UpperMakefield
A Blooming Business
DAN PIESTOR
12 A Growing Business
Dan Piestor’s Seasons Garden Center sprouts with possibilities for landscaping, native plantings and floral arrangements.
16 Love Your Skin
Lisa Espinoza, MD, owner of La Chelé Medical Aesthetics, has helped advance cosmetic and wellness care for nearly two decades.
20 Farm Dreams Turn Real
Tom Oliver, owner of Normandy Horse Farms, explores the joys—and history—of a pastoral life in the countryside.
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Hello, June!
6 LOCAL PULSE Bite-Sized Updates
8 Q&A
Linda Tabas of The Pink Daisy 10 HOME FRONT Outdoor Kitchens Are Hot!
24 LOCAL TASTES Wine Temperature Tips
26 LOCAL ARTS
Paul Plumadore’s Visual Dance
28 BOOK NOOK Sizzling Summer Reads
29 LOCAL EXPERT Real Estate Update 30 CALENDAR Guide to Summer Fun
32 PHOTO OP Native Beauty
Dan Piestor, owner of Seasons Garden Center, has been intrigued by plants and landscaping since childhood.
Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography, LLC
Celebrate June with Voltage Bikes!
This month, we're honoring two of our nation's greatest treasures: Fathers and the Flag!
At Voltage Bikes, we believe in celebrating the ones who ride beside us and the symbol that unites us. Whether you're gearing up for a ride with Dad this Father's Day or showing your patriotic pride for Flag Day, we've got the perfect way to celebrate — with the power, freedom, and two wheels of our E-Bikes.
Stop in any time to enjoy a test ride and special offers all month long in honor of Father’s Day and Flag Day.
Let’s ride into summer with pride!
Mary and Chris
Voltage Bikes is kicking off the 2025 rental season with a brand new fleet of cutting-edge E-bikes, perfect for any occasion: We Have E-Bike Rentals!
• Fun outings with family or friends
• Birthday celebrations
• Group rides
• Bachelor or bachelorette parties
• Outdoor business meetings
Our E-Bikes are the perfect way to power up your adventure!
We also assemble and test ride your new E-Bike to ensure that everything is just right before your first ride!
Email:
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IHELLO, JUNE!
I AM EXCITED to welcome June with her promise of sunny days and warm evenings—perfect for enjoying our favorite summer activities with family and friends. After the coldest winter in many years and a rainy April and May, I know I’m personally ready to spend as much time outdoors as possible!
In this issue, we bring you a taste of summer right here in our Upper Makefield backyard—from discovering the most gorgeous flowers and plants to surround yourself with to visiting a local horse farm that invites the neighborhood to stop by.
From the moment you step into Seasons Garden Center, you’ll know it’s something special. Maybe it’s the warm welcome from Dan Piestor and his amazing team or the stunning flowers and plants nestled among exquisite trees in their natural setting. Either way, you’re sure to leave with a beautiful addition to your home—and a big smile.
Normandy Horse Farms is one of Upper Makefield’s hidden gems, with 16-17 acres tucked between River Road and the Towpath. When Tom Oliver purchased the property in 1997, he knew it was a special place— one he had long admired for its scenic beauty and historical charm. Whether you’re in search of a host horse farm or simply want to take an afternoon stroll to greet the horses and sheep, Normandy Horse Farms is another treasure in our backyard.
We also shine a light on one of the area’s most trusted destinations for beauty and wellness: La Chelé Medical Aesthetics, led by Dr. Lisa Espinoza. With beautifully designed locations in both New Hope and Newtown and two more in Pennsylvania, Dr. Espinoza has become one of our region’s most respected MDs in the fields of skincare and body wellness. In this issue, she shares the story behind her success and offers expert advice on summer skin care.
If you’re looking for summer outings, don’t miss our calendar of events—it’s packed with special performances and happenings nearby, plus great day-trip ideas just a short drive away. Thinking about upgrading your outdoor space? We share expert tips on selecting the most practical and beautiful counter surfaces for outdoor cooking and dining. And, as always, we’ve included updates on the local arts scene and a few perfect picks for your summer reading.
Whether you’re heading to the beach or savoring the start of summer in your own backyard, I wish you a joyful and relaxing June!
Until next issue,
Laura Lazar Publisher
P.S. I love hearing from you—if you have a story idea or just want to share a thought, please reach out.
Upper Makefield MAGAZINE
Publisher Laura Lazar
Local Editor
Dari Kotzker
Writers
Tom Carroll Sr. Dari Kotzker
Ashara Shapiro
Liz Young
Photographer
Jennifer Janikic Photography, LLC
Expert Contributors
Greg Dwornikowski
Anthony Petsis
Dominique Williams
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman
Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO
Mark Dowden
VP, Group Publisher, Regional
Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy
Maria Regan
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Art Director
Rosemary O’Connell
Executive Editor
Richard Laliberte
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
Upper Makefield magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Upper Makefield 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 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
A PLACE TO EXPLORE
The Preserve @ Play is an annual event at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve that celebrates families getting outside and learning about nature with their budding naturalists. Enjoy hiking trails, children’s play areas, the Green Labyrinth and all other areas of the preserve during this day of celebration for the next generation of explorers.
AN EASTER TRADITION
Kiwanis Club Washington Crossing – Yardley held its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 5 at Washington Crossing Historic Park. Over 200 children greeted the Easter Bunny and searched for Easter eggs, keeping on the lookout for 100 special golden eggs!
STEP BACK TO 1776
Celebrate Independence Day by bringing the whole family back in time to July 4, 1776! At Washington Crossing Historic Park, you can watch living historians demonstrate their crafts and see a military encampment from noon to 4 p.m. on July 4. Highlighting the day will be readings of the Declaration of Independence at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Preregistration is recommended. Admission to Bowman’s Hill Tower is included in your ticket to Living History Day.
ENJOYING THE COMMUNITY CARNIVAL
The community enjoyed the Upper Makefield Fire Company’s annual carnival from May 6 to May 10, with rides, food and live entertainment.
Family, Maternity & Newborn Photography in the Bucks County Area
Welcome friends! So glad you’re here!
I’m Jenny, your local Bucks County, Philadelphia and New Jersey Photographer. Some things about me… I married the love of my life, I’m a mama to two rambunctious boys, I drink more coffee than I should, I love to travel and immerse myself in new cultures and I’m a true hippy at heart! I’m obsessed with sunsets and capturing motherhood, families and couples during the beautiful golden hour. I am captivated by raw, authentic emotion and moments between couples and families.
My work is what I would call emotive storytelling. I look forward to capturing your family’s story.
Gifts Galore
The owner and president of The Pink Daisy has helped customers set fine tables and purchase unique gifts for over 50 years.
What does The Pink Daisy offer its customers?
The Pink Daisy is known for our great customer service, fine gifts, bridal registry and gorgeous complimentary gift wrap. We started out as a cheese and gourmet shop in the town of Yardley in 1976. We had some small gifts, and after five years we realized that we were selling more gifts than nuts. We moved to another location in Morrisville, where we emphasized the gifts and tabletop and only kept the Godiva.
We have been back in Yardley for 29 years, expanding and contracting according to the whims of the economy. Today we are really a small department store with gifts, clothing, jewelry and décor for all at various price ranges.
INTERVIEW WITH LINDA TABAS
June is a popular month to get married and to spend time outdoors. What are some gift trends?
We have seen the bridal business change over the years. Customers have transitioned from formal to more casual table settings. For great gifts for brides, I recommend a wonderful charcuterie board from Canada and anything by Nambe such as chip and dips and salad bowls.
Entertaining materials are also changing. Since the store opened, we have been through the Lucite stage, then crystal, fun colorful pottery, everything platinum, metal serveware and now back to gold accents, melamine and acrylic. We love casual entertaining in Bucks County on our decks, pools and beach houses. At
this time of year, we are well stocked with resin, melamine and acrylic from major companies such as Juliska, Beatriz Ball, Mariposa and Vietri.
What do you enjoy about working with customers online and in person?
The majority of our dinnerware business is domestic and international with older clientele who are furnishing second and third homes and even yachts and private jets. Even Dolly Parton has a set of Versace from The Pink Daisy—all thanks to the internet. At the same time, the internet can hurt small businesses that rely on walk-in traffic. We depend on customers who enjoy choosing clothing and gifts in person, so the challenge is attracting those
in their 30s and 40s who like shopping online.
Today we are still evolving to meet the needs of our local customers as well as our online visitors. While we still have fun setting tables, especially for brides, we also have great clothing and accessorizing of our local shoppers. If you are ever in the neighborhood, please stop by and introduce yourself.
The store is located in Yardley but is very close to Upper Makefield Township. What do you love about this area?
Many of my customers live in Upper Makefield Township, and I am thankful for their support over the last 50 years. At the beginning of the pandemic, I discovered Colonial Farms and have been a loyal customer for years, using them to cater holiday meals for me. My other favorite place is the “secret post office,” which made my life so easy to drop off and mail my packages when I need them. Another favorite spot is the Washington Crossing Inn, which is especially great when the weather is nice and one can drink and dine outside.
The Pink Daisy offers a wide variety of fine gifts, clothing, jewelry and décor at a range of prices. The store caters to customers both in person at its Yardley location and online.
Outdoor Kitchens Are Hot!
Enjoy indoor amenities in outdoor spaces with beautiful materials that can withstand the elements.
BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS
IT’S SUMMERTIME, so dining outdoors in your very own backyard is popular for many homeowners. Nowadays, outdoor kitchens feature grills that rival any indoor range, along with top-of-the-line appliances including refrigerators, pizza ovens, smokers, bars with sinks and luxurious countertops.
Designing your outdoor kitchen can entail selecting countertops that combine aesthetics and functionality. There are many options on the market, but not all will hold up to the outdoor elements our climate has to offer. Here are some recommendations for materials that stand the test of time.
GRANITE
Granite remains one of the most popular choices and is a top choice for outdoor spaces. It works well in all climates, is nonporous and bacteria-resistant, plus it’s super easy to maintain.
Granite isn’t just practical, it’s stunning in natural light. Each slab is unique, with distinct patterns that have depth and sparkle in the sunlight. When choosing granite, honed or leathered finishes are best, as polished surfaces can create a glare in the sun.
Keep in mind that natural stone contains iron, which can tarnish when exposed to water. This can present as orange spots on a light-colored granite, so darker colors are best for areas exposed to the elements.
DEKTON
Dekton is an engineered, ultracompact, high-performance product that is made to stand up to the toughest environments. It’s UVresistant and can tolerate the sudden temperature changes we are prone to in this climate. It’s nonporous, making maintenance a breeze. It’s also stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, abrasion-resistant and highly impactresistant, making it one of the highestperforming countertop materials on the market.
Since Dekton is an engineered stone, light colors perform just as well as dark colors, making this is an ideal choice when a lighter color is preferred.
Today, outdoor spaces are centered around entertaining and complement a home’s architecture and landscaping, bringing all the amenities of the indoors outside—whether you desire a party-ready patio for large gatherings or an intimate dinner for two. Expert local services such as Suburban Marble, Granite & Tile offer extensive selections to meet any need, and can help you put the finishing touch on your outdoor oasis.
Dominique Williams is the vice president of sales and marketing for Suburban Marble, Granite & Tile. She is responsible for inside and outside sales, marketing programs and the Warminster showroom.
A Growing Business
Dan Piestor’s Seasons Garden Center is sprouting with possibilities for landscaping, native plantings and floral arrangements.
BY DARI KOTZKER
WWALKING AROUND Seasons
Garden Center, all of your senses are awakened immediately, from the visual beauty of the seasonal blooming flowers to the scents of the trees, perennials and shrubs. With each step in the store or in a landscaped yard, founder Daniel Piestor wants his customers to be able to engage all their senses so they can feel connected to these designed spaces.
From a young age, Piestor was intrigued by landscaping. He started out by planting seeds at his childhood home, mowing neighbors’ lawns and, as he got older, expanding into more design work. Although his daily career was in retail management, he continued his landscaping work
on the side and took classes to learn more about it. Eventually, he decided to leave retail and focus on his growing commercial landscaping business full-time.
“It wasn’t my intention to make a career of it, but it grew in that direction,” Piestor says. “It’s a passion of mine and one of those things I would do even if I wasn’t getting paid for it. You have to appreciate the look of nature and how it’s evolving and get joy from that, which I do.”
BLOOMING PROSPECTS
The location of Seasons Garden Center on River Road was owned since the 1930s by the Polka family. They rented space on their property for years to a garden center called
Below: Dan Piestor (right) with Deborah Pomroy, the education, floral and garden center director (center), and Dirk Dilbert, director of off-site services.
McGary’s Plant Haven.
Piestor used to purchase items for his company from McGary’s. When the owner wanted to retire, he offered the rental space to Piestor, who eventually accepted it. In 1996, it was renamed Seasons Garden Center and became the new home to Piestor’s landscaping company. Nine years ago, Piestor purchased the land from the original owner.
“What I like about this business is that we know so many customers by name,” Piestor says. “When we do our garden buying trips, there are certain things I know a customer will love. So when we bring an item back for them, they’ll say, ‘This is perfect for me’ and I’ll say, ‘I bought it for you in mind.’ It’s such
a tight-knit relationship, and I like the personal aspect.”
Piestor has landscaped hundreds of homes in Upper Makefield Township. Ron and Eileen Kapusta are local residents and use Seasons Gardens Center for all their indoor needs and outdoor landscaping year-round. They also hired Seasons to adorn their home with magnificent floral arrangements for their wedding last year.
“They care about your personal taste, they take into consideration what your property looks like, what your home looks like or what the occasion is, and they work with us in a great way,” says Eileen.
“What’s nice about Dan is he is so knowledgeable,” says Ron. “Everyone who works [at Seasons] are just lovely people; they really hold a special place for us, and so it’s like shopping with friends.”
A COMMUNITY GEM
Seasons Garden Center offers a full range of services, which include shopping at the retail shop, designing container gardens, creating floral arrangements for events and doing home landscaping. Piestor considers all of his staff to be part of his family, and most employees have educational backgrounds in landscaping and gardening. Deborah Pomroy is the education, floral and garden center director, and Dirk Dilbert is the director of off-site services; they have worked alongside Piestor for years.
“Dan supports us in everything we need, and he always wants to know how we can make the garden center a better experience for the customers,” Pomroy says. “It’s refreshing to work for someone who has that energy and is always open to changing things.”
“The overall environment here [is that] everybody is lovely from our staff to the clientele,” Dilbert says. “I love that each day is something new. I just enjoy working outdoors and with the customers.”
Since purchasing more acres, the
business has expanded to include an event space and an educational studio and gardens. For the event space, they’ve held weddings, birthday parties, art exhibitions and book signings. Then four years ago, Pomroy approached Piestor about creating educational courses for the community such as floral design, gardening, fine arts, healthy living and kid-friendly events. The program includes around 52 classes a year and keeps expanding.
“When teaching classes, I always tell people to think like a plant, because planting is scientific—it’s more than just a bunch of fun flowers you put in the ground,” Pomroy says. “We want them to understand the watering needs of the plant, the soiling needs and what the root system does. So then they can plant things with success, show them off to their neighbors and get that really good, heartfelt feeling we should get from nature.”
NATURAL AND NATIVE
The garden center’s team travels nationally and internationally to trade shows to see what’s on trend for retail and planting. Piestor says he’s constantly reading garden magazines and following social media to spark ideas and then adapt them to what he thinks the people in the community will want.
“Everything is leaning more toward native plantings because the theory is that if [a plant] naturally would grow in Pennsylvania or the Delaware Valley, then it will be more successful in your yard because of the natural environment,” Piestor says. “Each year we bring in almost double the amount of natives than the year before, like redbuds, tons of shrubs and perennials to create native gardens.”
Although Piestor is an overseer of the entire business, he still does a ton of design work. He is currently designing the Upper Makefield Memorial Butterfly Garden in Brownsburg Park to honor the people, including children, who died in a flood two years ago in the township.
“I did a lot of research into making sure everything in the space either nurtures or attracts butterflies,”
he says. “There will be walking paths, colorful natives, trees, flowering trees, perennials and a meditation space so people can have a place to reflect.”
As a resident and business owner in Upper Makefield Township, Piestor says it’s so gratifying laying the groundwork for a new township garden or landscaping someone’s property. He considers landscaping an investment because people are investing their time and money in something they want to be there for as long as possible and improve over time.
“It’s really rewarding when I drive by a home I landscaped 30 years ago and see how big the trees are and see things you put in a long time ago,” Piestor says. “I’ve been doing designs in Washington Crossing for so long, there’s often times I’ll go back to a house I originally landscaped three owners ago, and I’ll look around and think, I did this, and I feel so fulfilled.”
Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.
Right: Seasons Garden Center offers more than 50 educational classes a year.
Below: Piestor with Upper Makefield Township residents and customers Ron and Eileen Kapusta
Love Your Skin
Lisa Espinoza, owner of La Chelé Medical Aesthetics, has been helping to advance cosmetic and wellness care for nearly two decades.
BY DARI KOTZKER
IINNOVATION, determination and passion: These words describe renowned cosmetic physician
Lisa Espinoza, MD, owner of La Chelé Medical Aesthetics. Her hard work and dedication in aesthetic and laser medicine has propelled her business to be in the top 1% of injectors in the United States and the leading injectable center in Pennsylvania (among many other accolades).
Before she made her mark in this industry, she was a star in a
different one. Espinoza attended a performing arts high school and was a talented ballet dancer who performed all over the world. Despite her success on stage, she eventually had to change her future plans due to injuries from dancing. She says she’s lucky she was able to choose a new career path that was not only a hobby for her but a passion.
“When my ballet career ended, I went to UCLA and majored in premed,” she says. “I was plagued
Right: Lisa Espinoza with her brother, Dean Cheley, COO of La Chelé Medical Aesthetics
with very bad acne and really bad skin growing up, so I always had a dream of trying to have a clear complexion and better skin.”
When she had time, she worked in a dermatology office and started to learn about some aesthetic procedures. “I fell in love with laser medicine and how it could help complexions, pores and redness,” she says.
Although originally from California, Espinoza attended medical school in Philadelphia. While at school, she met her husband, who is a cardiologist, and they settled on the East Coast. From the time she was an undergrad and throughout medical school, she knew her ultimate goal was to open her own practice.
While working at a wellness center, she started to formulate her business plan. In 2007, she founded her own
company, La Chelé Medical Aesthetics. The name is a tribute to her parents and a spinoff of her maiden name. She initially rented space in New Jersey, but then moved across the river to New Hope.
“I just loved Bucks County and thought it was so beautiful, and wanted to form a brand that was unique and different,” Espinoza says. “I felt that Bucks County had an elevated prestige to it, and so it was important for me to be in New Hope.”
A GLOWING BUSINESS
La Chelé is a premier boutique medical aesthetics and laser center consisting of the injectable center, a state-of-theart laser technology center and the wellness center. Wellness offerings include hormone therapy and weight loss programs.
Also, at their core, the center’s aestheticians are all about skin, so there is a spa that includes medicalgrade facials, microneedling and use of other devices to elevate the skin. Espinoza says her work is very resultsdriven, and they use the most state-ofthe art technology.
“I think our secret to success is that we provide a complimentary consultation,” she says. “You come in and meet with a medical provider and you can get educated on the current, most clinically studied procedures and products. The consultation is the key to everything, because someone pulls all the information together for you and it’s so much patient education.”
La Chelé is family-run, with Espinoza’s brother, Dean Cheley, serving as the chief operating officer. She says they have created
SUMMER SKIN PROTECTION TIPS
Since it’s June, Lisa Espinoza of La Chelé Medical Aesthetics has some tips for dealing with the summertime sun. Skin care services and products are a major part of La Chelé’s services all year long, but some added protection is needed this time of year.
The good news is that sunscreen is found in a lot of daily moisturizers to help with protection. So, in addition to moisturizer, it’s important to use vitamin C in the morning because it is the most potent antioxidant and helps to boost sun protection.
When in the sun all day, make sure to use medical-grade sunscreen. It may seem like a lot, but sunscreen should be applied every 80 minutes from head to toe, Espinoza says. At night, she advises counteracting oxidative damage during the day with a good antioxidant so skin is rejuvenated when sleeping.
“I also recommend a lot of layering,” Espinoza says. “I’ll put a lotion on in the morning, and every hour I use sunscreen powder. You really have to wear protection such as sunglasses, hats and a long-sleeve shirt. And always try to find shade.”
an environment where they are always very approachable to employees and customers.
“I’m as good as my team, and I have an incredible team of medical providers and a staff that supports me from the front desk to my aestheticians,” Espinoza says. “And I attribute our success to the loyalty of our patients; our patients are everything to us.”
SUCCESSFUL TRENDS
After opening in New Hope, her business became so popular that it ran out of room and she opened a second location in Newtown. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was approached by a luxurybrand real estate company to open two more offices in Pennsylvania outside of Bucks County. Espinoza says a lot of her customers are from Upper Makefield Township, so they have an advantage being close to both the New Hope and Newtown offices.
“They always brag that they can go to either one; some of them who started with me 20 years ago will follow me to either location since I go between Newtown and New Hope, and they say they like it because each location is so
different,” Espinoza says. Technology always continues to advance in the cosmetic dermatology industry. Espinoza lectures and consults with other companies about various procedures. She’s also a key opinion leader for multiple laser companies, so she’s privy to a lot of innovations before they are released.
Her offices are filled with patients utilizing all of La Chelé’s services, but she says there are few trending right now. They include treatments for jawlines, longevity practices like weight loss and hormone therapy. La Chelé also just launched a new laser called ExoMind that helps with mental wellness therapy.
Espinoza says she feels lucky to work as a cosmetic physician and values the relationships she’s formed with her patients. “I truly love what I do and wake up every morning excited to come to work,” she says. “I basically look at myself as an artist, and I get to sculpt faces every day. I also get to see my friends because [many] patients have been with me for two decades and they are like family to me.”
A Farm Dream Turns Real
Tom Oliver, owner of Normandy Horse Farms, explores the joys—and history—of a pastoral life in the countryside.
BY DARI KOTZKER
WWHETHER YOU’RE TAKING a drive or riding a bike along River Road, there are so many amazing hidden gems to be found and explored throughout Upper Makefield Township. With each turn you can come across an extraordinary house, a historical structure or a vista filled with picturesque landscapes.
Normandy Horse Farms owner Tom Oliver had a dream of owning a farm one day and was able to find one of these precious locations which encompassed all the uniqueness of the area.
Oliver has worked in auditing for nearly four decades, but about 30 years ago he realized he wanted something more in his life besides his career. When he reflected on his childhood, he always loved playing with toy tractors, farm sets and being outdoors.
While contemplating a new business endeavor, he was at the Middletown Grange Fair in the early ’90s, when he spoke with A Better Way Belgians farm owner Hutch Hamilton, who told Oliver there were still farms out there for sale.
Then one day while riding his bike on the canal path, Oliver saw a “For Sale” sign at a property he passed all the time. It was a long process, but in 1997 he finally purchased the horse farm and renamed it Normandy Horse Farms.
“It was just the beauty of it—a calm place between the canal and the river
and next to the bike path,” he says. “It had everything. I love being near nature, and it had that old colonial feel. It’s such a special place for me.”
GALLOPING TO SUCCESS
When When Oliver bought the property, he took over the business of boarding horses. Right now, he boards seven horses, but the stables hold up to 15. All of the horses’ owners are located in a 15-mile radius of the farm.
The previous farm owner was a popular horse trainer in the area, and her daughter mentored Oliver on how to work with the animals. Oliver says he grew up around horses and is constantly reading and learning
about them. He still holds a full-time job auditing but does all the work on the farm himself.
“The horses are just incredible animals; they are so intelligent and peaceful,” Oliver says. “Every day I muck the stalls, make sure everybody is secure at night, feed them—and all of those jobs complement my regular work schedule. It’s my exercise for the day; I don’t view it as extra work.”
Oliver also inherited experienced horse owners who knew how to care for and train their animals. He says some newer owners he has worked with over the years are looking for instant gratification when they purchase a horse. He emphasizes that it takes a lot of
patience and repetition to train a horse, and financial investments in proper safety measures and types of feeding are important. In fact, Oliver spends a lot of time protecting his fields so the horses have safe grass to eat at all times.
On a typical day, Normandy Horse Farms is like its own small community. You can see Oliver riding his tractor, horses roaming in their paddocks and sheep having full reign of the property. And of course, the horse owners come to see their gorgeous animals and spend time with them. Oliver says some owners like to ride on the towpath, in horse arenas on his property or in the pasture area of the farm.
Bucks County resident Julia Karasinski has owned her rescue horse Polka for four years. She opted to be a self-care owner, so
she’s here every day to take care of Polka, feed her, clean her stall and ride her.
“This is a great place to board,” Karasinski says. “Polka is my heart horse, and because she’s a rescue, I really like the open greenery and open land, so she’s outside all the time. [The farm is] also the perfect place because of its location and accessibility to the canal. Tom is really laid back and makes it easy to board here and be with my horse.”
TIES TO THE PAST
In addition to the horses, there are sheep and goats on the farm. Oliver also discovered there is a ton of history tied to this land. Through his research and information provided by previous homeowners, he learned that this was an original William Penn land grant farm. William Penn owned the property and sold it to one of
Left: Julia Karasinski enjoys riding her rescue horse Polka on the property and taking walks along the towpath.
Above: The property at Tom Oliver’s Normandy Horse Farms includes remnants of an older barn where Oliver believes artillery was held before George Washington crossed the Delaware River.
the first settlers in the area.
Originally there was a log cabin, but it was replaced by a stone house. Today you can see remnants of field stone and quarried stone where the original barn stood. Years ago, Oliver found a book at an auction house about the Battle of Trenton that shows where artillery was held during the Revolutionary War, and he believes the location matched up to the old barn.
“There were many troops encamped on this property, [and] the prior owners found a lot of cannonballs and New Jersey militia buttons [here],” Oliver says. “It was definitely where troops during the Revolutionary War encamped, probably before the Crossing.”
The farm started as a crop farm growing wheat, barley and corn, then transitioned into horses in the 1960s. Unfortunately, the main house and the barn burned
down during that time. But what has withstood the test of time is a large Sycamore tree, which is over 500 years old.
Oliver named the farm Normandy because his father was in the Navy and they spent a lot of time in Europe while Oliver was growing up. Oliver was always fascinated by the invasion of Normandy, so he wanted to commemorate the D-Day landing and the veterans who fought there. After giving it the new name, he discovered an unbelievable coincidence.
“The pine trees that line my path to the canal bridge, they’re very old and beautiful,” he says. “When the prior owner saw that I named
the property Normandy Horse Farms, she said she was told by the owners before her that they planted the pine trees on June 6, 1944. When they finished planting, they came in for lunch and it was announced on the radio that the Allied Expeditionary Force landed in Normandy.”
A SPECIAL PLACE TO SHARE
One of Oliver’s future goals is to verify that the old barn definitely stored Revolutionary War cannons and then apply for a grant to restore the barn.
Although he privately owns the farm, he is willing to share the beauty of his 16-17 acres with any interested community members.
He gives tours and provides information about the animals and the farm’s history.
“When I have people come to the farms, it’s for agricultural purposes and to learn about the horses, sheep and goats,” he says. “I hope they take away what it was like back in the day when there were no cars and it was simpler. Upper Makefield Township is such a beautiful area and so environmentally diverse. So when people see the land, they can see why I just think the farming life is a good life.”
Wine Temperature Tips
How cool should wines be served during summer? It depends, but these pointers can help guide your pours.
BY TOM CARROLL SR.
ONE OF THE MOST common questions I hear is, “What’s the perfect temperature to serve wine?” And, as my late wife, Christine, always said, the answer is simple: “It depends.” Christine was not only my partner in life but also in business—she and I cofounded Crossing Vineyards and Winery with our son, Tom Jr. A certified sommelier, she was deeply committed to Bucks County and to making wine education approachable for everyone. She had a gift for explaining wine without pretension, and one of her favorite sayings was that every wine question has only one real answer: “It depends.” So, I’d like to pay tribute to her passion for sharing knowledge, one sip at a time.
Take serving temperature, for example. The old saying is that whites should be chilled and reds served at room temperature. But when those guidelines were established, “room temperature” meant a drafty European chateau, not a 72-degree living room in Pennsylvania. A toocold white wine can mute its flavors, while a toowarm red can taste overly alcoholic and flat.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
depend on the wine. A crisp sauvignon blanc, Champagne or rosé should be kept colder. A bold cabernet? Let it breathe a bit. And if you really want to offend your local winemaker, go ahead and toss a couple of ice cubes into your glass. (Just don’t tell Tom Jr. or me about it.)
Of course, in the heat of summer, it’s hard to argue against a well-chilled wine—especially for July 4 celebrations. If you’re looking for the perfect patriotic pour, try Crossing Vineyard’s refreshing sangria, peach or wild berry wines. Or, for something new, our chilled Halfway to Concord red wine offers a fruit-forward semisweet balance that’s just right for warm-weather sipping. Pair any of them with barbecue, fireworks and good company, and you’ve got yourself a perfect summer night.
At the end of the day, the best serving temperature is the one that makes you enjoy the wine the most. Because when it comes to wine questions, the right answer always is “It depends.”
A good rule of thumb? Take whites out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving and put reds in for 15 minutes before pouring. However, those rules
Tom Carroll Sr. is the cofounder and owner, with son Tom Carroll Jr., of Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing, which grows a dozen varietals on 20 acres and has won numerous local, regional and international wine awards.
A VISUAL Dance
Paul Plumadore masters new worlds of surrealist fantasy and poetic imagery.
BY ASHARA SHAPIRO
Paul Plumadore’s richly detailed collages evoke narratives that seem frozen in time, filled with humor, mystery and quiet intelligence, and populated with characters that seem both improbable and eerily familiar.
THIS SPRING, ArtWRKD Exhibition Space in Newtown proudly presents the solo exhibition debut of Paul Plumadore—an artist whose life and work have danced, quite literally, across disciplines and decades. Known for his intricate and whimsical paper montage art, Plumadore’s exhibition invites viewers into a world that is equal parts surrealist fantasy and visual poetry.
When I entered Plumadore’s studio, I was transported into the curious display of rearranged imaging, creating fantastical stories of possibilities not yet seen. As if this was a historical account of a new species— half animal, half human—
celebrating, gossiping, frolicking. Just the pure joy and whimsical nature was both transportive and humorous, reminding us to not take ourselves too seriously, and that a moral is just around the corner.
Since 1975, Plumadore has been meticulously cutting, rearranging and composing images into richly detailed montages. Early recognition came swiftly: In 1976, Art Direction Magazine named him Upcoming Illustrator, and soon his distinctive works adorned book jackets, record covers and editorial spreads for clients ranging from Dell Books and RCA Records to The New York Times and Psychology Today.
EXHIBITIONS IN JUNE
Paper Trail
A solo exhibition of Paul Plumadore
June 6 to 29
An Unthinkable Afternoon
An immersive reading of Paul Plumadore’s prose book
June 29 at 1 p.m.
ArtWRKD
Exhibition Space
128 S. State St., Newtown Artwrkd.com
Bucks Fever Art and Sculpture Exhibition
This exhibition, open at Peddler’s Village, features a diverse range of art and sculpture by local and regional artists.
AC Member Art Show
The Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County will host a member art show with portfolio and gallery pieces.
Naked in New Hope
This exhibition, presented by New Hope Arts, celebrates the human form.
Michener Art Museum Exhibitions
Ongoing exhibitions will include “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real: Collecting Black Art and the Legacy of Lewis Tanner Moore” and “Judith Schaechter: Super/Natural.”
MOVEMENT AND DESIGN
But Plumadore’s creative journey began long before his collages appeared in print. At just 7 years old, he discovered a passion for dance, which eventually led him to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts and became a founding member of The NYU Dance Ensemble. His early 20s saw him on the faculty of NYU and performing with the prestigious Paul Taylor Dance Company. He later served as head of the Dance Department at Sweet Briar College and choreographed original works under the name Paul Plumadore & Co. Always a multidisciplinary creator, Plumadore transitioned from the stage to the world of antiques and interior design. Alongside his partner, Jim Tindell, he founded River Road
Antiques Ltd in 1994 and later Center44, a Manhattan showroom representing 75 international dealers of antiques and modernism. The pair’s curatorial eye for the unusual and exquisite has long influenced Plumadore’s artistic aesthetic.
In 2015, his visual art gained broader gallery recognition when he received a Solo Show Award at the Northeastern Biennial. That resulting solo exhibition at the AFA Gallery in Scranton marked a new chapter in his already storied career. He has since been featured in Art of the State at the State Museum of Pennsylvania and included in “Making the Cut: The Best Collage Artists in the World.”
SERIOUS WHIMSY
Plumadore’s 2021 solo exhibition, “Paper Trail,” at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance broke attendance
records and affirmed what many in the art world have long known: Plumadore’s collage art doesn’t just reflect a unique perspective, it constructs entirely new worlds. Now with his first solo show at ArtWRKD, Plumadore’s surreal storytelling takes center stage once again.
Visitors to the exhibition can expect a feast of visual delight—each collage a theatrical scene frozen in time, populated by improbable characters that somehow feel eerily familiar. There’s humor, mystery and a quiet intelligence to Plumadore’s work, revealing layers of cultural commentary beneath the whimsy.
Plumadore and Tindell now reside in a self-designed log home on the Delaware River, featured in Log Home Living as a Home of the Month. The spirit of that home—thoughtfully crafted, slightly magical and grounded in nature—flows through this exhibition.
It’s more than a show; it’s an invitation into the mind of an artist who has spent a lifetime assembling beauty from the unexpected. Plumadore’s solo exhibition at ArtWRKD is a landmark moment in a career defined by reinvention, curiosity and the endless dance between imagination and form.
Ashara Shapiro is gallerist and curator of ArtWRKD in Newtown, an art consortium with a mission for discovering, fostering and sharing original work by emerging artists through its workshop and exhibition space.
Sizzling Summer Reads
June is busting out all over with good books to capture the imagination during seasonal downtime.
BY LIZ YOUNG
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER days with a book while relaxing outdoors or on vacation. This month features books about horses, summer adventures and a garden mystery.
“IF I WAS A HORSE”
By Sophie Blackall
Sophie Blackall is one of my favorite children’s authors and a fabulous artist. She shares every story as a simple treasure of imagination and joy. Spend some time in this book and you will not forget any part of it anytime soon.
“SUMMER FRIDAYS”
By Suzanne Rindell
This is a story for the young at heart— and those who remember being young
at heart. It’s a bright and light narrative that reminds readers of the ample lessons and heartbreak experienced during a summertime love.
“IF WOMEN ROSE ROOTED”
By Sharon Blackie
Chart a journey to restore your individual sense of purpose on the earth, of the earth and with the earth. Individually you can find your place in the greater world using essential guidance shared by our courageous foremothers and native women. This book gathers feminist thought for new version of womanhood and how we connect to the physical world.
“THE RIDE OF HER LIFE”
By Elizabeth Letts
The journey of a lifetime: A woman, her horse and her dog traveled west over 4,000 miles from Maine to see the Pacific Ocean. An amazing story of fortitude and great faith in human kindness, this heartwarming tale reminds us that the companionship of a horse and a dog can be magical.
“THE GARDENER’S PLOT”
By Deborah J. Benoit
A fascinating, cozy mystery from the Berkshires involving a community garden, a missing gardener and a found body, this is a refreshingly humorous account of a small-town community grappling with a close-tohome escapade.
“THE #1 DAD BOOK”
By James Patterson
Here’s the perfect gift for the new father in your family. After much research, James Patterson lays out his recipe neatly and methodically to make results achievable in the quest to be a great dad. His advice is valuable, trusted and presented with humor and a touch of empathy.
Liz Young is the owner of Commonplace Reader (commonplace-reader.com), which has celebrated its five-year anniversary and hosts several adult book clubs each month along with kids’ activities on Saturdays in the shop on Main Street in Yardley.
June Real Estate Forecast
Navigate the Upper Makefield market with tips from a local expert.
BY GREG DWORNIKOWSKI
NATIONALLY,
WE ARE hearing news reports of a loosening housing market with increases in inventory fueling sales. But we know that all real estate is local, and we are not yet really seeing that loosening trend here in Upper Makefield.
Current market data validates what realtors know intuitively: The local market remains tight, with buyers outnumbering sellers. This results in short marketing periods, multiple offers, quick sales and high prices. If you’re looking to sell, high demand and a limited supply of unsold homes means you will have better opportunity to attract buyers and potentially secure a higher price.
Mortgage rates have settled in the
6%-7% range and are expected to stay there in the coming months. Recent economic reports point to a slowing economy. However, the extent of this trend remains unknown, with the effects of new federal economic policies yet to be seen. The Fed has indicated that it hopes to be able to implement one or two rate cuts later in the year. This can only help beleaguered homebuyers, as it usually translates into mortgage rate reductions and increased buying power.
HOME-PREP POINTERS
If you are thinking of selling to take advantage of the still-tight sellers’ market, it is in your best interest to maximize your home’s preparedness for sale. A home that is well prepped will always sell at a higher price and more quickly than one that is not.
Short of doing a major renovation, several relatively easy steps will heighten your home’s appeal to buyers. These include: Attend to landscaping: Trim shrubbery, remove dead plants and trees, and spread mulch.
• Paint: Apply fresh interior paint in neutral, on-trend colors, ideally
RECENT UPPER MAKEFIELD HOME SALES
uniform throughout.
• Update floors: Clean or replace carpeting or—better yet, if you have hardwood floors underneath—remove the carpeting altogether.
• Improve lighting: Replace outdated fixtures with modern ones to give an up-to-date look.
• Freshen furnishings and décor: Thin out the amount of furniture and wall hangings to create an open, uncluttered look.
• Simplify windows: Minimize the amount of window treatments to maximize natural light and exterior views.
An experienced realtor will be able to provide room-by-room guidance on furniture placement and decluttering so as to arrive at the ideal presentation. The chart below shows rolling 12-month residential sales and average sales prices in Upper Makefield Township.
A resident of Washington Crossing, Greg Dwornikowski is a luxury real estate agent at Addison Wolfe Real Estate with an MBA in finance and real estate from the Wharton School.
Guide to Summer Fun
Gather friends and family for happenings available locally and around the region during June and July.
Ongoing
Summer Series Fireworks
Fridays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. New Hope, PA
June/July (seasonal)
Peace Valley Lavender Farm Pick Your Own Bunches Doylestown, PA
June 1 and 7-8
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. NJ Renaissance Faire Burlington County Fairgrounds Columbus, NJ njrenfaire.com
June 6-21
2025 Princeton Festival Princeton, NJ princetonsymphony.org
July 11-August 3
“Spongebob: The Musical” Music Mountain Theatre Lambertville, NJ musicmountaintheatre.org
June 13-15
Chester County Balloon Festival Kennett Square, PA ccballoonfest.com
June 14-16 and 19-22
Strasburg Railroad Day Out with Thomas Ronks, PA strasburgrailroad.com
June 15
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Noon to 8 p.m.
Father’s Day (Free admission for dads with a paying child at some attractions) Point Pleasant Beach, NJ jenkinsons.com
June 16-July 4
FIFA Club World Cup Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia fifa.com
June 20-July 20
“Leader of the Pack” Bucks County Playhouse New Hope, PA bcptheater.org
June 21-22
Manayunk Arts Festival Manayunk, PA manayunk.com
June 27-29
Riverfest PA Columbia, PA riverfestpa.com
July 4
Peddler’s Village: Red, White, and Blueberries BBQ Bash Noon to 5 p.m. Lahaska, PA peddlersvillage.com
Noon to 4 p.m. Fonthill Castle 4th of July Doylestown, PA mercermuseum.org
July 5
Washington Crossing Historic Park Independence Day Celebration
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Washington Crossing, PA washingtoncrossingpark.org
July 12-13
Blueberry Bash Terhune Orchards
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Princeton, NJ terhuneorchards.com
Tinicum Arts Festival
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday) tinicumcivicassociation.org
July 20
Christmas in July Festival Wildwood Crest, NJ wildwoodsnj.com
July 28-29
Mercer County 4-H Fair
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saturday) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sunday) Howell Living History Farm Lambertville, NJ howellfarm.org
August 13–17
Middletown Grange Fair 576 Penns Park Road Wrightstown, PA middletowngrangefair.org
August 25
Oaxaca Festival
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Lambertville Library, Lambertville, NJ
NATIVE BEAUTY
SPRING MIGRATION is in full swing as billions of birds migrating across North America begin their breeding season. One such species is a common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), pictured here surrounded by redbud (Cercis canadensis) blooms. Relying on native plants such as the redbud tree, common yellowthroats use branches to protect themselves from predators and to rest after their long journey. You can witness common yellowthroats and more migratory birds at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. Kathleen White, a volunteer at the preserve, photographed this image and also sells her prints in the Twinleaf Book & Gift Shop.
Have a fabulous Upper Makefield photo?
Email it to editor@ uppermakefieldmag.com and it could be featured in an upcoming issue!
PHOTOOP
