dtown magazine - august 2012
TRANSCRIPT
Serving Bucks and Hunterdon Counties
August 2012
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Jack Frank… p. 24
Publisher: Pearson Publishing
Editor-in-Chief: Justin Elson
Managing Editor: Jack Firneno
Art Director: Paul Rowlands
Photography: Wendy McCardleNicole Leigh
Contributing Writers: Justin ElsonJack FirnenoCarla Merolla OdellKyle BagenstoseApril SollaCatherine WhalenIngrid WeidmanAnna PalijScott Holloway
Distribution Manager: Tom Cormican
Graphic Designer: Lyndsay Jurema
To advertise, contact us at 215.896.2767 or via email at [email protected].
For all editorial content, contact us at [email protected].
MUSICThe Lawsuits ........................................................ 18
ARTISTJack Frank ............................................................ 24
HOMERemodeling Made Easy ....................................... 30
SPOTLIGHTThe Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen ............... 36
COMMUNITYThe Bucks County Service Industry Charities ..... 40
SEMANTICSThe Importance of Being Earnest ....................... 44
FOOD & DININGThe National Hotel ............................................... 58
BACKPAGEAugust Beauty ..................................................... 54
CONTENTS
dtownmag.com / 7
The correct website for last month’s Food & Dining story should have been www.loganinn.com.
EDITOR’S LETTER
8 / EDITOR’S LETTER / AUGUST 2012
B ut working with somewhat-limited resources and extremely
limited time, I’m not always afforded such luxuries. If I took anything from my years at Temple – besides an admittedly sweet student ID with no dates or years that’s paid quite a few dividends over time – it was the notion that your first draft is never, never your last. With those lessons in mind, my first pass on this month’s Editor’s Letter read like a break-up. The old it’s not you, it’s me routine. But I quickly thought better of it after wondering if George Costanza still held the trademark. My second attempt read like a eulogy. Not to state the obvious but I quickly abandoned that line of thought. My third and fourth takes, if I were a writer from another generation, would have been ripped dramatically from a typewriter, crumpled into small balls and tossed triumphantly across the room. My fifth read like an apology. Yet another dead end. But with a deadline looming and a seemingly endless pile of discarded ideas growing before me, I settled on
a decidedly direct approach. The issue you’re currently holding in your hands will be the last edition of dtown you’ll ever read. (I’d like to imagine a collective gasp rising around the area at the conclusion of that sentence.) But after over four years, we’re hardly packing up our tents and skipping town. To perhaps borrow an analogy from a harlequin novel, as one sun sets, another rises. Next month, you’ll find Radius Magazine gracing the same places you’d normally find your trusty dtown. September will mark our first issue under the new name, as well as welcome opportunities for everyone who has toiled to grow this publication from humble beginnings to what it is today. Of course, that still leaves the white elephant in the room. Why? While we’re certainly excising the hard work that’s been poured into establishing dtown as a player in the local publishing scene, we’ve outgrown the limitations that a word can sustain. Our distribution and circulation has grown well beyond the confines of Doylestown Borough. Our advertisers are scattered throughout Bucks, Hunterdon
Everyone needs an editor.Even editors.
dtownmag.com / 9
BY JUSTIN ELSON
and soon-to-be Lehigh Counties, and we need to serve their interests, as well. But perhaps most importantly, we’ve always held a firm belief that our mission, beyond promoting the arts, was to build community. We feel we’ve accomplished those goals in one small town and are ready to connect a larger area in ways perhaps that no one has envisioned before. It might sound grandiose, but that’s always been our style. So what can you expect? While it might be a new name, the staff is remaining intact. But with less-stringent boundaries, I’m looking forward to spreading my creative wings. You’ll still find your favorite sections, but you might also grow to love what we have in store. New voices and new takes. The magazine will retain its signature size, but there will certainly be design features added. In sum, you’ll recognize the magazine and hopefully love what we have to offer. And for the proverbial rabbit in the hat, dtown isn’t disappearing forever. Instead, we’re reconfiguring its presence and handing it off. Teenagers will take
the reins, managing every aspect of the publishing business: producing the editorial, finding advertisers, keeping the books, designing and laying out every issue, the works. Advertising revenue will be used solely to finance production, and any profits will go to support other community initiatives. We’ll oversee their efforts, offering our guidance, resources and experience. We like to think of it as a real-world school newspaper with greater responsibilities and freedoms. Students with interests in business, writing, photography or graphic design are invited to contact us at [email protected] for more information. And don’t forget about the dtown daily smart-phone app. Users will be alerted to the best deals in Doylestown, as well as any new specials happening at your favorite restaurants and stores. So as we turn another page, thank you doesn’t seem like nearly a strong- enough sentiment for your support over the last four-plus years. It’s been a real adventure. And we look forward to continuing it with you.
Everyone needs an editor.Even editors.
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AROUND TOWN
14 / AROUND TOWN / AUGUST 2012
As dtown says its goodbyes, we turn to members of the Doylestown Photo Club and their trusty cameras for one last look at the sights that make our area so photogenic.
Photo Courtesy of Margaret McLaughlin
dtownmag.com / 15
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DOYLESTOWN PHOTO CLUB
1
3
4
2
Photo 1 courtesy of Judy McKeon. Photo 2 courtesy of Kathy Peoples. Photos 3 and 4 courtesy of Margaret McLaughlin.
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IS NOW
MUSIC
SONIC SOUL-SEARCHING AND SWELLING STARDOM
When Brian Dale Allen Strouse answers his phone, he is quickly approaching the
Massachusetts’ state line. As both the frontman and guitarist for the Lawsuits, a neo-folk band out of Bucks County, he and the rest of the group are on their way to the Caravan Festival in Maine. It will be their first appearance there, but they’re co-headlining the bill. The event, expected to draw around 400 people, employs a unique technique for crafting its lineup. “It’s basically a bunch of bands from Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York, who all head up north to play for a different audience,” Strouse explains. The approach is almost perfectly suited for the Lawsuits that, says Strouse, chase but one thing: “The main goal, at least for me, has always been to write
and record music and have some type of audience for it.” It’s not exactly an earth-shattering revelation, but, as the band barrels towards New England – the furthest from home they’ve played to date – Strouse talks about the road that led them to the one they’re on now. And like every good story, there are a few twists in it. The Lawsuits landed their slot on the Caravan Festival thanks to a record-release party they played in April. The manager of another band on the bill that night liked what they were doing and invited them to join the Maine lineup. Ironically, they were promoting an album they don’t feel is their best. “It was too short, and it was rushed,” Strouse says, bluntly. “It sounds like a folk-rock band teleported back to 1988 with Poison producing their album.”
The Lawsuits
18 / MUSIC / AUGUST 2012
dtownmag.com / 19
BY JACK FIRNENOPHOTOS COURTESY OF MATT SMITH/HOT BOX STUDIOS
Maybe Hot Love, the release in question and the band’s second official outing, wasn’t exactly what they were looking for. But it still works as a solid slice of rollicking indie-folk. Imagine an almost poppier Highway 61 Revisited. But even if the band wasn’t fully satisfied, as listeners, there’s still plenty more to choose from. The Lawsuits’ Bandcamp page, a Web site that allows artists to sell both their music and merchandise directly, offers their first record, Darleen, along with plenty of “unofficial,” homemade recordings. They trace history of the band, which, at one point, boasted 12 members. “Three guitarists, two backup singers, saxophone, piano, auxiliary percussion. Very chaotic,” Strouse laughs. “It’s difficult enough just to manage yourself day-to-day let alone that many people.” The small army that once was the Lawsuits played almost exclusively at John and Peter’s in New Hope, but, as the core members grew more serious about the band, the lineup pared down to its current five-piece incarnation. With players hailing from Bucks County
and Philadelphia, the Lawsuits were steadily drawing fans from across the region by the time they entered the studio to record Hot Love. “With that last batch of songs, we wanted to have a big release and get them out there for anyone who was interested,” Strouse
“ At one time, the world was very small to us… [but] the industry is like the universe: it goes on forever.”
– Brian Dale Allen Strouse
says, reflecting on the thought process that preceded the actual recordings. He tells the story of how the band switched studios after they were disappointed with the initial tracks, did their best to have them remixed and learned an important lesson in the process: “Spending the majority of your energy on pre-production and thinking a lot about what exactly you’re trying to achieve is extremely important. We learned that by trial and error.” To that end, the Lawsuits have enlisted Bill Moriarty, who’s worked with prominent Philadelphia artists like Dr. Dog, Man Man and Drink Up Buttercup, to produce their next record. “He’s worked with some of our favorite bands, and we’re confident he can help us get an accurate representation of what we’re trying to do,” Strouse says. And that actual portrayal may come just in time as soon there will be more people hearing the Lawsuits’ music
than ever before. In August, the band is playing the 22nd-Annual Rittenhouse Concert in the Park Series, where they’ll be performing both their own music and backing up the Philadelphia-based hip-hop group Ground Up. And in September, they’ll be sharing the stage with acts like Frank Turner and Yo La Tengo at the WHYY Connections Festival. “It’s definitely interesting,” says Strouse, of the band’s upcoming gigs and how it’s gotten to where it is now. “At one time, the world was very small to us. We were just trying to find gigs. Now we’re thinking about things like the best producer to help carve out our sound and which PR company is the best fit for our music. The industry is like the universe; it goes on forever. Every day, we’re learning something new.”
Go online at facebook.com/thelawsuits
MUSIC
20 / MUSIC / AUGUST 2012
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ARTIST
AN ARTIST IN TRANSITION
For Phillipsburg-based artist Jack Frank, painting used to be a painstaking endeavor,
necessitating hours of preparation and effort. As a result – and perhaps due to the demands of a full-time job as a graphic designer and illustrator and single fatherhood – he only took brush to canvas about two or three times a year. But in recent months, Frank has discovered that it’s not so much the finished product as it is simply the process of arriving there. “Any artist knows that a canvas is never really finished,” he explains. “But that ability to walk away is just as important as any technique. My latest work is not only my best but also my most freeing. I identify with it much more than anything I’ve done before.” Frank credits his creative renaissance to his new approach and outlook on
his work. Now, when he sits down to paint, it’s usually without a clear idea or direction in mind. He applies his paint directly to the canvas, eschewing the typical preparatory sketches or mixing on the canvas. What results is often something he didn’t anticipate, a fitting end to his freer, looser and more- organic approach. In one of his nude portraits, for example, he wasn’t quite satisfied with the finished product, so he added a disheveled mop of dark hair in a momentary flash of inspiration. The last-minute change was what “saved” the painting, he says. Then, of course, there are the paintings that gradually build upon a style he’s already explored. A simple, straightforward still life of peaches might transition to a display of peaches alongside a bowl of cherries; future iterations work upon the same theme. And just as the composition within each work evolves, so does the tech-nique of continually shifting colors and
Jack Frank
24 / ARTIST / AUGUST 2012
dtownmag.com / 25
BY APRIL SOLLA AND JUSTIN ELSON / PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACK FRANK
“When you can touch the canvas and it has bumps and ridges, you can imagine where the brush was.”
– Jack Frank
ARTIST
brushstrokes: thick, wide, pronounced lines and even an errant glob of paint. And Frank wouldn’t have it any other way. “When you can touch the canvas and it has bumps and ridges, you can imagine where the brush was,” he says. “It adds to the story of the painting. I remember painting every single canvas I’ve done and where I was. I can almost remember my hand moving across the canvas. I mostly paint just to have fun. Sometimes it’s an adventure.” While Frank’s dark lines – perhaps the result of his illustrative background – and heavy strokes are largely inspired by the styles of Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne and Pablo Picasso, the influence of the masters in his paintings may be even more obvious. In a recent study of one of Cezanne’s works, Frank mimicked the Post-Impressionist’s composition of pears and oranges on a ruffled white tapestry. “I changed the colors and added a lot of wrinkles
and lines,” he says. “The dark and light pulls you in a bit.” Frank also painted an homage to Van Gogh’s Chair and Picasso’s Guitar, combining the two by leaning the instrument against furniture but adding his own twist with a bold, red-tiled background. When he’s not emulating the works of these icons, Frank finds a plentiful supply of inspiration in photographs. And in people, he’s found subjects that both inspire and push his ever-evolving style beyond perhaps sometimes self-imposed limits. “There’s something very interesting and compelling about the human form,” Frank says. “You can spend a lot of time sketching, but it’s a lot more interesting when you can break the mold a bit. I used to be a little too focused on the fine details and capturing a certain photo-realistic vibe. As a painter, you don’t have to be too real. I prefer to focus on texture, pigment and the feel of a canvas. When
26 / ARTIST / AUGUST 2012
dtownmag.com / 27
BY APRIL SOLLA AND JUSTIN ELSON / PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACK FRANK
the lines are freer and the composition is a little looser, you get a more expressive painting.” In perhaps finding himself as an artist, Frank has also discovered another facet in his work that he describes as a “child-like quality.” In shedding some of the conventions that slowed his process in the past, his latest canvases have developed a distinct voice that is Frank’s alone. “There’s a Picasso quote that has always stayed with me,” he says. “I’m paraphrasing a bit here but it’s something like, ‘It took me four years to paint like Raphael and a lifetime to paint like a child.’ Considering the source and the sentiment, they’re certainly words to live and paint by.”
To learn more or contact Jack Frank about his work, email him at [email protected].
MichenerArtMuseum.org138 South Pine Street • Doylestown, PA 18901 • 215-340-9800
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THE Place To Be
dtown Magazine 2012.indd 1 7/31/12 5:18 PM
HOME
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR HOME- IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
So you’ve lived in the same house since your children were young, and now they have homes of their
own. However, your space is hardly in the same condition it was back then. And, in this economy, buying a new house isn’t always a viable option. Faced with certain financial realities and perhaps a longing for what’s familiar, more people are now looking toward remodeling instead of moving. “With the economy the way it’s been, a lot of people are now realizing they need to upgrade their homes,” explains Rocco DeLise, owner of Finer Finishes, LLC, who brings his 15-plus years experience in general contracting to his Doylestown-based home-refinishing company. “It freshens up the home you live in now and prepares it for the
market, even if that’s years away.” We sat down with DeLise to get a few ideas for small changes around the house that go a long way and tips for how to tackle one of the bigger, more-popular remodeling projects: the bathroom.
GETTING BIG RESULTS FROM SMALL CHANGES.They say it’s the little things that make the biggest differences. And it’s often small changes that truly change the overall appearance of any space. “You can take a dining room and put up crown molding, chair rails or shadow boxing,” DeLise suggests. “They’re little things, but they add a lot of character. It also increases the value of the house.” Slightly larger projects like replacing old tiles or wood flooring can add new and even unexpected vibrancy. “Floors get worn down over time, so you don’t always realize it,” he explains. “Installing a new one will give you an immediate, dramatic change.”
Remodeling Made Easy
30 / HOME / AUGUST 2012
“[Remodeling] freshens up the home you live in
now and prepares it for the market, even if
that’s years away.”
– Rocco DeLise
dtownmag.com / 31
BY ANNA PALIJ PHOTOS BY NICOLE LEIGH AND COURTESY OF ROCCO DELISE
Smaller improvements cost less than larger projects, so the results can be spread out around your home over time. They’re often more unobtrusive, too. “A tile or wood floor usually takes up to around five days, and it’s not that messy or dusty,” DeLise says. “Especially as opposed to a few weeks for an entire room.”
And there are plenty of options for enhancing a popular remodeling project like the bathroom. DeLise suggests changing the vanity and countertop, upgrading fixtures or replacing the shower walls using updated tile: “Additions like these are simple, affordable, and quickly add value to your home.”
MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK FOR YOUFor many, home-improvement projects are a substantial expense with even just a one-room overhaul potentially nearing the value of the entire home. But just as allocating your money across small projects in different parts of the house can enhance its overall appearance, spreading your funds across just one room can have the same effect. “You can spend thousands of dollars on a few high-end fixtures, and some people like that.” DeLise says. He suggests forgoing that state-of-the-art showerhead for something like radiant floor heating, better tile or a nicer shower glass enclosure as another way to approach a remodel. “The options for add-ons in a bathroom are almost endless,” DeLise continues. “From countertops to fixtures and even tile, there are simply so many ways to approach it and add variety and style to your space. It’s important to break up the budget to afford all the amenities you want.” But DeLise is also careful to remind customers to be prepared to tweak some of their selections in order to stay within their budget. “After the initial estimate, I spend a lot of time with a client finding ways to lower the price,” he says. “It’s often small changes like switching from tile that’s $8 per square foot to one that costs
only six. I make it a point not to take away the effect they’re looking for. Instead, I find different ways to achieve it. Ultimately, with the proper planning and a little shopping around, you can get what you’re looking for at the price you want.”
THE ONLY THING TO FEARIn DeLise’s experience, many homeowners shy away from renovating a bathroom, fearing both the monetary and time investment. “A lot of clients see a project like a bathroom as being this monstrous feat that just scares them,” he says. But bathrooms are one of the easier projects to tackle, DeLise assures. The key is to go into the project expecting a complete overhaul. “You have to start fresh when doing a bathroom remodel, especially if it’s in an older home,” he advises. “Even a house that’s just 20 years old is going to have some problems somewhere. This is your opportunity to uncover them, and make sure everything is working to its full potential.” Tackling an entire room might also uncover hidden problems. And while it might drive up the price of your project slightly, that money is being spent on removing potential health hazards and, when it comes time to sell, securing the price you’ll get for your home. “If something like a faulty shutoff valve or some mold on a tile in the corner of the bathroom shows up on a home inspection report, your potential buyer can very easily start knocking thousands off your asking price,” DeLise says.
For more information on all of DeLise’s services, go online at finerfinishesllc.net.
HOME
32 / HOME / AUGUST 2012
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Meet Your Friends at the Best Happy Hour in Town!5 – 7 Weekdays! Then Stay for Dinner!
Wednesday and FridayJoin us for Piano Music provided during the dinner hour by Dave Gustafson!6 – 10 pm
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Big City Dining in the Heart of Doylestown
SPOTLIGHT
ON DISPLAY IN NEW HOPE
Bucks County has always had a reputation for its natural beauty and the artwork it inspires. And deeply
engrained in that culture is a community of craftsmen, who work with wood, clay and metal, as well as paint and canvas. “There’s a tremendous amount of variety,” explains Mindy Spray, spokeswoman for the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen (BCGC). “It’s everything from wood and fiber to pottery, gold and glass.” Founded more than 40 years ago, the Guild boasts around 100 members and diligently endeavors toward helping local craftsmen both network and find outlets for their work. Later this month, the group is holding their first Fine Crafts at the Winery show. Scheduled for August 25 and 26 at the New Hope Winery, the event will divide the winery’s barn and patio into booths, each displaying the fare of a variety of craftsman for the enjoyment
of the public. The show will also feature a wine tasting and snacks. Admission is free. “We’re really excited about this partnership,” Spray says. “The winery has worked with local musicians before and has opened their venue to visual artists. They were very happy to work with us.” Guild members hope that the event will become an annual happening similar to some of the highly regarded art shows across the area. Spray says the show is juried, meaning only craftsmen who produce the highest-quality products are included. And while this might exclude some, it ensures each exhibitor’s work displays an excellence that distinguishes them from the mainstream. “The original works of our featured craftsmen have been juried for excellence in craftsmanship, resolved design and unique style,” Spray explains. “Taken together, these benchmarks produce a ‘Wow’ factor that our customers appreciate.”
The Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen
36 / SPOTLIGHT / AUGUST 2012
dtownmag.com / 37
BY KYLE BAGENSTOSE / PHOTOS COURTESY OF MINDY SPRAY
It’s the culture of Bucks County, she continues, that allows such work to thrive. “There’s a certain sophistication in the residents and buyers of this area. People here anticipate handmade goods,” Spray explains. “They want real wood, real pottery – something that someone made with their hands. They appreciate the joy of discovering a new craft, the perfect piece for their home and learning how it was made.” The BCGC is one of 11 chapters comprising the larger Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen (PGC). “There are other craft groups like goldsmiths, potters, woodworkers. They’re all very strong, but it can be difficult to network with others throughout the state,” Spray says. “The PGC acts as an umbrella group for all craftsmen.” In addition to inherently incubating the continuation of long-held crafting traditions, the BCGC sponsors monthly programs and networking events,
as well as providing its members the opportunities to display their work whether at shows or online. And this month, Spray says, she hopes to see residents from around the area come out and support their local craftsmen: “We’re you neighbors and friends, and we’re all here in Bucks County. Come see what we do.”
For more information on the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen and a complete schedule of events, go online at bucksguild.org.
“ There’s a certain sophistication in the residents and buyers of this area. They want real wood, real pottery – something that someone made with their hands.”
– Mindy Spray
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COMMUNITY
Y ou almost certainly know their faces if not their names. They’re always quick with a smile,
a joke, some sage advice or a patient ear. And while they’re typically on the other end of a beer tap or your table, you likely count them among your friends. And this summer, some of your favorite bartenders and servers are serving up more than just your favorite food and beverage. They’re doling out some much-needed help to those who need it most. Born from the popular but intermittent Bar Wars and pig roast events sponsored in the past by the Doylestown Maennerchor, seven service-industry professionals in the borough banded together to make a difference in their community. Earlier this year, Erin Crump of the Penn Taproom; Jen Jeletic of Finney’s Pub; Steve Marks, Kathy Carr and Todd Herron of the Maennerchor;
Adam Fowler of the Iron Abbey; and Kate Kaufelds of 86 West founded the Bucks County Service Industry Charities (BCSIC). “We thought that if we combined the events and our efforts, we could give back to the community that has given so much to us,” Crump says. “We may not have a lot of money or very much extra time, but, in our experience, we’ve found that our fellow bartenders and servers are very generou people. And with the connections we’re able to make in these positions, we can build bridges and garner support for our cause.” This weekend, the BCSIC is holding their first event: the Freedom Four Festival. Partnering with a local chapter of Operation Homefront, an organization dedicated to providing emergency financial and other assistance to the families of both active service members and veterans, all the funds raised will go to helping local active military, veterans,
The Bucks County Service Industry Charities(BAR)TENDING TO THE COMMUNITY
40 / COMMUNITY / AUGUST 2012
dtownmag.com / 41
BY SCOTT HOLLOWAY / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ERIN CRUMP
reservists and their families. “After hearing some of the national statistics on soldiers who have served our country still being in need – some claiming as high as 60 percent – we knew we wanted to raise money to help,” Carr says. Fowler, a former Marine, adds, ““If we can help one family pay their oil bill while a husband is stationed overseas, I’ll consider the Freedom Four a success.” On Aug. 12, a fun-filled day kicks off at the Maennerchor Field, located at Cold Spring Creamery Road and Route 313, in Doylestown at 11 a.m. with a single-pitch, single-elimination softball tournament. The winning squad receives a cash prize, as well as all-important bragging rights. For those who relish the open road rather than the dirt and grass of the diamond, a motorcycle poker run revs up in New Hope at 10:30 a.m. Starting at Fran’s Pub with stops in Easton and Quakertown along the 85-mile ride – each stop supplies another card – the best
hand wins both the pot and the day. Back at the field, Marks and Carr are hosting the all-you-can-eat-and-drink pig roast. With all the cookout staples and two pigs, Doylestown restaurants and individual donations will supply much of the food. Bar Wars, billed as a “field-day for grown-ups,” will feature several co-ed teams representing area taverns. Competing in a dizzy-bat relay, keg rolls, a three-legged martini race and an obstacle course among others, the winning team will not only get to hold the trophy for a year, but have their name engraved on its base, as well. The Freedom Four Festival will also feature live music and child-friendly activities. With an eye toward the future, the BCSIC plans to host fundraisers throughout the year, supporting different segments of the community with each. On Oct. 21, they’ll host the fourth-annual chili cook-off at the Maennerchor, raising money for local families who need a little extra help during the holidays. More events are already in the early planning stages. “Ultimately, we would like our efforts to spread,” Crump says. “We’d love to eventually see other chapters of Service Industry Charities form and do good in other communities.”
Tickets for the Freedom Four Festival are $25. For more information on all the day’s events and activities, to volunteer or to donate, go online at buckscountysic.org.
“In our experience, we’ve found that our fellow
bartenders and servers are very generous people.”
– Erin Crump
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SEMANTICS
T hey say that the lower shelves in any supermarket aisle hold the products that are the most
appealing to children. If that’s the truth, I can safely say that kids have no taste. I already know, informed by the precarious sign that lingers above me, that the “Prepared Foods,” which seem to stretch for a country mile, can’t be good for my health, spiritually, emotionally, physically, insert your choice of adverb here. But on a student budget, you have to get in where you fit in. And a 99-cent box of macaroni and chees fits like a glove. You might think that it’s an easy choice. After all, it’s essentially only two ingredients. But that’s what separates the amateur from the auteur. First move: eliminate the imposters. You could go with Velveeta as long as you’re in the mood for something that appears to be the scrapings from
a Texas roughneck’s worn boot. You could take a flyer on the Bob Evans’ variation, assuming that chewy, lifeless and a flavor that reminds you of Styrofoam infused with the essence of an unfinished basement ranks high on your palate. Then there’s the dreaded store brand. Only the truly adventurous or brave take those first steps down this precarious path. For those in the know, Kraft is the first and last name in easy and quick meals. If knowing is half the battle, you should realize that even the trusted can lead you astray. The marketing gurus at Kraft have tried to fool us. By seeming divine intervention, they stumbled upon perfection way back in 1937. In today’s lingo, this is referred to as “Original.” And while anyone with any sense would simply stop there, they’ve refused to heed the warning. In addition to what should
The Importance of Being Earnest
44 / SEMANTICS / AUGUST 2012
“I’m 200 pages deep in an anatomy textbook that would make Tolstoy proud. I look in my pantry and find a lone box of mac ‘n’ cheese lingering in the back like
an old friend with a familiar touch.”
dtownmag.com / 45
BY CATHERINE WHALEN
be considered an award-winning recipe – or a gift to humanity – Kraft also offers lines such as Four Cheese, Thick N’ Creamy, Whole Wheat and the dreaded Spiral. And while their chefs have had their nose to the grindstone, their design team hasn’t. Each variety comes packaged in a strikingly similar box. If you’re not careful, it can ruin an evening. Last Wednesday, 11:42 p.m. I’m 200 pages deep in an anatomy textbook that would make Tolstoy proud. Words upon words – long ones at that – can create quite an appetite. I look in my pantry and find a lone box of mac ‘n’ cheese lingering in the back like an old friend with a familiar touch. Water boiled, noodles drained and complete with my signature mix of mustard, garlic and hot peppers, we sit down to reminisce. But even as I twirl the first bite onto my fork and past my
expectant lips, I notice something is wrong. Racing to the trashcan, I’m horrified. Amid the familiar blue-and-yellow color scheme, I see the problem literally spelled out before me: S-P-I-R-A-L. How had I been so careless? How had the cashier not warned me? Why have you forsaken me? Perhaps when I’m further along in my chemistry major I’ll be able to provide an analytical discourse as to why the Spirals – or any variation for that matter – just don’t make the grade. The cheese doesn’t spread but rather collects in chunks like unwanted newspapers on a commuter train. No matter how much you stir or how much heat you add, the consistency never evens. And the noodles, don’t get me started. Instead of a symphony in your mouth, it’s akin to a grade-school band. The foundation is solid, but the notes just aren’t there. If it’s not “Original,” it’s not for me.
MON-THUR: 10-6 FRI-SAT: 10-9SUN: 11-7 & by appointment
VILLAGE ARTWORKSPeddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA215-794-5744VILLAGE ARTWORKS
FR AMING
Christopher Willett, born in 1959, is a Bucks County painter with a family lineage dating back to the Plymouth settlers who arrived in this country aboard the Mayflower. Willett’s fourth-great grandfather, Augustine Willett, was a captain under General Washington. Willett is also a descendant of Edward Hicks, known for his work titled Peaceable Kindom.
In more recent history, Willett artisans were renowned for their designs and beautiful works in stained glass that adorn the Bryn Athyn Cathedral on the Pitcairn Estate.
LC ConstructionLee Cox1953 Turk Rd 1953Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: [email protected]
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At LC Construction, you will find only the highest quality products. When it comes to choosing materials or hand-crafting cabinets and furniture, our professional work is backed by many years of experience. We readily incorporate your ideas and needs into each project, provide you with samples and guide you through the decision-making process.
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FOOD & DINING
REINVENTING THE PAST, CELEBRATING THE FUTURE
T hree years ago, Pete and Marie D’Costa fell in love. Again. While the couple married 16
years ago, this time the pair became enamored with the majestic giant that stood shuttered and silenced in the middle of Frenchtown: the National Hotel. Acting on an irresistible urge and employing plenty of elbow grease, the D’Costas eventually took the plunge and reopened the doors of the famous landmark, bursting at the seams with a rich tapestry of history that fascinates them still. “I love talking to our guests about the legacy, the many notable people who stayed here,” Marie says. “But even more so, the colorful innkeepers who loved the National Hotel with heart and soul. This grand old building pulls you in. Pete and I
know that it’s a privilege to have this great opportunity to be at the helm of this new chapter in its history.” And so far, the couple has been embraced by their patrons, who continue to encourage them every step of the way. “I always thank people for coming in,” Pete adds. “But before I get a chance to say it, they’re thanking me for bringing this place back.” Built in 1833 and remodeled in 1850, the National Hotel has long serviced weary travelers. Once a popular stagecoach stop, the hotel has housed its share of interesting characters, including Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley. “I had the pleasure of meeting a former owner’s great-granddaughter,” Pete says. “She gave me a copy of a picture signed, ‘To the National, from Annie Oakley.’” With such history breathing through its walls, it’s no surprise that a few former guests may have never left. The stories of ghost
The National Hotel
48 / FOOD & DINING / AUGUST 2012
BY INGRID WEIDMAN / PHOTOS BY WENDY MCCARDLE
dtownmag.com / 49
sightings, both in written accounts from prior owners as well as stories recounted by former guests, abound. And while it’s easy to celebrate the past, the D’Costas are looking toward the National’s future. With the new monthly National Wine Club – special selections guests can enjoy chosen to complement the varied international and traditional dishes on their menu or at home – launching next month, 10 rooms, a distinguished restaurant and a downstairs pub featuring some of the best entertainment in the area, they offer a one-of-a-kind lodging and dining experience for both locals and travelers. “We want to make our guests’ stay here memorable,” Pete says. “The National Hotel has also become the area’s premiere late-night destination.” Leaving the Victorian theme to other establishments, the rooms at the National can only be described as exotic. Bamboo beds, antiques and Jacuzzis are only some of the surprises found behind every door. Employing the expertise of general manager Marlon Aranha, a veteran of the service industry, guests can book any one of several options the National offers, including the Wellness, Massage, Adventure and Seasonal packages. Each is designed to ensure their clientele unique encounters during their stay. “We’ve listened to our guests and put together special packages that resonate with them, which can be personalized to suit each individual’s tastes and needs,” Pete says. While the area features a myriad of culinary options, few can match the National’s offerings. “Our menu is exciting, using authentic spices from around the world to bring out exquisite nuances in traditional dishes complemented by international selections that have become some of
our guests’ favorites,” explains Lisa Frederick, executive chef at the National with over 15 years of experience in some of the best local kitchens, on the culinary philosophy she describes as New American with an international flair. “I’m a realist, and I love food. The most important thing to me is understanding the product and allowing it to speak its own language.” By supporting local and sustainable farmers, the National is able to take advantage of the area’s freshest produce in accordance with a seasonally changing menu. Keeping culinary flexibility and her customers’ tastes in mind, Frederick and the National offers a number of dishes to satisfy nearly any palate. The popular Lebanese platter features a spread of hummus, baba ghanoush, fattoush salad, flat breads and homemade crackers. The 10-ounce sliced churrasco steak, marinated in a Chilean herb-and-chili sauce with mint served over roasted-garlic mashed potatoes and choice of sauce, or the one-half freebird chicken, marinated in authentic Indian korma spices with almonds, raisins and coconut crème over cardamom basmati rice, take diners on an international culinary tour. The Mumbai chili will warm the chilliest of guests with a flavorful mix of ground beef, lentils and Indian spices. For appetites with a taste for something a little closer to home, the classic hamburgers and fish and chips offer patrons old favorites. Guests are also invited to unwind at the bar with any one of the National’s signature drinks. The D’Costa’s summer favorite is the Mango Bango, a blend of vodka, cointreau, mango puree and lime juice. Like many historical buildings, the National has a secret – in the basement. The affectionately nicknamed Rat is everything an old-school bar should be:
FOOD & DINING
50 / FOOD & DINING / AUGUST 2012
dark, neon-lit and a hell of a lot of fun. But the downstairs oasis does more than just serve up a cold one and a good burger. Some of the area’s hottest entertainment can be found underground. “The advantage to the cellar bar is that we can have performers and not interfere with the dining experience upstairs,” Pete says. Every other Tuesday is trivia night. Wednesday’s Ladies’ Night features half-priced drinks from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is always a favorite for catching up with friends. Thursday nights feature a popular open mic. “It’s huge,” Marie says. “People show up in the middle of snow storms.” Weekends offer the Rat’s premier event: the Saturday Night Live Music Performance Series, featuring some of the best performers in the area with the first Saturday of every month dedicated to a musical theme. Looking toward the remaining summer months, the D’Costas have
big plans in store, including an Indian culinary weekend, the official launch of their monthly wine club and several other events. “That’s the beauty of being in this lovely, artistic area. There’s always something to do, because the region lends itself to simple joys like strolling along the river or enjoying unique area festivals such as Riverfest in September and the Green Fair in the fall,” Marie says. “Frenchtown is a great place to visit. It’s even better if you can stay a while and truly savor it.”
For a complete look at all the National Hotel has to offer, go online at thenationalhotelnj.com.
BY INGRID WEIDMAN / PHOTOS BY WENDY MCCARDLE
dtownmag.com / 51
“ We want to make our guests’ stay here memorable.”
– Pete D’Costa
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August Beauty
BY CARLA MEROLLA ODELL
54 / BACKPAGE / AUGUST 2012
After the second of my older brothers left for college, my parents downsized and moved from our late Victorian into a new apartment building. While I don’t recall Mom having much of a green thumb while we were in the house, in the apartment, she grew plants. Maybe it was because we lived on the top floor, in our aerie, that she was inspired to connect, in whatever way she could, with the earth. So alongside the large picture windows that faced south and west, she nurtured a jungle of much-loved greenery, which soon came to include a young gardenia my dad carried home in a small pot one day. I never thought about why this variety is called August Beauty. The gardenia is an evergreen and blooms its linen-white flowers, which will yellow to the softest touch, in late spring or early summer. Year after year, the gardenia grew steadily, claiming its territory until finally, with my parents back in a house
now, Dad moved the plant into the cellar, where it continued to thrive under a grow light. I always felt sad, upon every visit to the basement, that the reward for having lived a long and fruitful life was that the four-foot, yard-and-a-half-wide gardenia was now living alone. At 83, Mom lives alone. When she needed surgery to reverse a crippling condition, followed by months of in-patient rehab, my one brother took care of her German shepherd, and I cared for her plants, filling and refilling the bucket, traipsing into every room, up and down the stairs. But it wasn’t until I stayed to care for her while she recovered at home, as I one morning descended into the basement to start a load of laundry, when I realized I’d forgotten – for all those months – to go down these steps with the watering can. I reeled around to see the grow light turned off and a few curled-up yellowed leaves scattered around a ring of discoloration on the cement floor where the large pot had sat for decades. “Mom!” I shouted up the stairs. “Where’s the gardenia?” It’s dead. I killed it. It felt as if someone had driven a semi through my chest. Sensing my despair, she called back. “Relax. Your brother and nephew carried it outside. Go see it. We pruned it back, so now it will be even healthier.” So this is why I now think this gardenia is called August Beauty. While it flowers and emanates the sweetest scent with every new summer, it never enters the “autumn” of life, halting at the apex of strength and maturity. And even when alone or forgotten, can reclaim its splendor.
dtownmag.com / 55
The Amber Inn defeated the Farmhouse
Tavern this season in the Wooden Bat Beer
League. The prize: their pic in dtown.
Doylestown and Bucks County are represented in force at
the 24 Hours of LeMons, an amateur car race where teams
enter vehicles readied for the track for under $500.
Congrats to dtown Tech’s Blake Lertzman. He and his family welcomed Zoe Rose to the world on July 30 at 10:23 a.m.
Over the years, we’ve had many requests and made many promises to publish community photos. Seeing as it’s our time to ante up, we’re making good on a few as-yet unfulfilled promises.
The Friendly Jeweler
215.345.6277Doylestown Shopping Centerwww.thefriendlyjeweler.com