WEALTH MADE AND MANAGED in Media
DANE
Kids & PetsI Love This Issue
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the love I have for pets. My first job was in a Newtown Square pet store dog grooming business which I soon transferred to my own home (thanks, Mom.) People often wonder how I get along with any animal so well - it's a thing.
I force my poor publisher/husband to go horseback riding on most vacations we go on. I love that the stables often offer me a job. And, I do smile as my bear of a husband gets on a horse just for me.
I can't drive through our wonderful town without seeing people walking their dogs with kids in tow. It always makes me smile. Dogs are a bundle of unconditional love.
There's a saying that goes "Your friend maybe someone who you would have a beer with, but would you leave your puppy with him/her?" In this issue, you'll see our local business owners and their pets and learn about our local cat hospital and their loving veterinarian. (And yes, I trust my kitty in her hands.)
And children - I grew up 10 years older than my first sibling (now 4 of them) and was a built-in baby sitter. We got dirty a lot and played a lot. (I learned how to quiet crying babies very quickly - lots of distraction works.) I did a lot of baby sitting newborns for neighbors - little delicate people you can't help but love and take care of.
There’s something profoundly fulfilling about spending time with kids. Their boundless energy and curiosity remind me to look at the world with wonder. They have this incredible ability to turn the most mundane activities into grand adventures. A simple box can be endless creations.
Doing things with kids and pets has a way of bringing us back to now. It’s in these moments that we feel most connected to ourselves and to the world around us. They teach us patience, responsibility, and most importantly, love in its purest form.
This issue, we take a look at fun things for kids and pets and some adorable pictures.
Much Support,
KARIN DAVIDSON, EDITOR @MEDIACITYLIFESTYLE
PUBLISHER
Scott Davidson | scott.davidson@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Karin Davidson | karin.davidson@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Cheyenne Forbes cheyenne.forbes@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Stephanie Hwang | shh297@nyu.edu
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cheyenne Forbes, Karin Davidson
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Karin Davidson, Evan Mader August 2024
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
Besides the awesome location this stunning 5 bedroom 3.5 bath new home is situated on a dream lot containing 4.8 acres that are both open & wooded. There was no expense spared in the features such as the custom cabinetry by Chester County Kitchen & Baths, Wolf Commercial Range, Subzero with matching custom panels, Rohl, Brizo and Kohler plumbing fixtures with gorgeous quartz and quartzite counter tops that will impress even the most discerning buyers. Don't miss this unbelievable o ering of a fabulous home crafted by Westfield Construction Company & interior design by Z. Domus of Malvern.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Thanks to our servicemen and women.. Service dogs help with PTSD and more. Serviceman Rick with Opal 2: Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity about to join the Media Memorial Day parade 3: Enjoying the festivities: Carmelita & John Bautista with Grandson Christian Beam 4: Fox 29 News reporter, Ellen Kolodziej, with Memorial Day parade attendees and cameraman Rob DeMaria 5: Girl Scouts supporting our troops: Brynn Vidovich & Kinsley Tremblay, Girl Scout Troop 5013 6: Fred Ulmer American Legion Post 93 7: John and Diana Dussling enjoying the Memorial Day remembrance Photography by Karin Davidson
business monthly
Barking Dog Garden Patio offer French Inspired Raclette Dinners
Owner/Chef Dan McKenna, now offers a Raclette Dining experience. Raclette is a semi-hard cheese melted and placed atop your choice of a variety of proteins (pork, fish, beef, or poultry) along with potatoes and vegetables. Chef also offers a variety of cheeses. The dish originated in Switzerland, but variations are a favorite of the French. The garden patio is open Wed. & Friday’s throughout the summer. This hidden garden gem is behind Media Real Estate at 203 E. Baltimore Ave. barkingdoggp.com
Cookie Plug Opens first Pennsylvania location in Media
Entrepreneurs Khaled Salem and Amany Elgarhy of Glen Mills opened cookie shop, Cookie Plug, on Sate Street in June. One of America’s fastest-growing concepts, Cookie Plug offers amazing, high-quality cookies with a lively, hip-hop inspired theme. Cookie Plug features flavors, using names like Pixie Junkie, Barn Bam, Snooperdoodle and Chocolate XTC. The extra-large cookies are baked fresh on-site daily. cookieplug.com
Gibbons Automotive acquires Suburban Motors Auto Body Shop
Gibbons Automotive recently acquired Suburban Motors of Media, a full service auto body shop. Russell Straut, owner of the 60 year old family owned body shop, retired in 2024. Gibbons welcomed the opportunity to add a complimentary service to his already established automotive repair business. This expands expertise to include scratch and dent repair up to full collision and paint services on auto insurance claims. gibbonsautomotive.com
ARTICLE BY KARIN DAVIDSON
Local Beloved Pets Businesses’
1 - BRYAN SHROUDS | SENIORS HELPING SENIORS
Left to Right: Eve the goat, Mason holds Junior the goat, Lilly and pal Thor the dog, Bryan and the family cat Garfield, and finally Riley with Blake the goat along with one of a flock 26 chickens. SHSDelco.com
2 - BRYAN MESSICK | EDWARD JONES
Bryan hams it up for the camera with Kelce (Cavapoo - 5 months,) and Elsa (Bassador - 8 years.) edwardjones.com
3 - DANE CZAPLICKI, CFA | MEMBERS’ WEALTH Katie, Samantha, Kai, and Dane with London (German Short Hair Pointer - 6.5 years.) MembersWealthLLC.com
4 - CHRIS SHIMER | CAPRIOTTI'S SANDWICH SHOP
Capriotti's owner Chris pals around with Siobhan (Labrador/Golden Retriever mix - 9 years.)
order.capriottis.com
5 - DANIEL MORRONI, JR. | MORRONI CUSTOM PAINTING
Dan and daughter Luna relaxing with Levi (Boxer/Shepard/Pitbull Mix - 3 years.)
MorroniCustomPainting.com
6 - KRISTEN LAMANNA | RIDDLE VILLAGE: LUXURY RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Kristen (Director of Marketing) with husband Michael and son Anthony with Mako, their Labrador Retriever(age 6.) RiddleVillage.com
7 - JESSICA MARIN | ECLIPSE COSMETIC TATTOO
Jessica Marin of Eclipse Cosmetic Tattoo, and her cat Jay Stoops who loves his Moon Perch. EclipseCosmeticTattoo.com
8 - DR. KATHRYN HALL, MD | FELLFOOT LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
Dr. Kathryn with her feline friend River. An American Domestic Shorthair (6 years.) FellFoot.com
9 - GEOFF HARPER | HARPER PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Owner Geoff Harper with Tyson, 8 week old Pitbull (one of four family dogs.) HarperAndSonsLLC.com
10 - GARY SCHEIVERT | BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY
Gary's son Paul and daughter Brynn with their horse, Moon. GaryScheivertAssociates.com
Capturing Our Heart's Essence
Eszter's Passion Is To Create Timeless and Beautiful Photos of You and Your Little Ones
Eszter Toth excels at capturing the essence of childhood. Specializing in family, maternity, and newborn photography, her work is distinguished by its warmth and natural beauty. Her cozy studio in Media is a haven where families preserve cherished memories. Eszter’s patience and playful approach result in natural, candid shots that tell a story. Her relaxed sessions allow genuine expressions and connections to shine through, resulting in timeless, deeply personal images.
“I have always loved photography and was drawn to art from a young age. After becoming a mother, I found an even greater appreciation for capturing life’s precious moments. My focus is on preserving both the big and small memories, as these mundane moments will become the greatest memories of your life.”
esztertothphotography.com
ARTICLE BY KARIN DAVIDSON |
PHOTOGRAPHY
COURTESY OF
Children LOVE U-PICK
BRING THE KIDS OUT TO MEDIA’S INDIAN ORCHARDS FOR HAND-PICKED ORGANIC FRUIT AND VEGGIES
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE HWANG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARIN DAVIDSON
Baby Max Picking Blueberries
Isla & Alexander Baer
Pick Your Own Strawberries!
Indian Orchards is a fifth-generation, family-owned, 36-acre organic farm established in 1913 in Media. It is a place to experience the joys of farming, connect with the land, and be a part of the local community. They provide fresh, sustainably grown produce year-round and a unique pickyour-own fruit experience seasonally. Depending on the season, visitors can pick a variety of fruits, including apples, peaches, pears, plums, figs, and berries. The pick-your-own fruit season opens in June through late November or early December. The farmstand is open 10-6 daily and sells fresh produce including vegetables,
firewood, jams and jellies, local raw honey, eggs, and pickles, and there is no admission to shop at the store.
Indian Orchards has a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, where members can purchase shares of the farm’s harvest. This program allows customers to receive a regular supply of fresh, seasonal produce. It supports the farm to make repairs, planting and protecting the plants, and paying the workers. Full Shares are picked up weekly and Half Shares are picked up every other week at the farm in mid-June to October.
The farm was awarded Century Farm by the Department of Agriculture of Pennsylvania in 2013. During the Japanese American War in
the early 1940’s, the farm was a refuge and a place to establish livelihood for the formerly interned Japanese, who worked on the farm (according to phillyorchards.org) In 1981, the property became officially recognized as a historic property by the Middle Township Land Conservancy. The property’s history goes far beyond the farm’s 100 years, as early as 1794 when the historic barn house was built.
The latest generation of the Bernhardt proprietors are Gaile and Ben Bernardt – a wonderful loving, friendly couple. They are very attentive and love to show you around and answer your and your children’s questions.
indianorchardsfarm.com
Alexander Baer & Martin Murray Display Their Picks
Gather Around the Playful Bear
Inside the Farm Stand
The Farm Stand is Open!
Have Your Birthday at the Orchard!
ARTICLE BY KARIN DAVIDSON
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HKRS MOMS
KIDS RUN FOR HEALTH AND FUN
OUR LOCAL SPRING AND FALL RACES HAVE BEEN RUN AT ROSE TREE PARK SINCE 2011, MAKING THIS THEIR 28TH SEASON
The Healthy Kids Running Series is a national non-profit whose mission is to engage communities and families by providing an inclusive youth running experience, inspiring kids to believe in themselves and lead an active healthy lifestyle. The five-week program for Pre-K through 8th grade takes place once a week and offers age-appropriate running events. Kids earn points for each race they complete. “Our kids have participated in these races since they were little and have loved them,” professes Katie Legrand, mother of 2 runners.
healthykidsrunningseries.org/find-a-race
KARIN DAVIDSON
Take The Kid's Out Shopping!
GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL
A Day Out With The Kids: Fun, Family-Friendly Local Retail Destinations
Goldfish Swim School offers swimming lessons for children aged four months to 12 years. Their programs are designed to teach children how to swim and build confidence in the water through a fun and safe environment. goldfishswimschool.com/media
INDIAN ORCHARDS
Indian Orchards is a family-owned farm providing fresh produce, pick-your-own fruit experiences, and a place to host special events. It has been serving the community for over 110 years with organically grown fruits and vegetables. indianorchardsfarm.com
HOMESEWN
Homesewn offers a diverse selection of crafts and materials. You can find fabrics and yarns for sewing, knitting, or crocheting here. They also offer classes and workshops, including summer camp and kids classes. shophomesewn.com
Top Left: Goldfish Swim School - 1117 W Baltimore Pike Suite C, Media | Middle: Indian Orchards - 29 Copes Ln, Media | Top Right: Homesewn - 21 E State St,
Bottom Right: Scooped Ice Cream and Gelato - 25 W State St, Media
GAME & DVD EXCHANGE
Game & DVD Exchange is a homegrown Delco business that has been around for over 20 years. They pride themselves on curating a collection for gamers young and old and they’ve become a frequent stop for younger guests who want to trade Pokemon cards, browse retro games, or just hang out and discuss their favorite games. gamendvd.com
SCOOPED ICE CREAM AND GELATO
Scooped Ice Cream is known for their home-made ice cream, gelato, and sorbet, handmade daily. They offer gourmet flavors made from organic dairy. Shop for records at Back Room Records inside Scooped. tinyurl.com/MediaScoops
KANDY KIDS TOYS & GIFTS
Kandy Kids Toys & Gifts has a wide selection of toys, games, and gifts for children of all ages. For over 8 years, they’ve focused on providing unique and educational children’s products. tinyurl.com/KandyKids
LITTLE PEOPLE’S CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE
Little People’s Consignment Boutique sells new and gently
used children’s clothing, shoes, toys, accessories, and furniture. They provide an affordable shopping option for families. facebook.com/LittlePeoplesConsignment
GAME ON STATE
Game On State is an old-time arcade offering both nostalgic and modern gaming experiences. It’s a popular spot for family fun and parties. They have a selection of over 350 types of candy. gameonstate.com
BIZZY’S BABY BOUTIQUE
Bizzy’s Baby Boutique offers a curated selection of baby clothing, accessories, and essentials. The boutique focuses on high-quality and stylish items for newborns through size 8. Open daily. bizzysbabyboutique.com
COOKIE PLUG
Cookie Plug is a bakery specializing in cookie stacks – part cookie, part cake, and part brownie. They offer freshly baked cookies in a range of flavors, inspired by street art, graffiti, and hip hop. Open daily. cookieplug.com/bakery-in-media-pa
Top Left: Kandy Kids Toys & Gifts - 5 S Chester Rd, Swarthmore | Middle: Little People’s Consignment Boutique - 27 E State St, Media
Top Right: Game On
Kids' Educational Funtime: Eli Catches Bugs
FROM LIFE TO PAGES: CRAFTING
EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING CHILDREN'S
BOOKS
Sometimes, outdoor creatures can be intimidating. Don’t bee afraid— bee curious like Eli in Eli and the Bug Catcher written by Danielle Kaplan.
The idea hatched during the COVID-19 pandemic when Danielle and her family were sheltering in place. They spent alot of time outside.
“My youngest son really took to capturing lightning bugs in the bug catcher,” says Danielle. “It just brought him so much joy, but it also came with many questions.” Those questions became inspiration for her books.
The storylines are about a curious boy who learns about bugs through various members of his community. In this first book, Eli learns all about bees from his mother.
She offers this message, “Let’s take a look at this bug. Let’s learn about this bug. Let’s talk about it. So the message is, it’s good to learn” - and be curious.
“Bugs can be scary right? I know I get scared when I see spiders, for example,” Danielle explains. “How do we normalize bugs? They’re very important in our ecosystem.”
For anyone wanting to write, Danielle says, “It sounds cliché, but having a supportive network behind you...it really helps.”
Danielle found an illustrator, Lindley Wiesner, who was involved in the process. “She helped me in so many ways; just a sense of stability, partnership—there’s some accountability there too.”
Danielle and her family love living in Media, “We saw an article 13 years ago about Media, so we just drove out here, and had lunch in town. And we fell in love with it. We’ve lived here ever since.”
ARTICLE BY CHEYENNE FORBES | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DANIELLE KAPLAN
Danielle Kaplan, Author of Eli and the Bug Catcher
ARTICLE BY CHEYENNE FORBES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARIN DAVIDSON
THE CAT HOSPITAL OF MEDIA: A PURR-FECT BLEND OF CARE, COMPASSION, AND KNOWLEDGE
EXPERT LOVING HEALTHCARE
Dr. Christine and Assistant Felipe
Dedicated to giving cats exceptional veterinary care, The Cat Hospital of Media prioritizes feline comfort and wellbeing. With services like in-house labs, sick visits and surgeries, dentistry, and the popular kitty hotel, you can rest assured that your kitty is in good hands.
It truly takes a compassionate and knowledgeable person to care for a cat when they’re ill, and The Cat Hospital of Media has no shortage of veterinary technicians and assistants willing to do everything in their power to nurse our furry feline companions back to health.
Dr. Christine Bohn Kirnos, VMD, CVA, owner and medical director explains, “The team we have has been with us for a very long time. So the years that they have under their belt, taking care of cats is just phenomenal. They've stayed with us. And we have so many staff that have been with us for more than 10 years.”
The hospital has a full in-house laboratory suite where they can analyze a cat’s blood work, urine, and cytology.
“We have a chemistry analyzer which can look at liver and kidney function, electrolytes, thyroid status,” Dr. Kirnos explains. “We can do cytology—so if your kitty has a mass or a lump or a bump, we can put a needle in that, get some cells and look at it under the microscope right there.” CONTINUED >
The Cat Hospital of Media
The lab also uses AI technology to analyze hundreds of images of urine which usually, Dr. Kirnos would need to examine underneath a microscope, "I can see these images that I normally would have to look at under a microscope right there on the computer screen." This allows for quick diagnosis without the need to send out samples.
If the lab found crystals or stones in your cat's urine. The next step would be cystotomy, a surgery performed under anesthesia. The Cat Hospital of Media has a full surgery suite where they can perform any surgery needed.
“We'll do things from mass removals to bladder stone removals and cancer removal. I've taken out kidneys, spleens…” Dr. Kirnos informs. “Everything that you and I would have done for surgery as far as preoperative care and monitoring, we'd provide the same service for the cats.”
The hospital also sees cats for wellness visits and checkups - saving daily appointments for same day urgent cases..
Paul Kirnos, owner and hospital manager, notes that dental work is one of the most common procedures that they do, “Unfortunately, kitties notoriously have bad teeth.”
The hospital has a dedicated dentistry suite with digital dental x-rays and ultrasonic scaler. When cats come in for dentistry, their teeth are scaled and polished, they get a full oral exam, full dental x-rays, and they're all evaluated by the veterinarian in charge of the case.
“It really is exactly what you and I have when we go to the dentist. And just
Dr. Christine and Paul Kirnos
Analyzing
KITTY COMFORT WAS PRIORITY IN BUILDING THEIR FACILITY
as important as it is for us to keep our teeth clean for overall health, it's just as important in cats,” Paul explains. The difference between people and felines is that cats need to be put under anesthesia for their procedures.
Kitty comfort was the priority in building their facility. A unique offering is the Kitty Hotel, designed with feline comfort and needs in mind. The colors in the boarding facility are pastel colors – even the ceilings. According to Dr. Kirnos pastels are soothing for cats. They also can’t see other cats and have enough space for them to relax, get some privacy, eat, and use the litter box. The new hospital was one of only 5 national Merit winners for showcasing veterinary hospital design from DVM360 magazine. DVM360 covers the latest news, insights, products, research and regulations for veterinary professionals.
The Cat Hospital of Media is special to both Dr. Christine and Paul Kirnos as Media is a special place for them. The two lived in Philadelphia for over 10 years and were considering a new place to live.
“We really loved living in the city... where we could walk to restaurants and walk down the street and go to shops. And we really wanted something better for our kids,” Dr. Kirnos says. “We wanted a better school system and still have that convenience of going to restaurants and walking to shops. Media was just the perfect fit.”
thecathospitalofmedia.com
Surgery Facilities and Experience
Taking Care of Kittens
Dr. Christine assisted by Caroline
JULY 24TH – AUGUST 11TH
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
HEDGEROW THEATRE, 64 ROSE VALLEY RD., MEDIA, PA 19063
Hedgerow & Mauckingbird Theatre Companies team up to present a reimagining of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as a modern tale of young love, directed by Peter Reynolds. Experience this classic tale considered to be one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. hedgerowtheatre.org
AUGUST 15TH
Dining with the Cars – Car Show
GIBBONS AUTOMOTIVE, 502 W. BALTIMORE AVE., MEDIA, PA 19063 | 6:00 PM
Your host Gibbons Automotive and New Image Auto detailing invite you to enjoy and evening of music, food and cars. Featuring the area’s finest classic, muscle, exotic, collectible, sports cars and bikes. Admission is FREE and open to the public. gibbonsautomotive.com
PARTY SHARK JAW JUICE
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY KARIN DAVIDSON
Chomp into Fun: A Yummy Drink and Bite the Swimming Sharks Before They Bite YOU!
EVERYONE LOVES A PARTY! If your child - or you - are a shark lover (even if it's a stuffed animal,) then you'll love Party Shark Jaw Juice. Non-alcoholic for kids or add vodka for adults.
Many people find sharks to be incredibly fascinating and unique creatures - moving quietly and gracefully through the water. Did you know sharks also promote bio-diversity? Sharks are apex predators which actually increase the wildlife diversity of the ecosystems they live in.
Make a pitcher and have the kids put their ice, sharks, and straws in!
Ingredients for one drink:
• 4oz Hawaiian Punch Polar Blast Citrus Splash (or any lighter blue punch)
• 4oz Lemon-Lime Soda
• 5-7 Gummy Sharks (can be found on Amazon)
• Ice Cubes
• (Optional) Straws, shark straw tips, and shark or ocean themed cups.
Instructions:
Step 1. Fill cup with ice cubes.
Step 2. Position the sharks in the ice. (The cubes can hold them in place.)
Step 3. Pour the punch and soda half and half in the cup.
Step 4. Add a straw and a shark tip.
Ingredients for Party Shark Jaw Juice
Martin(L) & Ben (R) Murray Having Fun
A LIFESTYLE You’ve Waited For!
Education, business meetings, maintaining a home, raising a family, making sacrifices…you spent a lifetime doing it all to get where you are today.
Now it’s time to think about your future!
With amenities and services that include weekly housekeeping, home maintenance, a dining plan that gives you access to four restaurants and a full-service bar, state-of-the-art fitness center, transportation, our Lifecare contract and so much more; Riddle Village may be the perfect fit for your next chapter in life.
You give us 60 days; we give you the future you deserve!
Reach out today to learn more about our apartment renovation program and how we can have you living your best life in just 60 days.
