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New Hope &Solebury

SEPTEMBER 2026

STILL GROWING THE EVOLUTION OF SOLEBURY ORCHARDS

CANAL KEEPERS

THE STEWARDS WHO PROTECT THE WATERWAY

Crafting a Legacy

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Contents SEPTEMBER 2026

18 F EATU RES

Crafting a Legacy

At the wooded Solebury campus her father created, Mira Nakashima carries George Nakashima’s vision forward through craftsmanship, community, and reverence for the natural world. 18

Still Growing

For 40 years, Solebury Orchards has grown from one farmer’s leap of faith into a community tradition shaped by the people behind it. 22

Along nearly 60 miles of historic waterway, a dedicated network of stewards helps protect the Delaware Canal, one section at a time.

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Canal Keepers

I N TH I S I S SU E

PUBLISHER’S NOTE A Season to Savor

LOCAL PULSE Bite-Sized Updates

Q&A Mayor Frank DeLuca

LOCAL TASTES Cream of the Crop

LOCAL ARTS Stage Presence

BOOK NOOK Close to Home

PHOTO OP A Flash of Color

COVER

Mira Nakashima in her studio Photograph by Juan Vidal Photography

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PUB LISH ER’S NOTE

SEPTEMBER HAS always felt like “the

most wonderful time of the year” to me. I love the transition from warm and sunny to cool and crisp days. After the challenging summer weather of heat and rain, I’m hoping for a beautiful fall season ahead of us. In this issue, we’re honored to share our visit with Mira Nakashima and a glimpse of the beauty we experienced firsthand at her design studio. Being surrounded by Mira’s warmth, alongside gorgeous wood tones and exquisite textures, felt like bringing the outdoors inside—a perfect feeling for fall. Mira is an inspiration on so many levels that it was difficult to condense her story and photos into these pages. Mira; her husband, Jon; and their team graciously opened their hearts and workshop to share the magic that happens as they honor her father’s design past while creating current works that remain everlasting. When I think of fall, orchards and apple picking immediately come to mind. In our communities, a visit to

PHOTOGRAPH BY JUAN VIDAL PHOTOGRAPHY

A SEASON TO SAVOR

Solebury Orchards is akin to a rite of passage. Walking among the beautifully tended rows of apples and peaches, one feels the magic all around. Despite Mother Nature’s challenges this year, Brian Smith and his team have worked hard to keep a variety of products available. (I recommend the iced cider.) We want to continue supporting our local farms and orchards by celebrating the people, traditions, and products that make them special. Another intrinsic part of our community fabric is the Delaware Canal. Whether walking, biking, or just slowly meandering, we all enjoy the beauty of the canal and its incredible surroundings. That beauty doesn’t happen by accident. The canal is cared for and preserved through the work of the Friends of the Delaware Canal and the exceptional leadership of Executive Director Michael Ginder. We’re delighted to highlight the Canal Tenders, volunteers who oversee sections of the canal and help ensure it remains at its best. In this issue, you’ll learn more about the important role these dedicated stewards play in preserving one of our community’s greatest treasures. We also are blessed with an abundance of fabulous theater in our region. This month, we welcome Alexander Fraser, former producing director of Bucks County Playhouse, as a guest writer to share what’s ahead on local stages this fall. Caleb’s American Kitchen shares how to make the most of the season’s corn crop, and as always, Buffy Hastings of Farley’s Bookshop shares his picks for great fall reads. I hope you enjoy the season ahead! And please be sure to say “hello” if you see me in the neighborhood! Warmly,

Laura Lazar

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Editor Lela Casey Lela.Casey@wainscotmedia.com Writers Alexander Fraser Buffy Hastings Caleb Lentchner Photographers Jennifer Janikic Photography Juan Vidal Photography WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden SVP, Group Publisher Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Art Director Rosemary O’Connell Executive Editor Elaine Quilici Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Operations Director Catherine Rosario Production Designer Chris Ferrante Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

Publisher

newhopeandsoleburymag.com @newhopeandsoleburymag

Have a story idea?

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Publisher Laura Lazar Laura.Lazar@wainscotmedia.com

Email the editor: Lela.Casey@wainscotmedia.com

New Hope & Solebury magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of New Hope and Solebury Township, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

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your fall escape, closer than you think

A change of scenery doesn’t have to mean going far. Enjoy an overnight stay at River House and experience New Hope with one of our curated overnight packages. Crisp autumn days, seasonal experiences, and a little time away are closer than you think.

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EXPERIENCE LUXURY IN THE HEART OF NEW HOPE

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Silverman Gallery

BUCKS COUNTY IMPRESSIONIST ART

JIM RODGERS

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LOCAL PULSE

PROTECTING OUR SENIORS The River Towns Rotary Club will host “Protecting Our Seniors” on Oct. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the New HopeSolebury High School auditorium. The free forum will bring together a fraud survivor, law enforcement, and other professionals to help older adults, caregivers, and families recognize scams, prevent fraud, report suspected exploitation, and find recovery resources. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Registration is recommended.

A MEETING OF ARTISTIC MINDS Four Bucks County cultural organizations joined forces in July for the inaugural “Oscar, James and Pearl” initiative. The series of four free programs celebrated the lives and legacies of Oscar Hammerstein II, James A. Michener, and Pearl S. Buck. Presented by Bucks County Playhouse, Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center, Michener Art Museum, and Pearl S. Buck International, the series explored local history, music, art, and the figures’ shared cultural and humanitarian influence. Board members from all four organizations gathered to celebrate the initiative’s successful conclusion July 29 at Pearl S. Buck International.

NEW POLO EVENT COMES TO TOWN

EXPLORE THE ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL

On Sept. 12, from noon to 6 p.m., New Hope Celebrates brings Pride Polo to Tinicum Park Polo Club in Erwinna. The inaugural event welcomes the Gay Polo League for an afternoon of polo, Pride, and community, with the first match beginning at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit New Hope Celebrates and the Gay Polo League.

The 32nd annual New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival returns Sept. 26 and 27 to New Hope-Solebury High School. More than 160 juried artists and craftspeople will showcase painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography, fiber art, and more, alongside live music, food vendors, and children’s art activities. The outdoor festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 26, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 27, rain or shine.

A GATSBY-STYLE ARTS GALA On Sept. 17, from 6 to 10 p.m., New Hope Arts hosts “Flappers & Fine Art” at Aldie Mansion in Doylestown. The annual fundraiser invites guests to step back into the Roaring ’20s for a speakeasy-inspired evening benefiting New Hope Arts and its programming.

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A Civic Journey From rookie cop to mayor, Frank DeLuca continues to make his mark on New Hope. BY STAFF WRITER What was your path to New Hope? I grew up in Feasterville with five brothers. My mother always wanted a daughter, but she had to settle for a Labrador retriever. I graduated from Neshaminy High School in 1975 and joined the Army the following year. I wanted to become a military police officer, but I was 5-foot-6 and the minimum height was 5-foot-9. The recruiter told me to stretch. I said, “How am I supposed to stretch three more inches?” So I became a military intelligence analyst instead. After the Army, I returned to Pennsylvania, worked in security, and heard about an opening with the New Hope

Police Department. I joined when I was about 23 and served for 34 years.

What is one story you still tell from your police career? I was only a few months on the job when I got a call that the mayor of New Hope had been robbed at the Logan Inn. The suspect had crossed into Lambertville, New Jersey, where I found him near the bridge. He denied knowing anything, and then I started pulling the stolen money out of his shirt. The newspaper headline was something like, “Rookie Cop Nabs New Hope Mayor’s Robber.” I certainly never imagined that rookie cop would become mayor himself.

INTERVIEW WITH

AFTER 34 YEARS with the New Hope Police Department, Frank DeLuca is continuing a lifetime of local service as New Hope’s mayor, with a focus on community, thoughtful development, and preserving the town’s distinctive character. Here’s what he has to say about his journey and current role.

Frank DeLuca is sworn in as mayor of New Hope.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FRANK DELUCA

FRANK DELUCA

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Above: Mayor Frank DeLuca with his husband, Dr. Rey Velasco Right: Frank DeLuca volunteering with members of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church during its annual cleanup of Route 32 Bottom left: Frank DeLuca (right) collecting donations for the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church food pantry Bottom right: Frank DeLuca volunteers at a monthly dinner for neighbors impacted by HIV/AIDS or food insecurity, hosted by Trinity Episcopal Church Solebury, Trinity Buckingham Episcopal Church, and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.

How would you describe your approach to policing? I always tried to treat people the way I would want to be treated. In 34 years, I never had to use a baton, mace, or Taser. I believed in talking to people and calming situations whenever possible.

Tree Commission, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and programs that helped seniors with rides and errands. Running for mayor felt like a continuation of that service. I first ran four years ago and lost by seven votes. I kept knocking on doors and stayed involved.

What made you decide to run for mayor? My husband served on Borough Council for 12 years, and I attended many meetings with him. I watched what was happening and thought, “I could do that job. I think I’d be a good mayor.” I had also volunteered through the Shade

What are some of your priorities as mayor? I would like to see more bicycle and foot patrols downtown on busy weekends. Officers should be visible, talking with people, and helping pedestrians navigate crowded streets. I also want

to reduce single-use plastics, preserve historic homes, and keep new development appropriate to New Hope’s scale. We should welcome visitors without losing the town’s character. What do you hope never changes about New Hope? The characters and the small-town feeling. As a police officer, I knew the people, the buildings, and practically every house. New Hope has changed, but I hope we never lose that familiarity and sense of connection. What would your perfect day in New Hope look like? My husband and I would walk into town, have a meal at one of our favorite restaurants—Martine’s RiverHouse, Karla’s, or The Cub Room—and browse the shops. Every restaurant and store has its own personality, so there is always something new to discover. I would also spend time in Lenape Park. I love that New Hope still feels like a place where you can walk around, see familiar faces, and feel connected to the community. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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LOCAL TASTES

Cream of the Crop Celebrate the final weeks of summer with delicious seasonal recipes that incorporate fresh corn. BY CALEB LENTCHNER THERE ARE PLENTY of reasons to love late summer, but for me, it all comes down to one thing: fresh local corn. Every August, I start counting the days until the first ears arrive at area farm stands. Bucks County grows some of the sweetest, juiciest corn anywhere, thanks to rich soil, warm days, and cool nights. For the best smoky, caramelized flavor, I prefer grilling corn without the husks. Lightly oil the grill grates, place the ears directly over the heat, and turn the cobs every minute or two until each side develops golden-brown char marks. Once cool, stand each ear upright, then carefully slice the kernels from the cob. Grilled corn works beautifully in salsas, salads, and more. One of my favorite recipes is Mexican Street Corn Salad, which we feature at Caleb’s American Kitchen from late August through September. To customize the salad to your own tastes, try making it at home by starting with this basic recipe and adjusting the ingredient to your own taste.

INGREDIENTS • Mixed greens • Fresh tomatoes • Cotija cheese (feta makes a great substitute) • Street Corn (see recipe) • Diced cucumber • Thinly sliced watermelon radish (or any fresh radish) • Lime Crema Dressing (see recipe) • Grilled chicken, salmon, or pork tenderloin (optional) DIRECTIONS Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and gently toss with the Lime Crema Dressing until everything is lightly coated. Top with grilled chicken, salmon, or pork tenderloin for a heartier meal.

STREET CORN INGREDIENTS • Olive oil • ½ cup diced red bell pepper • ½ cup diced green bell pepper • ½ jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (or a pinch of cayenne pepper)

LIME CREMA DRESSING •½ cup diced red onion • 2 cups grilled corn kernels • 1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped • 1 teaspoon chili powder • P inch of sea salt • 1 lime, zested and juiced

DIRECTIONS Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Cook the peppers and onion until softened, about five minutes. Add the corn and cook for another minute. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the cilantro, chili powder, salt, and lime zest and juice while the mixture is still warm. Serve warm or chilled.

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup mayonnaise • 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt • 1 cup buttermilk • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped • 1 tablespoon garlic powder • 1 tablespoon onion powder • 1 teaspoon sea salt •½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 lime, juiced DIRECTIONS Whisk all of the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to come together.

Caleb Lentchner is the owner of Caleb’s American Kitchen in Lahaska.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CALEB LENTCHNER

MEXICAN STREET CORN SALAD

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REAL ESTATE REPORT

2026 HOME SALES New Hope & Solebury Township – 07/15/26-08/15/26 Address

Area

Bed

Bath

224 Bobwhite Rd

Solebury

77 Sunset Dr

Solebury

4 Wheatsheaf Ct

Solebury

128 Riverwoods Dr

List Price

Sale Price

Style

DOM

$858,000

$875,000

Colonial

$685,000

$70,000

Ranch

$1,100,000

$1,050,000

Colonial

New Hope

$1,100,000

$1,110,000

Colonial

6103 Upper York Rd

Solebury

$995,000

Colonial

6633 School Ln

Solebury

$3,895,000

$2,600,000

Contemporary

204 Riverwoods Dr

Solebury

$1,175,000

Colonial

13 High Road

Solebury

$1,250,000

$1,282,500

Mid-Century

103 Hidden Ct

New Hope

$975,000

$920,000

Other

71 Covered Bridge Rd

Solebury

$3,195,000

Colonial

2971 Comfort Rd

Solebury

$1,625,000

$1,775,000

Colonial

2752 N Sugan Rd

Solebury

$1,250,000

$1,235,000

Colonial

111 Silver Tail Ln

Solebury

$800,000

Carriage House

6025 Stoney Hill Rd

Solebury

$2,650,000

$2,437,500

Other

3052 River Rd

Solebury

$6,950,000

$6,250,000

Mediterranean

6615 Greenhill Rd

Solebury

$3,600,000

$3,140,000

Other

329

2946 N Sugan Rd

Solebury

$795,000

$750,000

Other

3596 River Rd

Solebury

$1,395,000

$1,250,000

Other

130

The accuracy of the statistical data in this table is not guaranteed by New Hope & Solebury Magazine. 07/15/26-08/15/26.

Brought to you by B&B Luxury Properties New Hope Borough and Solebury Township continue to behave less like a broad suburban marketplace and more like a tightly held collection of luxury micro‑markets, where scarcity, setting, and architectural quality shape outcomes as much as square footage or price point. Pricing remains resilient across 18938, even as the market feels calmer: buyers are more discerning, negotiation has returned in select segments, and days on market now highlight the difference between homes that are thoughtfully priced and presented versus those simply testing the waters. Well‑prepared properties with walkability, river or canal access, acreage, privacy, architectural distinction, or turnkey condition are still moving quickly and commanding premium results, while more ordinary or over‑ambitious listings take longer and invite deeper conversations around value.

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Mira Nakashima inside the Conoid Studio

Crafting a Legacy At the wooded Solebury campus her father created, Mira Nakashima carries George Nakashima’s vision forward through craftsmanship, community, and reverence for the natural world. BY LELA CASEY

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MIRA NAKASHIMA does not command attention in the usual way. Soft-spoken and small in stature, she moves quietly through the wooded Solebury campus her father created, carrying a legacy of extraordinary scale with little interest in personal grandeur. While Mira’s presence may be gentle, her words carry enormous weight among the craftspeople who sustain George Nakashima’s work. She is the living link between her father’s vision and the designers

and craftspeople who continue that work today, preserving a place shaped by reverence for nature, craftsmanship, and spiritual purpose. For designers such as Zane Shalchi, even ordinary tasks can be a reminder of how closely that work remains connected to nature. “It’s just a joy every time we get to wet the wood down and stare at the beautiful colors,” he says. “None of us take it for granted.” At the center of the process is

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for architect Antonin Raymond in India, he became a disciple of spiritual teacher Sri Aurobindo and was drawn to karma yoga, “the yoga of doing,” a spiritual practice rooted in action. “It is a spiritual practice realized through doing something, making things, and putting your spirit into what you’re making,” Mira says. That belief became inseparable from his woodworking, which he saw as a relationship among the tree, designer, craftsperson, and person who would live with it. George later met Marion Okajima in Tokyo. They settled in Seattle, where Mira was born in 1942. While she was still an infant, the family was forced from the West Coast and incarcerated at Minidoka, in the Idaho desert. The upheaval stripped the family of their home and freedom at the beginning of Mira’s life, an experience that would remain part of the family’s story long after they left the camp. There, Japanese carpenter Gentaro Hikogawa taught George about traditional hand tools and joinery. Raymond later helped secure the family’s release and brought them to Bucks County. GROWING UP NAKASHIMA For Mira, Bucks County became home almost immediately. She remembers

Mira Nakashima with her husband, Jon Yarnall

playing in sawdust and making toys from wood scraps. “I didn’t really consider it art,” she says. “It was just stuff that I did.” Before George completed their first house, the Nakashimas lived in a tent without running water. Mira remembers carrying soap to Ingham Creek to wash and being carried across patches of poison ivy by her father. “We lived pretty rough,” she says. After Minidoka, even the hardship carried a sense of joy. In one surviving letter, Marion described the family playing “in the creek

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUAN VIDAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Mira, an architect and designer who returned to New Hope in 1970. Now in her 80s, she continues to design furniture, select wood, and guide the studio’s creative direction. “I never really felt there was a huge difference between what Dad wanted and what I was doing,” she says. “I tried to make sure there wasn’t a huge difference.” THE YOGA OF DOING The calm order of the campus conceals the complicated path by which George arrived at woodworking. Born in Spokane, Washington, in 1905 to Japanese immigrant parents, he studied forestry and architecture before traveling abroad. While working SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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Craftsman Matthew Seezox works on a Nakashima chair.

in the cold, clear water,” adding simply, “We’re free.” Mira’s childhood was also shaped by her godmother, Mildred “Millie” Johnstone, whom she met in a New Hope bookstore. Johnstone invited her home, and Mira’s parents simply let her go. “No toothbrush or anything,” Mira says. When the family had little money, Johnstone became a devoted presence in Mira’s life, arranging lessons and later taking her to the Bach Festival. “Bless her heart,” Mira says. “She just took such good care of me growing up.” Johnstone’s connection to the family continued throughout her life. She eventually had part of her home redesigned and furnished entirely in Nakashima pieces.

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FINDING HER PLACE Gifted in mathematics and fascinated by languages, Mira entered Radcliffe College thinking of studying linguistics, but George had other plans. “My dad said to me, ‘No. You’re going to study architecture,’” she says.

The Conoid Studio at the George Nakashima Woodworkers campus

After graduating from Harvard University in 1963, Mira studied at Waseda University in Japan. Still learning the language and lacking drafting experience, she relied on classmate Tetsu Amagasu for help. Their friendship became a romance—she married her first husband, Amagasu; started a family; and moved to Pittsburgh. Several years later, George invited them back to New Hope. According to Mira, he asked, “Would you like to come home? I’m building you a house. And I bought some land across the road.” Mira’s response was simple: “It was an offer we couldn’t refuse.” When they returned in 1970, Marion put Mira to work typing order cards. Her architectural training soon gave her another role: translating George’s small sketches into detailed drawings the craftspeople could use. Over time, Mira’s work expanded beyond interpreting her father’s designs. The studio continues to make George’s furniture, preserving the forms and philosophy he established, but Mira has also created designs of her own using the same materials, techniques, and attention to each piece of wood. Among them is the Concordia chair, designed with classical musicians in mind and one she considers distinctly her own. She sees her work as part of a tradition

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Jasond Neill, Zane Shalchi, and Mira Nakashima work through the design of a piece.

in which innovation grows from knowledge of what came before. ‘WE’VE GOT TO KEEP GOING’ That long apprenticeship took on new meaning after George’s death in 1990. He left behind a backlog of orders, many well-organized stacks of lumber, and a staff accustomed to his leadership. Suddenly, Mira and the senior craftspeople had to determine how to move forward without him. “The head men in the shop and I looked at each other and said, ‘OK, I guess we’ve got to keep going,’” Mira says. One of the studio’s most daunting commitments was recreating the Nakashima collection of longtime clients Dr. and Mrs. Krosnick after their Princeton home burned down. Mira wanted to fulfill her father’s promise to replace it. The commission became one of her first tests as the studio’s leader. “Mrs. Krosnick was here like every week for three years,” Mira says. “It was really good training for me because it was right after Dad passed away, and I thought, Mrs. Krosnick is my trainer. I have to learn how to be patient.’” THE WORK CONTINUES More than three decades later, Mira remains closely involved in design and

wood selection. Her second husband, longtime Nakashima chairmaker Jonathan “Jon” Yarnall, is also part of the studio community. Preserving George’s legacy means protecting not only George’s furniture forms but the intention behind them, while leaving room for the work to evolve. “The workers are working in harmony with the designers, and the designers are working in harmony with our clients,” Mira says. “There is a certain kind of communal energy which is imparted in each piece of furniture. And we hope that continues.” Senior designer Jaysond Neill says the scent of the lumber room seems to fall over him when he opens the door. “You can close your eyes and just know where you are,” he says. Mira remains a working designer, although leadership often interrupts the quiet work she hopes to accomplish. “Every day, I think I’m going to get drawing done,” she says. “But something else happens.” In July, Mira returned to Japan with her 22-year-old grandson, Toshi Amagasu, for exhibitions devoted to George’s work. “It’s interesting that his recognition is still going on,” she says. “He’s been gone for 36 years.” Mira returned there as the steward

of her father’s work, accompanied by a grandson beginning to find his own place within the family story. Toshi works at the studio in sales and public relations and plans to study in Japan. ALTARS FOR PEACE George’s work eventually extended beyond furniture. Inspired by a vision and a large black walnut tree, he conceived monumental altars as gathering places for meditation and prayer. The first was consecrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York in 1986. After his death, Mira and the Nakashima Foundation for Peace continued the project, placing Sacred Peace Tables in Russia and India. For Mira, continuing her father’s legacy has never meant simply reproducing what he left behind. It means preserving the spirit with which he worked while making room for her own designs, new hands, new places, and another generation. Lela Casey is the editor of New Hope & Solebury magazine and has been writing professionally for more than 15 years. She and her family live in Doylestown. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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Still Growing For 40 years, Solebury Orchards has grown from one farmer’s leap of faith into a community tradition shaped by the people behind it. BY LELA CASEY

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FOR GENERATIONS of children growing up in the New HopeSolebury area, summer and fall have meant a trip to Solebury Orchards, where fruit is picked straight from the field and no visit feels quite complete without a cider doughnut on the way home. Visitors today might take the orchard’s bustling, colorful scene for granted, but 40 years ago there was little there beyond 24 acres of cornfield and a young man named Brian Smith who just “really liked fruit.” Smith grew up in Horsham on a roughly 10-acre family property with a handful of fruit trees scattered about. As he got older, he became interested in caring for those trees, which grew into an interest in health, nutrition, and gardening. Eventually, he managed a small orchard nearby and started imagining what it might be like to grow fruit on a much larger scale. In 1985, when an affordable tract of land became available in Solebury, Smith decided to take the leap. “I never really planned any of it,” he says. “I just wanted to go for it.”

Above: Nathaniel Woosley and Freya Hoffman in the market Oppostie page: Nathaniel Woosley, Freya Hoffman, Brian Smith, and Gilberto “Beto” Ruiz Flores

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUAN VIDAL PHOTOGRAPHY; PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SOLEBURY ORCHARDS

BUILDING SOMETHING TOGETHER The idea may have begun with Smith, but Solebury Orchards was always

a team effort. From the earliest years, family members stepped in wherever they were needed, and the farm began to take shape through a succession of problems solved and people willing to lend a hand. Smith’s brother was involved early on, his father helped build many of the structures on the property, and his mother pitched in at the market. Smith describes his parents as “super assets all along the way.” As the orchard grew, so did the circle around it. About 25 years ago, Smith’s partner, Freya Hoffman, joined the operation just as “pick your own” was beginning to transform the scale of the business. At the time, there were only about four other people working at the orchard. Over the years, employees, helpers, and even customers have become part of its fabric. Nathaniel Woosley, the orchard’s manager and an all-around problem solver, first became connected to the orchard as a child. When he was about 8 years old, he made an impression while shopping there with his mother and younger

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Partners Brian Smith and Freya Hoffman work hard to bring a variety of fruit and sweet treats to visitors of Solebury Orchards.

siblings. “He floated around the room with his family, suggesting, ‘Perhaps we should get some of these’ or ‘We haven’t had those for a while,’” Hoffman remembers. “Then he carried everything to the counter and acted as if it was his responsibility to take things to the car. He was a little man.” Before long, Woosley was spending weekends at the orchard’s outdoor apple weigh station alongside Hoffman’s son. He eventually moved behind the counter. As he grew into a young man, he left for stretches to study abroad and travel, but somehow he kept finding his way back. Today, Woosley handles everything from finances and photography to helping secure visas for the orchard’s migrant workers. “It’s a place that just becomes a part of you as much as you’re a part of that place,” he says. Gilberto “Beto” Ruiz Flores began as a 19-year-old worker at Solebury Orchards. More than two decades later, he now oversees much of the picking, thinning, and field work necessary to keep the farm running, traveling between Pennsylvania and Mexico with his young family. “There’s never a day where you’re not going to trust this guy,” Hoffman says. “He makes the decisions; he handles 12 other people.” SEASONS OF CHANGE In the early years, there was little separation among jobs at the orchard because Smith was doing most of the work himself. Hoffman remembers him starting some days as early as

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4:30 a.m., picking what was needed, filling baskets, getting the market ready before opening, and spending the day tending to customers. “In the early years, you just needed to do the immediate thing,” Smith says. “It was really hard to keep up.” Today, Solebury Orchards is a yearround operation with roughly 40 people on the payroll and about 85 to 90 acres of trees and bushes to tend. The rhythm of the business changes with the seasons. Winter means long days of pruning bare branches. Spring brings planting and thinning. By summer and fall, the orchard shifts into harvest mode, with fruit moving from trees and fields to baskets, sorting tables, the market, the cider press, and the applesauce kitchen. Smith is still part of that work, but his role has shifted. While Ruiz Flores and his crew handle much of the picking and field work, Smith spends more of his time on tractors, maintenance, and keeping the farm’s equipment running. He describes that work modestly. Hoffman is quick to point out the rest: He repairs equipment, rebuilt the cider press and filling machinery, and is often the person who figures out what to do when something breaks. Although the work has changed, it can still be intense. Smith, however, seems happiest in the middle of it. After recently spending a couple of weeks away, he was glad to return. “I really enjoy being at home,” he says. “I enjoy work.” That willingness to stay connected and to learn whatever the farm demands

A visit to Solebury Orchards might look a little different this year, but there is still plenty of fun to be had, with a new lineup of family friendly activities planned.

next has shaped Solebury Orchards from the beginning. Through the years, Smith and his team have learned to press cider, make applesauce, and eventually produce their own cider doughnuts. “As far as the farm is concerned, we all just figured things out as we went along,” Hoffman says. “Whatever we needed to do, that’s what we learned to do.” PUT TO THE TEST This year, that philosophy has been tested in a way no one expected. An unusually warm stretch in early spring pushed the orchard’s young fruit

ahead of schedule. Then a cold spell devastated the plants, leaving what Hoffman calls “a ghost crop.” Smith had never experienced anything like it in four decades of farming. Instead of declaring defeat, the Solebury Orchards team is doing what it has always done: It’s figuring things out. “Brian’s a problem solver,” Hoffman says. “It’s just another problem to have.” The team planted vegetables, began sourcing fruit from elsewhere, and started rethinking what a fall visit to the orchard might look like without the usual abundance of apples. New activities are being planned for families, including pumpkin picking, scavenger hunts, and children’s programming, with help from neighbors eager to step in. People have asked what they can do, while nearby farms and friends have offered ideas and practical help. For those who want to support the orchard, the message is simple: “Keep coming because we’re still here,” Hoffman says. “It might look a little different, but we’re still here.” After 40 years of adapting, growing, and figuring things out as they go, Solebury Orchards will unlikely be defined by one difficult season. For Smith and the team around him, there is always another season ahead. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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Canal Keepers

Along nearly 60 miles of historic waterway, a dedicated network of stewards helps protect the Delaware Canal, one section at a time.

O BY LELA CASEY

Michael Ginder stands by the Delaware Canal.

ON A QUIET SUMMER morning, the Delaware Canal can feel timeless. Great blue herons stalk the shallows while cyclists glide along the towpath, often unaware that the peaceful water running beside them once carried mule-drawn boats loaded with anthracite coal toward Philadelphia. Nearly 200 years after it opened, the canal remains one of Bucks County’s defining landmarks, but its survival is no accident, and neither is the beauty visitors encounter along its banks. Protecting a resource of that scale requires far more than occasional maintenance. Fallen trees, erosion, graffiti, invasive plants and fluctuating water levels all demand attention, often long before most visitors notice them. With limited state park staff responsible for nearly 60 miles of waterway and towpath, much of that day-to-day stewardship falls to Friends of the Delaware Canal and its volunteer canal tender program, whose members serve as the canal’s eyes and ears. Created in 1993, the program allows volunteers to adopt one of 34 sections, regularly walking the towpath to collect litter, report

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Above: Michael Ginder, Tom Lyon, and Bob Margadonna chat with well-known community member Geri Delevich (second from right). Below: Michael Ginder inside the Lock 11 lock tender’s house

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNIFER JANIKIC PHOTOGRAPHY

maintenance concerns, and help with larger preservation projects. Some visit weekly, others monthly, but all provide a consistent presence along a park stretching from Easton to Bristol. “Volunteers are so vital because we have 60 miles,” says Michael Ginder, executive director of Friends of the Delaware Canal. “It’s hard to staff that much length of park.” IN CONSTANT MOTION Ginder, who has led the nonprofit for five years, oversees an organization devoted to preserving the canal’s history while protecting its future. His work ranges from coordinating volunteers and collaborating with state park officials to fundraising, public education, advocacy, and long-term restoration planning. “We don’t

have a slow period,” he says. “There’s always something that happens or something to do.” The canal was built for movement. Beginning in 1832, mule-drawn boats carried anthracite coal south along its waters for nearly a century, until commercial operations ended in 1931. Today, the same towpath once used by mule teams welcomes walkers, runners, and cyclists, while the waterway supports fish, turtles, birds, and other wildlife. For Ginder, the challenge is preserving as much of the original system as possible while keeping the canal accessible. That means caring for historic locks, aqueducts, bridges, and lock tender houses while also addressing environmental concerns and heavy recreational use. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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Left: Michael Ginder inside the Lock 11 lock tender’s house Below: Michael Ginder, Bob Margadonna, and Tom Lyon discuss the condition of the canal.

MORE THAN A WALK While the canal itself may seem larger than life, its survival depends largely on ordinary people performing small acts of care, consistently and often without recognition. For canal tenders like Bob Margadonna, that responsibility extends well beyond an assigned section. Walking the towpath near the historic lock tender’s house in New Hope, his attention moves naturally between the water and the trail. He notices litter, fallen trees, invasive plants, and signs of damage that most visitors would simply pass

by. Even beyond the stretch he officially maintains, he photographs problems and reports what he finds. Margadonna serves on the Friends’ board and has been especially active in efforts to maintain water in the New Hope section, where adequate flow is essential not only to the canal’s appearance but to its wildlife and bustling downtown businesses. Several years ago, when the pump supplying water near Center Bridge stopped working, Margadonna’s dedication was put to the test. As levels fell and fish and turtles struggled to survive, he joined

other community members in raising money to restore the canal and bring life back to it. “We were all bemoaning the fact that these fish and turtles and wildlife were dying,” he says. The experience showed how closely the canal’s health is tied to the broader well-being of the New Hope community, a connection woven through every task the canal tenders perform. As Margadonna puts it, each person may make only a small contribution, but “the sum is much greater than the parts.” Before retiring, Margadonna spent years traveling extensively for work. When a family member became seriously ill, he changed his priorities and decided to stay close to home. Long bike rides along the canal became a refuge. “It was really a force for calmness and serenity in my life,” he says. “I came to realize what an enormous resource it is for the community.” Today, Margadonna still rides the

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towpath several times each week, enjoying sightings of herons, turtles, and bald eagles while quietly watching over the canal itself. “It’s kind of a respite from all of the chaos that we sort through as we go about our lives,” he says. “It’s nice to just take a little bit of a break and breathe easily and take in the beauty.” QUIET SERVICE South of Bridge Street, Tom Lyon and his partner, Faad Ghoraishi, care for another section of the canal running through downtown New Hope. Once or twice each month, they walk the towpath carrying a trash bag, collecting litter, and noting anything that needs attention. They also participate in larger cleanup projects, including removing debris when water levels are lowered. Their work goes beyond cleanup. When Lyon notices deteriorating walls or other potential problems, he photographs them and sends the

Top right: Michael Ginder stands outside the Lock 11 lock tender’s house. Bottom: Tom Lyon helps keep the towpath clean.

information to Friends of the Delaware Canal, helping alert park officials to issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. “It’s a good feeling to help keep the community clean,” Lyon says, adding that it helps to have “a partner to hold the bag and knees that still cooperate.” The role is a natural extension of a lifetime of public service. A retired family physician, Lyon also serves with the New Hope Historical Society and the borough’s Human Relations Commission. Whether preserving local history or helping maintain the canal, he believes small acts of stewardship strengthen the community. “I feel gratified to be able to help create the community that we live in,” he says. LOOKING AHEAD While canal tenders focus on the dayto-day care of the waterway, Friends of the Delaware Canal is also planning for its future. In 2032, the canal will mark its 200th anniversary while the organization celebrates 50 years. Among the group’s long-term goals is the possible return of boats to a three-mile stretch in New Hope, where mule-drawn barge rides once operated. Before that can happen though, invasive aquatic plants must

be removed and dependable water levels must be maintained. Friends of the Delaware Canal is beginning with environmental study and planning, with the hope that an electric water taxi and occasional mule barge events could offer visitors another way to experience the canal’s history. For Ginder, the larger goal is continuity: preserving the original structures, keeping the canal accessible, and ensuring that future generations understand what the canal has meant to Bucks County over the years. “I would love to make sure that the canal is preserved and its history is preserved for everybody to see,” he says. “It is a beautiful asset that we have in this area.” Community members do not have to become official canal tenders to help. Friends of the Delaware Canal’s annual spring cleanup draws about 200 volunteers, and visitors can contribute simply by carrying their trash away or reporting hazards they encounter along the towpath. The work is rarely glamorous, but its impact is everywhere. Through small, consistent acts of care, volunteers help preserve a place where Bucks County’s history, wildlife, and community remain deeply connected. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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LOCAL ARTS

STAGE

Presence Local theaters offer plenty of reasons to take a seat in the audience this fall.

BY ALEXANDER FRASER

AS THE FORMER producing director at Bucks County Playhouse, I may be prejudiced, but there’s nothing like sitting elbow to elbow in a theater watching a show—as a kid, it changed my life. Fortunately, New Hope delivers a level of professional theater second to none. We’re lucky to have three standout theaters in our backyard, each creating new work with the best and brightest from New York and beyond. Here’s a quick look at what’s onstage this fall. BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE In June, I stepped down from my position at Bucks County Playhouse, as BT McNicholl came on board as the new producing artistic director. He is now leading the charge on

two new musicals this fall. “‘The Rocky Horror Show’ on Broadway meant we couldn’t do the show here this year—they don’t want the competition,” McNicholl says. “So with a nod to ‘Rocky’ fans, we chose the glam rock Broadway hit ‘Rock of Ages.’ It’s for anyone who loves 1980s rock like Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, and Pat Benatar. The cast is full of lively, insanely talented young people who will lift the roof off the theater.” BRISTOL RIVERSIDE THEATRE Just down the river, Bristol Riverside Theatre is celebrating its 40th anniversary. First up on its stage this fall is the off-Broadway hit “Dracula, a Comedy of Terrors,” running from Oct. 6 to 25.

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GRASSROOTS THEATER AROUND TOWN In addition to professional theater offerings, our area has two excellent community theater groups that allow people with a passion for theater the chance to create affordable productions with a deeply authentic spirit. MUSIC MOUNTAIN THEATRE Lambertville, New Jersey “And Then There Were None” Oct. 2 to 18 Agatha Christie’s iconic thriller set on a mysterious island keeps audiences guessing until its shocking conclusion.

“We knew our audience would love this fun new take on Dracula, with its campy, subversive humor,” says Amy Kaisser, producing director. MCCARTER THEATRE CENTER In nearby Princeton, New Jersey, there’s a big, bright, brand-new musical taking the stage at McCarter Theatre Center from Oct. 7 to 25. Set against a collegiate bhangra dance championship, “A Beat of Our Own” explodes with a colorful combination of South Asian folk dance merged with hip-hop, reggae, and electronic dance music. “‘A Beat of Our Own’ is by far the biggest, most spectacular musical in our history, and it’s surely headed for a bright future,” says Martin Miller, McCarter Theatre Center’s managing director. “Each of the 1,100 seats in our Matthews Theatre has

been newly rebuilt for maximum comfort—you can really tell the difference.” The center’s concert series also will include performances by Brian Stokes Mitchell, Suzanne Vega, and Alan Cumming. Alexander Fraser is a veteran Broadway producer who served as producing director of Bucks County Playhouse from 2014 to 2026, helping lead the historic New Hope theater through more than a decade of growth and artistic revival.

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLAYERS Buckingham “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” Sept. 25 to Oct. 10 In this unforgettable story, the tyrannical Nurse Ratched goes headto-head with a brash new inmate who upends her rigid hold over the mental hospital where she’s in charge. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” Oct. 30 to Nov. 14 Christopher is a brilliant teenager with autism. When a neighbor’s dog is murdered, his journey to prove his innocence upends his and his family’s world.

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BOOK NOOK

Close to Home Celebrate stories that have local roots, from novels set in New Hope to works by Bucks County authors and artists. BY BUFFY HASTINGS in a fictionalized version of New Hope. Patricia Highsmith lived in the area for a time, and her eye for detail makes the town come alive on the page.

The Air-Conditioned Nightmare

By Henry Miller Henry Miller and painter Abraham Rattner begin this book in New Hope before setting out on a road trip together across America at the start of World War II. Surreal, critical, and moving, it examines the country Miller had left behind and the place of the artist within it.

Tales of the South Pacific

AFTER A SUMMER of travel and exploration, many people are settling in to remember what makes home feel so special. This September, we’re highlighting books with a local connection, from a gorgeously illustrated story about George Nakashima to novels and memoirs rooted in New Hope and Bucks County.

CHILDREN Listening to Trees

By Holly Thompson This picture book tells the story of George Nakashima’s life. Beautifully written and illustrated, it celebrates one of America’s great furniture makers and the relationship between craftsmanship and the natural world. When the book

launched, Farley’s Bookshop was fortunate to host Holly Thompson at the Nakashima shop—a special afternoon for a remarkable book.

YOUNG ADULTS The Summer of Broken Rules

By K. L. Walther Set on Martha’s Vineyard, this novel follows a young woman navigating grief and beginning to rebuild her life. Bucks County author K. L. Walther creates memorable characters in a story that is both moving and sharp.

ADULTS The Cry of the Owl

By Patricia Highsmith This psychologically intense tale of obsession and unraveling is set

By James A. Michener James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prizewinning first book inspired the musical that recently ran at Bucks County Playhouse. Its interconnected stories capture life in the South Pacific during World War II. Michener was also an early supporter of Farley’s Bookshop; without him, the store might not exist.

C’est La Vie

By Jane Vitart This book tells the story of New Hope’s beloved C’est La Vie bakery and includes recipes from the former business. Jane Vitart reflects on building a small business, making it part of a community, and keeping it vital through the years. It will bring back wonderful memories for anyone who remembers the bakery’s warm ovens and smell of pastries. Buffy Hastings is co-owner of Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ROD MAJOR

PHOTO OP

A FLASH OF COLOR BY STAFF WRITER BUCKS COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHER Rod Major enjoys spending time outdoors with his camera, quietly watching to see what nature puts in front of his lens. On July 20, just before sunset, he was photographing from the bridge near the end of the lake at Peace Valley Park when he spotted a small heron perched on a branch and fishing. Major did not initially know what kind of bird he was photographing, but through his lens he was struck by its unexpected colors of deep blue-green, chestnut, and gold. He later learned his subject was a green heron.

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Discovering details like these, which can easily go unnoticed from a distance, is one of the things he enjoys most about wildlife photography. Major rarely sets out looking for a particular subject, preferring instead to observe and wait to see what appears. His calm, quiet approach often allows wildlife—particularly deer—to come surprisingly close. Major captured this photograph with a Canon EOS R1 and Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens.

Have a fabulous New Hope/Solebury photo? Email it to Lela.Casey@ wainscotmedia.com and it could be featured in an upcoming issue!

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