitals by Newsweek,” said Jim Brexler, President and CEO of Doylestown Health.

“Our dedicated medical staff and outstanding team of Associates are committed to being a regional leader in quality of care and because of that we’re especially pleased to be recognized for infection prevention. As we mark our centennial year of caring for our community,

Real Estate Investment Guide to House Hacking

By Patrick Mencel

The Cardinal Contributing Writer

Real estate investment takes guts. We hear the term “passive income,” but what does that truly mean? If you view money as energy, there are many ways to put it to work. That’s the whole idea of investment. We spend money to make more of it.

When purchasing a house, initially we pay a percent out of pocket (the down payment) which goes towards the principal or the actual value of the house. Then we finance the rest for a fee charged by the bank called interest. We do this in hopes that we made a good decision and get in return more than what we have put into it.

House hacking comes across my plate quite often. It’s a great way to get started and makes sense regardless of the market fluctuation. House hacking can be as simple as flipping a house and living in it while rehabbing it or purchasing a multi-family unit and living in a portion of it while renting out the other units.

What’s great about house hacking is that it takes minimal funds to get started. Most investors house hack using an FHA loan. That allows them to put only 3.5 percent down on the house by listing it as their primary residence. It is important to note that by law, FHA loans are required to be used for the purpose of a primary residence. However, FHA loans can be refinanced into conventional ones, and that is where the magic happens.

Let’s look at how it can work on a flip. An investor has limited funds and decides to purchase a home to renovate with the intention to rent it out as a long-term rental. The purchaser claims the home as his or her primary residence while rehabbing it. About six months later, the purchaser calls the bank for a reappraisal. The bank values the home for double of the original purchase price. This is called after rehab value (ARV). The purchaser can then use the equity from the home to refinance the home into a conventional investment loan and use the remainder of the funds to purchase the next home.

The more common scenario is house hacking a multi-family unit like a duplex. The purchaser may use an FHA loan to purchase the duplex, list it as his or her primary residence and live in one of the units, while renting out the other. This helps offset mortgage payments and buys the purchaser time to allow the home to appreciate.

Maybe, while living in the property, the owner decides to make some improvements that further add to the home’s value. Over time, the owner can increase the rent on the rented unit and add even more value. Just like in the instance of the house flip hack, the purchaser of the duplex may now call the bank for reappraisal and refinance the property into a conventional investment loan. Then he or she can collect the equity and purchase another home with the remainder while renting out both units of the duplex.

House hacking is such a neat way to get into real estate investment. It is becoming more and more popular and has become a gateway for entry investors. There are many successful investors who have been using the house hacking technique for quite some time to continually add to their portfolio of properties.

Interestingly, conventional loans can also be used to house hack. If the home is listed as the current primary residence, investors can put as little as three percent down. However, once the property rents out and the owner moves on to the next, it’s important to make sure that the loan has been refinanced to an investment loan.

I love to help clients find their first or next real estate investment. If this is something you’re interested in and would like to know more about, please reach out.

Patrick Mencel has a passion for renovation and home restoration and sees the potential and value in properties that are often overlooked. Patrick’s goal is to help you find your dream home, vacation home, or the right investment property. He can be reached at The Artisan Group, Real Broker LLC www.thebuckscorealtor.com Email: thebuckscountyrealtor@gmail.com, Phone: 215-986-0536

this gives us one more reason to celebrate.”

This award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., a statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Together they developed a complex methodology to ensure the quality and validity of the ranking.

Bucks County’s First P.J. Whelihan’s Pub + Restaurant is Now Open

P.J. Whelihan’s Pub + Restaurant just opened it’s very first Bucks County location in Doylestown.

Per their website, “As a part of the Doylestown community, P.J. Whelihan’s is dedicated to serving families, sports fans, happy hour patrons and those seeking a night out. Extra-large televisions will keep guests in the middle of all the sports action with great views from the comfortable bar area and surrounding high-tops for game day.”

If you like beer, you’ll love P.J. Whelihans’s. You’ll enjoy a “robust, rotating beer selection including P.J.W Copper Lager, brewed exclusively for P.J. Whelihan’s by Victory Brewing Company.”

The new P.J. Whelihan’s Pub + Restaurant is located at 4379 West Swamp Road in Doylestown, PA.

Fitch Ratings Affirms Delaware Valley University’s Revenue Bonds

Delaware Valley University (DelVal) announced recently that its revenue bonds have been affirmed for an investment grade rating of BBB - with a stable outlook from Fitch Ratings, one of the nation’s “Big 3” credit ratings agencies.

The ratings reflect enhanced enrollment management and financial practices of DelVal’s management team, a rebound in entering freshmen, the launch of new health science programs and non-recurring pandemic aid. The ratings also consider the University’s unique combination of experiential learning programs in niche

agricultural and biological sciences within a private university setting. The Stable Outlook reveals Fitch’s expectation that DelVal’s projected revenue growth from both student and other sources, combined with expense controls and no additional debt plans, will provide operating cushion and a stable leverage position going forward.

“The rating is an endorsement of DelVal’s commitment to fiscal discipline and strengthening the University’s finances while improving our competitiveness,” said DelVal’s vice president for Finance and Administration, Curtis (Curt) Topper. “It follows a lot of hard work from all segments of the DelVal community and is a clear sign that we continue to position the University for future growth.”

New Parx Casino & Hotel to Rise in Bensalem

The Bensalem Township Council has given the green light for the Parx Casino Hotel project to build a high-end hotel on Street Road in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

The proposed location for the hotel is in the same general area as the casino. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for later this year, and it is anticipated that work will be finished in 2025.

Michelle Henry Confirmed as Pennsylvania AG Following Josh Shapiro’s Gubernatorial Win

Michelle Henry was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve as the state’s next AG.

AG Henry was nominated by former AG Josh Shapiro to serve out the remainder of his term after he was elected Governor of Pennsylvania. AG Henry previously served as First Deputy Attorney General under former AG Shapiro.

Prior to her service in the AG’s office, AG Henry served as the Bucks County District Attorney, where she focused many of her efforts on children’s advocacy.

Breadwinners: Here’s the Best Way to Protect Your Most Valuable Asset

By Bob Wilkowski Special to The Cardinal

For “working stiffs” like you and me, what is our most valuable asset? You may be surprised to know it’s not our house, savings account, or IRA. Instead, it’s our ability to earn a living. After all, without our income, we likely couldn’t pay the mortgage, provide for our loved ones, or save for retirement. As with the house, automobile, and other assets, you need insurance to protect your ability to earn a living. The best way to do that is with disability insurance.

Disability Insurance is a contract that provides a source of income when an injury or illness keeps a person out of work. It allows you to pay your everyday living expenses like the mortgage, utilities, groceries, and child care. After all, when you’re disabled, your earnings stop… but your bills don’t.

Disability insurance doesn’t get the attention it deserves, as a lack of education has led to several popular misconceptions.

• The odds of me suffering a disability are slim to none. I wish that were the case, but the data suggests otherwise. For example, a recent study by the Social Security Administration found that, during their working lifetime, 25% of Americans will be out of work for at least one year because of a disability.

• I’ll get benefits from social security, so I don’t need disability insurance. While Social Security has a disability program, it’s difficult to receive benefits from it. To qualify, you must be unable to perform the duties of any occupation. On the other hand, disability insurance has a much less stringent requirement: the inability to perform the duties of just your own occupation.

• I have workers’ compensation, so I don’t need disability insurance. It’s true that workers’ compensation insurance often replaces lost wages, but only when you become disabled as a direct result of your job. By contrast, disability insurance is comprehensive, as it covers illnesses and injuries that occur both on and off the job.

• Disability insurance is too expensive. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to protect your most valuable asset. As a rule of thumb, the cost of disability insurance is just one to three percent of your earnings. So, if you’re making $60,000 a year (or $5,000 a month), you can expect to pay about $50 to $150 a month.

If you’re a breadwinner, your most valuable asset is the ability to earn a living. The best way to protect this asset is with disability insurance. It provides a source of income when an injury or illness keeps you out of work.

As the owner of Insurity Street, Bob Wilkowski navigates individuals on the road to financial security by offering insurance products such as Life, Disability, Long-Term Care, and Medicare. With over 25 years of consulting experience and access to dozens of highly-rated insurance carriers, Bob strives to give his clients the best coverage for their needs and budget.

Daniel P. Martin, a resident of Allentown, Pa., has joined Grim, Biehn & Thatcher as a full-time associate in the firm’s municipal law department. photo courtesy of Grim, Biehn & Thatcher

Senator Steve Santarsiero News and Events

Legislative Coffee and Conversation

Join Senator Steve Santarsiero on Friday, April 14th, from 9-10 am for his Legislative Coffee and Conversation at the Central Bucks Senior Activity Center. The Senator will be sharing an update on important issues affecting the district and updates from Harrisburg and will be answering your questions. Coffee and bagels will be provided.

RSVP: www.senatorstevesantarsiero. com/event/legislativecoffee

Learn How to Plan & Save for College on April 20th

It is never too early, or too late, to plan for college! On Thursday, April 20th I’m hosting my annual College Financial Planning Night, along with Rep. Tim Brennan at Central Bucks West High School at 7pm. Whether you have a senior in high school or a child in pre-school, this event will help you prepare for the future.

At the event you’ll learn about:

• The 4 types of financial aid available for students/parents

• How to find the best school for your student

• The Keystone Scholars Program & PA 529 accounts

• What catches the eye of college admissions officers

• The best ways to plan and save for college

RSVP: www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com/ event/college-seminar

High School Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Events

Do you know a high school student who needs community service volunteer hours? Actively participating in community events is a great way to build leadership skills and foster connections that are helpful for future career building. My office is recruiting student volunteers to help at our upcoming events. If you have a student who would like to sign up to volunteer, reach out to Nancy Adam (nancy.adam@pasenate.com) or call 215-497-9490 or 215-489-5000.

Historic African Methodist Episcopal Church Receives Check

On February 17th, I presented The Gather Place with a check for $50,000 in state funds dedicated to the renovation of the historic African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church located in Yardley Borough. Securing these funds ensures that an important part of our community’s history will be preserved for all to enjoy now and in the future.

As of March, construction has officially begun on the new roof. This is just the beginning of the work that Gather Place’s conservator and dedicated team of volunteers plan to do. I am excited to see the completed roof and what the future holds for this important yet forgotten piece of Yardley Borough’s history.

To learn more about the Gather Place, its mission, and community engagement opportunities, go to https://gatherplace.org

More Than $1,000,000 in State Funds for Projects

Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Tim Brennan (D-29) announced a total of $1,193,959 in state funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Local Share Account Statewide Program for community improvement projects based in Doylestown and Solebury townships.

The projects and the awarded amounts are as follows:

Bucks County: $1,000,000 for Neshaminy Manor Property Improvements

Solebury Township: $193,959 for Intersection Upgrades at Route 202 and Lower Mountain Road

Bucks County will use the funds for the construction and engineering costs involved with the demolition of the former Neshaminy Manor structure in Doylestown

Township and hazardous materials abatement at the site. Since closing its doors in 1999, Neshaminy Manor has been left vacant due to the level of deterioration and presence of hazardous building materials within the structure.

The funds for Solebury Township will go toward improving traffic conditions and safety at the intersection of Route 202 and Lower Mountain Road, adjacent to Aquetong Spring Park. The upgrades include widening Route 202 to three lanes and creating a left-turn median lane.

Mark Baum Baicker, Chair of Solebury Township Board of Supervisors expressed his appreciation for the funding saying, “This grant for intersection improvement will go a long way toward helping Solebury Township accomplish our goal of increased pedestrian and motorist safety in the area around Aquetong Spring Park. We are grateful to Senator Santarsiero and Representative Brennan for their efforts in obtaining these needed funds.”

The funds come from the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. They support a variety of community projects and can be used for any project that serves the public interest and improves the quality of life for members of the community.

For more information on the Local Share Account Statewide Program, visit the DCED website.

BUCKS COUNTY GEMS