Radius Magazine Issue 004

issue 004dec. 2012

free

Bucks County’s Doan Gang and a Simple Twist of Fate

194 W. Ashland Avenue • Doylestown, PA 18901(215) 340-1003 • www.thefreighthouse.net

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Radius 12-12_Full:Layout 1 12/3/12 12:09 PM Page 1

Publisher: Pearson Publishing

Editor-in-Chief: Justin Elson

Managing Editor: Jack Firneno

Art Director: Paul Rowlands

Photography: Bud Hayman

Kelly Kurteson

Contributing Writers: Jack Firneno

Carla Merolla OdellAdam Paulus

Corinne PulsinelleAnna Pajil

Ingrid WeidmanErin McNelis

Julie LachmanScott 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]

The Friendly Jeweler

215.345.6277Doylestown Shopping Centerwww.thefriendlyjeweler.com

i s s u e 0 0 4

Publisher: Pearson Publishing

Editor-in-Chief: Justin Elson

Managing Editor: Jack Firneno

Art Director: Paul Rowlands

Photography: Bud Hayman

Kelly Kurteson

Contributing Writers: Jack Firneno

Carla Merolla OdellAdam Paulus

Corinne PulsinelleAnna Pajil

Ingrid WeidmanErin McNelis

Julie LachmanScott 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]

s o u n DsGood Old War’s Good Old Stomping Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

A r t i s tRobert Beck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Co M M E rC EDonegal Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

s P ot l i G h tPrecision Watches and Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

h E A lt h + B E Au t yTall, Dark and Refreshing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

h o M EDesign and Décor Outside the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

s E M A n t i C sFootball Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

A C lo s E r lo o kThe Original Outlaws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Fo o D + D i n i n G The Ottsville Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

B AC k PAG EAll I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

See the artwork of Robert Beck on page 22…

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A r o u n d t o w n

This month’s featured community: newtownPhotos by Kelly Kurteson

12 | radius | issue 004

Summer Garry and Eliot Muka share

a moment outside Starbucks .

Elizabeth Hurst and Dixie’Drea

Hurst-Blair enjoy a warm drink .

Larry Bernard pauses for our lens on an afternoon stroll .

A painter captures a Newtown street scene on canvas .Marisa Bierman

rests on a bench on a near-perfect

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takes in Newtown’s charms .

13

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s o u n d s

Indie-folk trio Good Old War has reason to look forward to this time of year . On Dec . 20, they’ll renew their tradition of playing a holiday show at the TLA in Philadelphia . “It’s a fun night,” promises drummer Tim Arnold . “There aren’t as many bands touring right now, and it’s a real hometown gig for us . I was nervous as hell to be headlining there for the first time . But it turned out really well, and now we’re always excited to come back . We get to see our friends, and college kids get to meet up with theirs and come out . It’s laid back, but it’s also exciting .” Coming together and coming of age in Bucks County, Good Old War released its debut record in 2008 and began touring regularly . Since then, they’ve dropped two more albums and performed as the backing band on Circa Survive frontman Anthony Green’s solo debut . Looking toward 2013, the new year promises more of the same successes: a new album in the works and more shows . There’s even

good old war’s good old stomping grounds

a twist: the band’s first gig on a cruise liner in February despite, notes Arnold, guitarist Keith Goodwin’s “deathly fear of the ocean .” But for as many cities and states that the band has seen, there’s no place like home—and the TLA isn’t the only stage that holds a special place in the band’s heart . On the eve of their holiday show, we sat down with Arnold to reminisce about Good Old War’s roots and some of his favorite, most-memorable area venues .

Breaking Ground in NewtownNestled on State Street in Newtown, the Temperance House is more a local tavern than a well-known stage . But before Good Old War was packing them in downtown, they held their first holiday shows here on Thanksgiving Eve . “We did it three years in a row, starting in 2007,” Arnold says . “It was a real bar gig, playing covers

17

tucked in the corner . People would be right up against the drum kit .” The shows started as “the usual non-touring band procedure,” he says: play local haunts for some quick cash . But it was more than just an easy payday; it was the night when all their friends would come to hang out . And the bigger the band got, the more friends they had . “The night would start out chill, but, by the end, we’d all be drunk and dancing . The place would get packed, people would come up and sing with us—all sorts of debauchery,” Arnold laughs . As for the band, he says those initial shows felt more like Halloween than Thanksgiving: “It was like dressing up . We chose some of our favorite songs and put our own spin on them . It was almost like karaoke . We had to learn them all, sure, but, at the same time, we got to do our best Paul Simon and Tom Petty impressions .”

Phorays Into Philly While Arnold and his bandmates may have had hometown jitters their first time at the TLA, they might have been unwarranted . Good Old War had already proven their mettle a few miles west of the famed South Street hall . As one of the larger rock clubs in the city both in size and reputation, the North Star Bar regularly features nationally touring acts, as well as local groups . When the band took to the North Star’s stage in 2008, it was their first area show after the release of their debut album . “We shouldn’t have been nervous . We were getting good responses from the record and had already played all over California to receptive audiences,” Arnold explains . “But I definitely subscribe to the saying, ‘If you can’t make it in your hometown, you can’t make it anywhere else .’” Even though Good Old War were already used to stomping around Philadelphia


and Bucks County, playing for small and appreciative—and occasionally drunk and heckling—crowds of personal friends, that night at the North Star was the first time they truly recognized that people outside their own community were supporting them and their music . “It turned out to be the first show [in the area] where people we didn’t know came out and seriously applauded,” Arnold says . “We just looked at each other in amazement . It was when we realized the music was truly reaching people . It’s when we knew what we were doing was real, and it’s what inspired us to keep working harder .”

Backyards in Bucks CountyThis entry isn’t so much a specific locale as it is a rite of passage traversed by nearly every musician who’s ever made it out of the garage . Before the TLA, before the tours, before the Temperance House and clubs in Philadelphia, even before

Good Old War was an idea, its members were making their bones as kids in the suburbs, performing in the backyards of friends and anyone that would have them . Arnold’s high school-era band was a jazz/jam-band/progressive-rock hybrid playing mostly at friend’s parties . “We were kids . We’d play anywhere . We’d just get out there and go at it as if we were some real hot-shot musicians,” he laughs now . But this “weird little proggy outfit” played on many of the same porches and under the same decks and in the same backyards as Days Away, a nascent punk-emo band, which featured Goodwin in its ranks . The two had actually met years ago through school bands—Goodwin was singing in a district-wide choir ensemble for which Arnold was playing drums— but became friends as they shared stages while in school . The two went their separate ways after high school but, after keeping in touch, eventually found them-selves both back in Philadelphia .

“We hung out a lot . We’d always be talking about music,” Arnold recalls . “It was funny, because I was kind of a hippie, into bands like Phish, and he was emo and indie rock . But there was plenty of normal friendship stuff, too .” Despite their disparate influences, the two eventually began writing together . Arnold joined Days Away and later the two went on to form Good Old War with bassist Dan Schwartz . Today, the trio is far from the back-yards where they first started playing, but their yearly TLA show brings them just a little closer .

Good Old War will be performing at the TLA on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Go online at goodoldwar.com

By Jack Firneno Photos Courtesy of Andy Patch

s o u n d s

“I definitely subscribe to the

saying, ‘If you can’t make it in

your hometown, you can’t make it

anywhere .” — Tim Arnold

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A r t i s t

By Corinne Pulsinelle Photos Courtesy of Robert Beck

“ The artistic process is more precious than its results.”

When Robert Beck paints, he not only offers us a window into his sharpened perspective on everyday life, but he does so in a way that doesn’t attempt to mask his process and expertise . Both a respected artist and local columnist who many know as a dedicated communal force, Beck has long supported a local network of artists, offering exhibition space, as well as instruction for burgeoning and established artists to learn more about their craft . The Robert Beck Gallery and Academy in Lambertville, is the lauded painter’s way of giving back to the community that maintains such a richly creative environment . “The artistic process is more precious than its results . Opportunities are rare and prized, too,” Beck says . “You have to be prepared for when they happen, but you also have to provide them .” And so far, his words have proven to be prophetic . After celebrating his 40th birthday, Beck leaped at the opportunity to drop his career in business to pursue his true

passion . He enrolled in a prestigious and rigorous program at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia . Entering his studies in search of the necessary skills to document his life experiences, both internal and external, Beck counts it among the best decisions of his life . “I knew that if I was going to paint for a living, I had to learn from good people,” he says . “You can teach yourself . It only takes 150 years .” At the academy, Beck fell under the influence of early 20th-century artists such as John Sloan, Robert Henri and the Ashcan School, an artistic movement known for delivering subject matter which did not avoid the grit that the Impressionists had often omitted . Both masters and students alike focus on their raw portrayal of urban life . For Beck, the style became a channel for his own experiences . “There was a burst of people who came out of the academy and made documentary work,” he says . “I was drawn

RobeRt beck

2323

For a look at more of Robert Beck’s work, go online at robertbeck.net.


25

to the idea of painting everyday objects and events, not just making ‘nice’ paintings .” After gradutaing, while Beck wasn’t necessarily a starving artist, he does remember having “eaten cheaply .” Looking for just the right muse, Beck finally settled in New Hope, which readily provided an art market coupled with a professional and emotional safety net . In 1999, he opened the Robert Beck Gallery and Academy, which has since moved across the river . Reflecting the ethos of its founder, Beck says “students do as much as they can, as well as they can . We keep the bar high, and good things happen .” With a refreshingly simple philosophy, Beck is both prolific in his work and adventurous in life . He creates work that changes as quickly as the ground under his feet . While the audience can always rely on the quality of his work, his subject matter is a constant variable while still maintaining a continuity and voice that is distinctly Beck . “Even though the work

changes, you can still tell that I made it,” he offers . “The people who follow me, who understand and appreciate me, allow for these changes and like to see where I am going next .” And where is Beck headed creatively? While that’s arguably an impossible question to answer, his body of work offers solid clues as to what really grabs his attention and what’s worthy of capturing on his canvas . Beck first sets out to capture the “here and now,” considering constants like time and motion juxtaposed with ethereal elements like memory and emotion . For instance, within a bar, Beck carefully watches as servers navigate the space . “I have to not only remember what I am seeing, but I have to imagine how things will look in the future,” he explains . “I get to know the identity of the place and how it works, all of which I include in my image .” And that image, fleeting and temporal, define both our and Beck’s experience .

A r t i s t

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C o m m e r C e

Tucked at an angle and housed in grey stone building along North Main Street in Doylestown, Donegal Jewelers looks itself like a perfectly set gem. At the shop, named for the county in Ireland where owner Alexa Breslin’s paternal grandparents were born in 1901, shoppers won’t just find claddagh rings and shamrocks . Along with a variety of Irish-themed pieces as well as Waterford crystal and Belleek china, the store also offers a bouquet of interesting and unique jewelry choices, including custom wedding and engagement pieces . “Jewelry can communicate beauty and history,” Breslin says . “It’s what I love about it and what I try to share with my customers .” Breslin attributes her love of beautiful things to her mother and father, an English teacher and a jeweler respectively . “I grew up stopping by my dad’s jewelry shop almost every day,” she says . “He always showed me something interesting and spectacular and explained its meaning

and significance . Those experiences gave me an appreciation for detail and fine craftsmanship .” Beginning her foray into the business early, Breslin began working with her father during high school and later earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and master’s in business administration . She went on to work for several large companies, employed as a corporate art consultant specializing in fine-art appraisal . She opened Donegal Jewelers in November 2010, blending art and commerce under a single roof . “I’ve always loved antique jewelry, especially the history of it,” Breslin explains . “So it was natural fit for me to return to it and open my own shop .” Fresh off celebrating their two-year anniversary, every piece at Donegal Jewelers tells a unique story, which, along with a personalized experience for every customer, is something that’s lacking at corporate jewelry stores . “Some people

Donegal Jewelers

Passion, Personality and Precious Stones

Alexa Breslin, owner of Donegal Jewelers, offers her customers

a unique selection and a refreshing shopping

experience.

29

“Jewelry can communicate

beauty and history . It’s what

I love about it and what I try to

share with my customers .”

— Alexa Breslin

feel intimidated by the experience that some of the bigger chain stores offer,” Breslin offers . “I’ve tried to create a space that is inviting . Customers are comfortable here . I enjoy putting unique pieces into the hands of people who will appreciate them .” Emphasizing her philosophy, entering Donegal Jewelers is akin to walking into a friend’s home—a friend, of course, who just happens to have an amazing jewelry collection . The shop’s atmosphere, warmed by both a knowledgeable and friendly staff, has garnered it more than a few loyal clients . “One of my regulars is married to an entomologist,” Breslin says . “He comes in looking for interesting insect pieces for her, so now I am always on the lookout for something she might like .” Currently, one of the most stunning pieces in the shop is an Etruscan-style gold filigree pendant set with nine purple amethysts, totaling 45 carats . The pendant is an example of the Etruscan revival


jewelry from the mid-1800s and features a filigree metalwork technique originally developed in northwestern Italy during the 6th to 3rd centuries B .C . Cameos, another offering at the shop, came back into fashion around the same time . These shell or hard-stone portraits bridged the gap between painted miniatures, which were going out of style in the same era, and the photograph, a medium just beginning to emerge as an art form . And while the showroom is certainly filled with a dazzling and eclectic mix of jewelry, that personalized and singular vibe extends to the very décor with artwork and a collection of German beer steins also on display . On the far wall hang two sepia photographs given to Breslin by a friend when she opened the shop . The images depict scenes from County Donegal: docked fishing boats framed by a distant village, paths leading farther into the world trapped by the

frame . One look and it’s easy to imagine you have walked into a shop on those streets, all at once in that far-away town yet also so familiar . Even outside, the Trinity knot or triquetra sign on North Main Street speaks volumes to Breslin’s singular approach . The symbol has a variety of meanings as extensive as the collection in the shop it represents . For some, it represents life, death and rebirth, and so it seems fitting that Breslin chose it to symbolize her career renaissance in the jewelry industry . “It feels like home,” she says . “Jewelry has always been a passion of mine, and I’m happy with my decision to return .”

For a complete look at Donegal Jewelers’ offerings and service, go online at donegaljewelers.com.

By Erin McNelisPhotos by Bud Hayman

C o m m e r C e

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s p o t l i g h t

Holiday shopping can get complicated. And I’m not talking the unrelenting battles with traffic, unruly crowds and the sudden urge to destroy any radio blaring incessant Christmas tunes . But it doesn’t have to be . Don’t abandon the quirky, one-of-a-kind gift ideas you might have, but don’t forsake the time-honored and the reliable . They’ve earned that title for a reason, because everyone appreciates shiny things in small boxes come this time of year . “Precision Watches and Jewelry is built upon a simple, singular philosophy: great products and even greater service,” says

Inna Atia, a spokesperson for the store located at 1528 Main St . in the Valley Square Lifestyle Center in Warrington . “We offer some of the finest watches, including brands such as Breitling, Michele and Omega, and impeccable jewelry from Roberto Coin and Lagos among others . We look for both quality and aesthetic beauty in what fills our cases .” And when it come to watches and jewelry, it’s hard to find anyone better versed in the industry . Owned and operated by three generations of watchmakers, Precision is the epitome of a family-run business . Michael Murat has been a watchmaker for almost 60 years while his son, Gary, studied under master watchmaker Vitaly

Exquisite Expertise


By Scott HollowayPhoto by Bud Hayman

Markitan—once considered the finest in all of the Soviet Union . Combining their talents, the duo opened their first shop in 1991 . Joined by Roman in 2001, the third generation to enter the family business, the store added the sale of fine watches to their repertoire . Capitalizing on their combined expertise, it’s Precision’s repair service that truly sets them apart . Whether a full-movement service—adjusting the many tiny parts inside a watch to keep them working in harmony—or a restoration, you can be assured you’re in the best hands in the area . “When you come into the store, you’re not leaving with just a watch,” Atia says . “You’re leaving with the assurance

that should something go wrong, you have experts available who can diagnose and fix any issue .” And as the holidays approach, the team at Precision Watches and Jewelry want you to know they’re at your disposal . “We have tons of great gifts available in the store, whether it’s a new piece or perhaps something older you want to get working again,” Atia says . “Our staff will do everything they can to make sure you leave with the something that will absolutely make someone’s holiday .”

For a complete look at all of Precision Watch and Jewelry’s products and services, go online at precisionwatches.com.

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heAlth + BeAuty

Tall, Dark and Refreshing


Words like tall and dark might seem like superficial descriptions about someone’s attractiveness . But when it comes to beer—yes, beer—those are good qualities that are much more than skin deep . That’s because a dark beer can actually be good for you . Not only have studies shown that drinking a moderate amount of alcohol can be helpful in reducing heart disease, but darker beers have higher concentrations of beneficial nutrients . And those benefits of “going dark” extend to food, as well as drink .

Darker Hues Make Healthier BrewsThe color of beer is influenced by nutrients called flavonoids . They’re compounds that protect the body’s cells from damage, and, in food and drink, can appear in color anywhere from yellow to purple . The darker the beer, the more potent the flavonoids in it . And due in part to the carmelization process that gives those beers their more

opaque appearances, those porters and stouts yield higher flavonoid counts . And even though they might look heavier, you’re also actually consuming fewer calories drinking the darker brews than if you were enjoying a lighter-colored beer . For example, Budweiser actually has more calories than Guinness: 145 calories per 12 ounces as opposed to only 125 calories, respectively . As for so-called light beers, they’re just empty calories . Instead, choosing a quality beer and having fewer of them will feed both your mind and your body . Even the sometimes-maligned non-alcoholic beers have their benefits . For starters, they’re free of the toxic high-fructose corn syrup that causes weight gain, which also makes them a better option than soda . Plus, the hops content still contains antioxidants and contributes to the relaxing effects of a cold one . In a study where overstressed nurses drank non-alcoholic beer every night, the consumption produced significantly improved sleep patterns .

Beer–and More– That’s Actually Good for You

39

heAlth + BeAuty

The Darker the BerryThe darker-is-better idea extends to more than just beer . In fact, it can serve as a motif for your entire diet . Consider that plants have to protect themselves from the elements . They do this by pumping antioxidants like flavonoids into their “skin .” That high antioxidant content is the reason red wine’s health benefits have been lauded for years . It’s also why the skin of many fruits and vegetables like apples, blueberries and plums is much darker and richer than the flesh itself . Providing more than just fiber, the nutrients also help keep our own skin protected from the sun and environmental toxins, as well as help fend off the effects of stress and junk food . And the antioxidants’ benefits extend beyond just vanity . Looking good on the outside truly means that we’re healthy on the inside . Certain cancers are more common in those with a lower antioxidant levels, and those same antioxidants are also

used to treat other health conditions . Take eye problems . The flavonoids in blueberries help the small blood vessels in the eye stay healthy and may be recommended for diabetics with retinal problems and for those suffering from cataracts . These wonder compounds also may protect our cholesterol from becoming oxidized . Oxidized? That’s right . New ideas are being proposed that don’t blame cholesterol itself for heart disease but only oxidized cholesterol . Of course, the same dietary precautions you follow if you’re concerned with or have to monitor your cholesterol levels should always be followed as more cholesterol will increase the chances that it could oxidize and produce damage .

Flavorful Flavonoid MenusIf you’re convinced but not sure where to start, here are some quick and easy ways to boost your antioxidants . When eating out, choose romaine lettuce or mixed greens as the base of your salad and take sweet over baked potatoes—this applies to fries, too . Instead of starches for sides, order vegetables . Starches like rice and pasta are devoid of antioxidants . Another healthy and flavorful option is adding roasted red peppers to sandwiches and hoagies . They’re high in vitamin C . At home and work, add greens like kale among the many other options any time you can . Avoid fat-free salad dressings . Fat actually helps you absorb antioxidants . Add fresh or frozen fruits to the griddle when making pancakes or French toast . Blueberries and peaches cook up nicely . And perhaps most importantly, shop locally . The nutrient content of local produce is far higher, because it’s not diminished by extended storage or shipping .

— By Julie Lachman, NMD


darker is not only better when it comes to beer and wine—it’s actually good for you.

h o m e

With the depths of winter fast approaching, you’ll likely soon find yourself spending more time at

home than usual . And in taking to your indoor environs, you might also notice the

couch that used to be all the rage now seems a little dated or your wallpaper

simply doesn’t suit you anymore . But no matter what could stand a little improving and the season for doing so upon us, there’s no better time to make your home all it can be . We sat down with Nick Bewsey, co-owner of Blue Raccoon Home Furnishings in Lambertville, who, along with business partner

Nelson Zayas bring over 50 years combined experience to their home

décor business, to learn how to give your home a quick, affordable facelift

without the major renovations .

Design & Décor Outside the Box

Reinventing Your Home in 3 Easy Steps

1.) Expand Your PaletteSometimes it’s the simple changes that have the greatest impact . “Paint is essential,” Bewsey says . “The color of the walls, the color of that space, it speaks to the environment of a home and a personal mood . Happiness, safety, comfort . It speaks to all of those things .” Relying on Zayas’ design experience, the Blue Raccoon team often assesses and recreates clients’ homes by placing a priority on just the right color schemes . But they don’t exactly play by the old rules . “Traditional designers might say not to paint a dining room blue, because, subliminally, that’s unappetizing,” Bewsey explains . “And that’s not entirely true . There are an infinite number of shades . The hard and fast rules don’t apply . With our approach, Nelson [Zayas] evaluates the look and light in a home, and, especially after talking with and building a relationship

with the client, he can pretty much zero in on the perfect color and shade . And that’s what it gets down to .”

2.) Take a SeatWhile tackling the walls will certainly change the look and feel of a room, you’re still left with what filled it before . And if refurnishing the space isn’t an option, simply rearranging the placement of your old furniture is an easy, budget-conscious and impactful start . “When Nelson [Zayas] visits a home, he often sees everything pushed up against the walls,” Bewsey says . People will fill a room, because they equate the parameters of a space with its value . We often recommend floor plans with furniture away from the wall . It creates a more cozy space and makes it more relatable . When you’re sitting on your sofa and someone is on a chair, you’re not across the room . There can be flow and air around things .”

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h o m e

Another quick and clean option is slip-covers . Offering a number of options at Blue Raccoon such as Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, a décor company specializing in furniture coverings, changing the look of a room is almost instantly attainable . “As much as people love a beautiful sofa with an expensive fabric, they’ve also have a cat that likes to scratch, a dog that likes to sleep on the sofa, young kids who love to crayon or teenagers who love to lounge and play video games,” Bewsey explains . “Slipcovers, besides being useful, can look beautiful . They’re not sloppy; they’re very tailored . You can get a look that’s a little more country or a little more modern in seconds . They’re a good solution for a lot of families and a lot of homes .”

3.) Maximize and AccessorizeIf you’re not quite ready for somewhat wholesale changes, there are more-subtle routes you can also choose . Throw a different color pillow or lap blanket on the sofa or add a few frames on the wall . “Sometimes, it’s as simple as adding a burst of color .” Bewsey

says . “We go into a home, and clients might say, ‘I like the furniture I have, but I’m just not happy here . What can I do?’ A little bit of color makes a big difference .” Bewsey also offers collections as another way to reorient a space . “We focus on personalizing the room, asking our customers to define themselves . When you go in to certain homes, you walk in and see family pictures all over the place . We love that, because that sort of collection can help characterize the room,” he says . “Maybe we’ll reframe things; maybe we’ll re-hang a collection of photos on the wall .” But it doesn’t stop with just pictures . “Some clients might like to travel and have picked up mementos from their trips . Whatever it is, they are collecting bits and pieces,” Bewsey adds . “If anything, we refocus their collections . And if they don’t have any, we help them establish collections . People thrive with a sense of place .”

By Anna PalijPhotos by Kelly Kurteson and Courtesy of Jean Stratton


For a complete look at Blue Raccoon Home Furnishing’s services and wares, go online at:blueraccoon.com

15 South Main StreetNew Hope, PA215.862.7044

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s e m A n t i C s

One of my favorite F. Scott Fitzgerald lines comes from his short story BaBylon Revisited, written way back in 1930. It’s a simple quote really: “He woke upon a fine fall day—football weather .” On its surface, it means very little . But, it’s a clear description that I easily understand . We all know what football weather is, whether we’re fans of the game or not . In the story, Fitzgerald is in France, world weary and tired . His environs reminds of him of his youth, of America, of the East Coast . Perhaps it also reminds him that the summer of his life is gone, that the weather has slightly and imperceptibly changed to middle age or beyond . It’s memories and familiarity, scent triggering remembrances and the stunningly familiar evoking emotion .

I saw the grey storm clouds coming up from the south, growing tangibly closer, but I ignored them . I was trying to rake some leaves from the yard and deposit them into the street before the municipal truck came by and swept them all away . But the storm outran me to the curb, and the leaves were blowing back in my face by the time I reached its concrete precipice . This was an effort in redundancy, a study in pointlessness . The driveway and backyard that I had already cleared was now scattered with hundreds more displaced, crackling leaves . I stood with the rake held to my chin, watching the last remnants of fall blow back from my pile and the remaining few drop from the trees, loosely, vaguely, without pattern, with grace and ease .

By Adam Paulus

4747

Mud caked your mouth, nostrils and

teeth; even your eyelashes weren’t

spared…it was a young boy’s dream.

s e m A n t i C s

The now-steady rain was cold on my face . If I were 25 years younger, there is no way I would have missed this storm: the not-too-cold weather, piles of leaves here and there, patches of lawn where the grass had worn away in the neighbor’s yard forming a mud pit . The 10 or 12 boys around my neighborhood would’ve already been choosing up sides over at the Johnson house for a rain-game special of backyard football . I can see the bikes, lying there atop the driveway, all left out to rust, our sleeves rolled up while the ball rose elegantly into the air . I was the youngest kid in my neighborhood . For some reason, that meant that I was always steady running back . I think I lost three teeth in the Johnson’s yard . My parents lost a lot more money at the orthodontist trying to get those teeth straightened years later . The teams were easy to pick . Me and the other young kid

were split up, my brother and the other oldest kid were split up, the twins were split up and then everyone else . There weren’t captains . And we wouldn’t play until it got dark out, but rather until the twins got into a fistfight . By the time their frustration turned to fisticuffs, we were all cold, tired, wet and covered head to toe with mud . I can think of few things more entertaining than sloppy backyard football at five years old . The ground was wet, so it didn’t hurt so much to get tackled . Your bones were young, soft and pliable . When you slid into the ground, you’d keep going 10 or 15 feet from the point of impact . Mud caked your mouth, nostrils and teeth; even your eyelashes weren’t spared . It was a young boy’s dream . And Mom looked so disappointed when you finally returned home .

B u c k s C o u n t y ’ s

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Today, it seems things are different . But aren’t they always . Children’s sports are no longer just games . The innocence that allowed for an impromptu backyard game is largely gone, consumed by ever-busier schedules and the demands of educators and parents . Parents go from one event to the next, bussing children like tourists following a strict itinerary prescribed by some internet travel company . Those kids, weary and exhausted, finally settle down to homework and dinner at 9 p .m . Children now lack that spontaneity to get lost somewhere . Kids weren’t ever meant to have schedules . A young boy is akin to a puppy . Throw him in a field, and let him run around until he gets tired, feed him and let him sleep . Eventually, you can start to teach him things, and he’ll grow up smart and healthy . But let them run free for a while . I think we all can agree that there’ll be plenty of time spent doing too much for everyone else in this long, dutiful life . I’m still out here raking, trying to unsuccessfully beat this storm, slowed by a winsome reticence . I don’t have to be anywhere to be for a full two hours . I can smell the air change, light hints of wood smoke, watching a dusk that creeps earlier and more ominously with every passing day . Dead leaves, holiday crowds and a book of Fitzgerald’s short stories . It seems autumn comes and goes too often now . Instead, I’m going to let the rain hit my face a while and temporarily forget I have any other commitments . Just like when I was in the Johnson’s yard, playing football in the mud . It didn’t matter that I’d have to take a bath later . It was football weather, a perfect day with a bunch of kids I haven’t seen in years but with whom I spent the entirety of my childhood .

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A C l o s e r l o o k

the Original

Outlawsbucks county’s Doan Gang and a Simple twist of Fate

51

By Adam PaulusPhotos by Bud Hayman

They were spies, horse thieves and stick-up artists. They were an intricate blend of contradictions: violent Quakers, British spies who fired upon British soldiers, murderers and protectors of women, a prototype of the confusion that marked their epoch . The Doan Gang was a notorious band of outlaws that terrorized Bucks County and Southeastern Pennsylvania, a true but somewhat simplistic description . Their most notorious deeds were done in service of the British as accomplished spies with a thorough understanding of local customs and geography . As horse rustlers, they would sell their bounty to the British army in Philadelphia . They robbed militia tax collectors and generally harassed anyone and anything connected to the Continental Army and the rebel movement . Much of their tale is apocryphal myth born of a series of articles originally published in

the Daily Intelligencer in the 1840s . Since then, the Doans have become a colonial example of revolutionary do-badders . But their actual story is far-more convoluted than just a nefarious gang of thugs and outlaws, preying on the general citizenry . To understand that story, it’s essential to recognize the realities of Bucks County in 1775 . And because so much of the Doan story is tangled in legend, it is perhaps more important to their motives than their exploits .

Reasons and RevolutionHistory is written by and for the victors . Such is our understanding of the Revolutionary War . The conflict was not a battle of American colonists taking on a tyrannical king and an uncaring and distant British aristocracy . It was not even a revolution so much as a brutal, unflinching civil war played out during a world war between fading colonial superpowers . In 1775, a majority of the



populace either favored the Crown or simply wanted to farm their land and forge a living . For local Quakers, choosing a side in a war was contradictory to their religious beliefs . They choose to remain neutral in the growing conflagration between Britain and her American colony spurred by long-simmering differences within the colonies along class, ethnic and religious lines . And to many Patriots, that neutrality seemed a choice against the cause of independence . This is the backdrop to the story of the infamous Doan Gang . But what would make a group of men transgress against their own neighbors? Why did the Doans and their followers constantly harangue their patriotic neighbors, rob them of their gold and horses at knife and gunpont? It should be remembered that the very idea of independence and self-governance was an alien concept at the time . There was nothing to say such a grand ambition could possibly be achieved, especially by such a rabble as the rebels appeared to be . The Doans were also Quakers, members of the Plumstead Meeting House, and could not, according to religious tenets, support any war, regardless of cause . Although some Quakers such as the Doans did take up arms for one side or another, most did not, afraid of banishment from the church . Quakers also refused to pay taxes that would be principally used to raise revenue for war . Throughout the revolution, county tax collectors were particularly vigilant in collecting money to raise local militias and pay for the Continental Army, much-more aggressive than their British predecessors had ever been . Quakers who refused to pay taxes were threatened by debtors’ prison and the possible confiscation of their property . Succumbing to the promised persecution, many Quakers paid the dues despite their religious objections, a matter of considerable controversy at the time .

But no matter their personal beliefs, the war, especially for those in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, was unavoidable . It had been literally brought home and often, in the eyes of Patriots, a lack of participation in the effort was simply an appeasement of British oppression . But the Doans were, if anything, men of action . They backed the Crown, which was, to them, the side that provided the smallest threat to their livelihood and that of their Quaker neighbors, as well . Throughout the war, the Doan gang harassed the American militia and its allies, stealing horses and revenues, aiding prisoner escapes and providing crucial intelligence . In robbing colonial tax collectors, the Doans were striking not so much against the American cause, but against what they perceived as bullish racketeers who extorted money from people who wanted nothing more than to be left alone . Their most notorious crime was the brazen robbery of the Bucks County Treasury in Newtown, still the largest theft of public funds in U .S . history . Legend has it that the gold stolen in the raid is still buried somewhere in the local foothills along the Delaware River that the Doans roamed, using the many caves as daytime hideouts .

A Christmas ‘Miracle’As the Revolutionary War spread across the countryside, the Doan Gang became an increasingly lawless, violent and motley band of highwaymen, a collection led by cousins Moses, Levi, Mahlon, Abraham and Joseph . Working under General William Howe’s adjutant, major John Andre, the gang, and particularly Moses, whom Andre nicknamed the Eagle Scout, played an essential role in securing the British rout of American forces on Long Island and New York in 1776, leading to General George Washington’s hasty, desperate retreat into New Jersey

5353

Levi Doan’s grave is marked by a headstone that distinctly notes his nefarious past, He was buried outside the cemetery walls despite the requests of his family.



and Pennsylvania . And while the Doan Gang had provided a crucial triumph for the Crown, the following months would place them amid arguably the most-celebrated and signature moment in American history—although you might not even know it . The fortunes of the British Empire irrevocably changed on Christmas night 1776, when Washington and his beleaguered men crossed the Delaware, surprising the Hessian garrison at Trenton during an epic northeastern blizzard . The commanding officer of the barracks, Colonel Johann Rall, died with an unread slip of paper in his pocket containing vital intelligence that would have certainly rewritten history: “Washington is coming on you down the river .” It is perhaps the most relevant oversight in Western history and the principle moment of Moses Doan’s legacy . He was the most-likely loyalist capable of such a bold nighttime ride through the harsh conditions . It was akin to the

exploits of Paul Revere and his patriots save for its grand failure . Had Rall read the note, he would almost certainly mobilized his garrison and gone to meet Washington’s meager forces as they were landing their Durham boats north of Trenton, easily wiping out resistance and ending the Revolutionary War . In such a scenario, like John Brown, Moses Doan would be remembered as a great patriot, a champion of the cause and the continuity of our English way . But that never happened . Washington struck a decisive victory, aided not by a drunken enemy—a dubious bit of hindsight written by contemporary British historians looking for a scapegoat in a Hessian uniform—but by a blinding snow storm, which had forced Hessian guards into shelters instead of on the roads and at their posts . And thus the Doan Gang became notorious outlaws, enemies of independence .

On the evening of Oct. 22, 1781, the Doan

Gang knocked on the door of John Hart, Bucks County

treasurer. After demanding the keys, the Doans made

off with a legendary fortune.

55

Violent EndsThe Doan Gang lasted barely longer than the war, pillaging from 1775 to 1783 . By the end, they had become extremely violent and volatile . Their fierce loyalty to the Crown had by now made them pariahs in their own community . Their most notorious act was the wanton, callous murder of a New Jersey preacher’s wife and mother of nine, a senseless act of senseless rage that sealed their eventual doom . They had crossed from Tory partisans to hardened criminals . Even after the war had been lost, they continued their licentious abuses . The Doans stole more horses . Their notorious robbing of the Newtown Treasury is often assumed as a reprisal for the surrender of General Charles Cornwallis’ forces at Yorktown, which effectively ended the war, though it did not lead to a cessation of hostilities . Whereas support for the cause of independence had steadily grown as its prospects seemed ever more tangible, the

Doans futilely, stubbornly persevered in fighting even while many of their Loyalist brethren had already fled to Canada and England or had already fallen on blood-soaked battlefields . However, once a side was chosen, it was often too late to escape the persecution and retribution of your enemies regardless of your personal relationship . An interesting historical aside is the tale of Nathaniel Hale, who, after his capture by the British, was identified as an American army officer and spy and sentenced to death by the testimony and identification of his own cousin, a member of the British forces . The Doans luck eventually ran out . Moses Doan, the de facto leader, was shot killed at the Halsey cabin along the Tinicum Creek in 1783 . One brother fled to Canada, and one disappeared altogether . Abraham and Levi Doan, after their arrest in 1788, were tried and publicly hanged in Philadelphia after being convicted of aiding the British . It was the last public execution in the city . When their sister petitioned the Plumstead Meeting House to bury them in their cemetery, the Quakers denied the request but allowed them to be interred on the property just outside the walls . Abraham and Levi’s graves are there to this day .

“But they are our outlaws, one of America’s

first true crime syndicates, predecessors of the James

Gang and others, a strange and uniquely American

brand of notorious anti-heroes.

Abraham Doan, buried next to his cousin, Levi, was killed in the last public execution in

Philadelphia in 1788.

An Outlaw LegacyWar makes for unfathomable animosities, strange, unthinking bedfellows, especially a civil war that turns neighbors against each other who had recently lived in peace . But the chaotic period of America’s founding was constantly pockmarked by these flashes of violent aggression that would not end simply by casting aside the chains of England as evidenced by the Fries’ and Whiskey Rebellions sparked by Pennsylvania farmers against the American government in the 1780s and 1790s . But that history has been largely whitewashed in favor of a simpler narrative, one that makes the violence and depravity of the Doans seem isolated and abhorrent . It is one where a violent murderer such as Francis Marion, the notorious Swamp Fox of South Carolina, can be cast as a true American hero, a resistor of oppression, while men such as the Doans, murderers and thieves as well, are castigated by history as thugs and outlaws . But they are our outlaws, one of America’s first true crime syndicates, predecessors of the James Gang and others, a strange and uniquely American brand of notorious anti-heroes . Perhaps they would have been revered by history as an irregular militia fighting against rebels had Moses’ note been read and understood by the German-speaking Hessian colonel who died on Dec . 26, 1776, the day that America discovered that the possibility of defeating the greatest army the world had yet seen with a ragtag assemblage of smiths and farmers lacking boots, coats, food and blankets—almost any provisions at all—was not only possible, but was in the process of being done . It also marked the day that history turned the Doans from loyal subjects of the Crown into outlaws, cutthroats and thieves . Such are the whims of war and its outcome, particularly after it has been transcribed to the page in the chronicles of the victors .


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380 North Mainat Veterans Lane, Doylestown Borough

215.345.9373www.farmhousetavern.com

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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.

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.

F o o d + d i n i n g

The Ottsville Inn


The Ottsville Inn

The twisting back roads of the Bucks County countryside are resplendent with the hidden gems they conceal. From quaint country stores to bustling farmer’s stands and from cozy inns to lively taverns, social and cultural treasures dot the map . But with many featuring histories that stretch back centuries, time can weigh heavily on our local jewels . Unless, of course, they receive just the right attention . Enter the Mignano family . Five years ago, the Ottsville Inn, located at 245 Durham Rd . just off Route 611, got the tlc it so desperately deserved . With a history of serving loyal customers over nearly 150 years, Filippo Mignano purchased the historic Ottsville Inn and, along with his son, Pietro, lovingly restored the location to its former glory . Adding the final piece to the reinvention of his new restaurant, Filippo crafted a menu that reflected both his palate and his heritage . Hailing from a small town near Palermo, Sicily, his epicurean philosophy is turning this once-hidden gem into a culinary hotspot . Like the winding roads that lead you to the Mignano’s doors, Filippo’s journey has its own set of twists and turns . Immigrating to the United States from Sicily in 1972, he did not come stateside with chef hat in hand . “When I first arrived, I moved to Queens and did construction for a couple years,” Filippo says, “A friend of mine was opening a restaurant in Virginia, and I decided to go down and help him .” After only a few years in the business, he discovered he was a natural . And with a newfound confidence, Filippo conjured thoughts of one day opening his own place .

59

Where Family and Food Come First

By Ingrid WeidmanPhotos by Bud Hayman

Moving back north, Filippo continued his culinary career, teaming with an old friend as part of the team behind Giuseppe’s Restaurant in Ambler . But a fire still burned within . “I decided to move and branch out on my own,” he explains . “The second I saw this place, I fell in love .” After an extensive renovation with the Mignano family handing most of the work, the Ottsville Inn was transformed . Featuring beautiful wood detail and maroon accents throughout, the dining room can serves as either the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner or cozy family gathering . The full-service horseshoe bar with high-top tables lends the perfect space for locals and newcomers alike to congregate in a welcoming atmosphere . “We have one of the friendliest bars in the area,” Filippo says . “It’s always full .” And while the Mignano family put their all into reinventing their new restaurant, they put everything they have into their cuisine . Known by delivery people and

F o o d + d i n i n g

visiting customers alike to run the cleanest kitchen in the area, Filippo and Pietro add their personal passion for food into all they prepare . “My dishes are what I like to eat, how I want to be served myself,” Filippo says . Appetizers at the Ottsville Inn include a fresh fried calamari served with lemon wedges and marinara sauce and the popular stuffed Portabella, featuring your choice of roasted red peppers, baby spinach or broccoli rabe all topped with aged provolone and baked to perfection . Salads choices range from the Filippo salad, romaine hearts with grilled, seasoned Portabella mushrooms, marinated artichoke hearts, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, cucumbers, Italian olives and red onion, to the Italian antipasto complete with sliced prosciutto, cured soppresata, aged sharp provolone, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, Italian olives and red onion .

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But it’s the true Italian flavor at the heart of their menu that has the Ottsville Inn’s patrons coming back for more . And first on the list: pasta . Entrees include the pasta boscaiola served with ham, mush-rooms, red onion and peas with a splash of white wine in a rose cream sauce tossed with penne . Another popular choice is the pasta sorrentina, featuring diced plum tomatoes, fresh basil, a splash of white wine and marinara sauce tossed with potato gnocchi and topped with mozzarella, parmesan and oregano . But the Mignanos hardly limit them-selves to fresh flour-and-water delights . Eggplant takes center stage at the Ottsville Inn, demanding a section of the menu dedicated exclusively to this hearty vegetable . Along with classic parmigiana and melezani manicotti, the melazani Florentine features battered eggplant, baby spinach with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, tomato sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan and oregano . Other featured entrees include the pollo Sorrento, chicken with mushrooms and a splash of white wine simmered in a homemade tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella and the filet pizzaiola, a tender filet mignon topped with a seasoned marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan and oregano . But like any true culinary explorers, the Mignanos like to offer something a little out of the ordinary . “Some chefs aren’t open to change,” Pietro says . “Here, you can get whatever you want; anything can be made . If we have the available ingredients, we can do it . If you come in and are tired of seeing the same things on the menu, we will make you something new and different .” Featuring daily additions to their menu, the Ottsville Inn is constantly finding way to surprise the most loyal of customers . Special dishes may include the Chilean sea bass topped with scallops, shrimp, fresh pomodora and asparagus or the veal rollatini

crowned with shrimp and scallops, stuffed with panchetta and spinach and accompanied by butternut squash all in a sherry wine sauce . For those looking for a more casual bite, the Ottsville Inn’s popular bar menu is filled with all your favorite comfort foods . From gourmet pizza—gluten-free crusts are available—to homemade Focaccia bread and from Italian hoagies to the classic burger, there isn’t a craving you can’t satisfy . For families, a children’s menu is always available . With the holidays approaching, the Ottsville Inn is available for parties of up to 60 people . They can also cater or prepare any party tray for your special occasions . And it’s that kind of customer focus that separates the Mignanos from the number of culinary choices throughout the area . “This place is based on locals,” Pietro says . “We really try to focus on keeping people happy .” And Filippo agrees: “I want people to leave here full and happy . Everything we do here comes from the heart .”

For a complete look at the Ottsville Inn’s menu, go online at ottsvilleinn.com.

“ If you come in and are tired of seeing the same things on the menu, we will make you something new and different.”

— Pietro Mignano

61

B A C k p A g e

To many, this is a philosophical question . And while the discussion doesn’t date back to the marble steps of some ancient Greek agora, it is generations old: Beatles or Stones?

…Stones .

I was 14 that July when I told my mother I wanted to spend a few days with my summer friend Terry, who was a mother’s helper in the beach town where I grew up . Instead, my regular group took a bus to New York City, camped out on the street and rode that first wave that rolled in when the Madison Square Garden gates opened on the final Rolling Stones’ performance of their 1972 tour . Some of the gang was able to push their way to the front . But no matter what row you reached, seeing the Stones that particular night meant you had a ticket to the biggest birthday bash in, dare I say, the entire world? Mick turned 29 that day, and when a humongo cake was rolled out on the stage, the audience sang to him .

Fast forward a week or so when Mom walked into my bedroom, holding the latest issue of Newsweek and its coverage of Mick’s “party .” Pointing to the photo, shot from behind the band on-stage, capturing the first row of the audience as well, she asked: “Isn’t that Frank…and Sarah…and…?” “Yep,” I managed to squeeze out . She paused, narrowing her eyes as she studied the picture and the shadowy faces floating beyond the flash of the camera, knowing one of them was mine . “Did you have a good time with Terry?” she asked . I said nothing; she left my room . We never discussed it again . Over the years, I’ve come to prefer more-intimate venues . But I’ve always vowed that if the Stones came back to town I’d be there—as a sort of bookend to my mega-concert life . Now, unless you’ve been living in a cave, just don’t care or perhaps both, you would know that the Stones are on their 50 and Counting mini-tour with, as of this writing, shows in London, Brooklyn and Newark . Yes, you read that correctly . But when the tickets went on sale one early Saturday morning for the pre-Christmas shows on this side of the pond, I slept late then watched the Food Channel . So if tickets were to magically appear in the stocking I’ll be hanging up early, would I be eastbound on 78 in a Newark minute? Absolutely . But as of now, my husband and I plan on making this a pay-per-view night, where this time, I am guaranteed one of the two best seats in the house .

— By Carla Merolla Odell

All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Seats


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