And then my favorite part of every month is weekends. Duh. And this one doesn’t disappoint.

Storybook town tucked away

If you like your Saturday with a little history and a little wandering, Historic Fallsington Day is a move.

The village comes alive with folk singers, puppet shows, jugglers. Oh and Colonial dancing and Native American dancing. Not me praying there’s a historic dance off…

Basically Williamsburg, VA but make it Lower Bucks.

Six porches, 16 bands

That’s it. That’s the whole story.

Well, okay, there’s a little more. Bands are playing on porches and in driveways!

Jazz, blues, rock, folk, country, Broadway, electronic and Caribbean/Haitian music as you make your way through Langhorne.

It’s a block party where everyone’s porch becomes a concert stage.

Okay, this one has beer

If your ideal fall afternoon involves a pretzel in one hand and a beer in the other while a German brass band does its thing nearby, Peddler’s Village was thinking of you.

OctoberFeast is back this weekend. With it comes German food (obviously), a beer garden (for fancy drinking), lawn games and plenty of fall atmosphere.

And because apparently that wasn’t enough October for one location, the 150+ scarecrows are also still there for your viewing pleasure.

This is a total toss up for me. I have no idea where I’ll end up because everything sounds awesome. But I’m also battling the fall ball schedule for another 4 weeks.

Pretzel in hand might’ve got me though…

May our kids’ sports start working around our schedules,

Cait

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Paramount Realty Services and Edgewood Properties (who snatched up the 108-acre site) are prepping the old girl for a makeover.

Because we’re dealing with two heavy hitters who practically hold degrees in suburban open-air centers across PA and South Jersey, nobody is surprised by the game plan.

The enclosed mall is getting kicked to the curb to make way for a modern, open-air town center vibe. They’re going full Miley and taking a wrecking ball to roughly half the indoor space to turn the whole center inside out.

Local chatter and early plans point to a few big additions: a Whole Foods, a Dick’s Sporting Goods and roughly 500 new residential units. So, not super original to be honest.

The idea is to bring hundreds of residents who will actually walk around buying iced coffees and groceries on any given Tuesday.

They’re also eyeing space for dedicated medical offices to take full advantage of that high traffic spot right off the Turnpike.

Don’t worry, Bucks tradition isn’t totally disappearing. Boscov’s isn’t going anywhere (because where else is your mom getting her holiday shopping done?) and neither are AMC Theatres or Barnes & Noble.

As a quick side note, the former Macy’s building was bought separately by Fusion Gyms for a fitness and entertainment hub. Original plans were based around a huge gym, resort style pool, mini golf, pickleball, a barbershop. You name it, Fusion wanted to build it. (that’s on hold for the moment)

It’s out with the 1970s indoor mall culture and in with the era where you shop, eat, and get your teeth cleaned all in the same parking lot. So basically also a mall. But outside.

How are you feeling about the switch to an open-air setup?

May you get a few nostalgic steps in before it’s gone,

Cait

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Though I feel better because he was a very nice young man. And he is From Bucks…

Yes, my jokes are bad. But our history is good…

The village that almost disappeared

You can drive through Fallsington today and feel like you accidentally took a wrong turn into 1750. Which is kind of the point.

The village was settled by Quakers in the late 1600s and became a major crossroads and stagecoach stop. William Penn was even counted among the people attending meetings there.

But by the 1950s, all those historic buildings were suddenly standing in the way of suburban development.

Much like our data center fighters today, locals weren’t having it. They banded together to save the historic Burges-Lippincott House, eventually forming Historic Fallsington, Inc. in 1953. That preservation effort helped make them Bucks’ very first historic district.

That little pocket of history was (and is) loved.

Carbs how God intended

Fall breakfast has brought pumpkin spice soaked carbs with it. Well Bean in Penndel is slathering on the autumn comfort.

And, fun fact, they’re doing my second favorite thing ever: pairing it with full fall coffee flights. So yes, you can turn a quick breakfast run into a whole situation. Plan your morning nap accordingly.

Someone read my mind

Apple pie had an identity crisis and emerged as a cake. And frankly, I support this personal growth.

The Lucky Cupcake in Peddler’s Village doesn’t play, so we’re talking cinnamon apple cake with actual apple pie baked directly inside. And then, because they love me, it’s capped off with a buttery crumb topping and a vanilla glaze drizzle.

It’s warm, sweet, and aggressive enough on the fall vibes to make a pumpkin patch blush.

Please know if you get a fall treat, I need to know. I’m on a search for all the fall things through the end of November and I could use your help pointing me in the best direction!

Enjoy your Sunday and I’ll see you Tuesday for “what the heck is Neshaminy Mall going to be next?”

May none of your carbs count,

Cait

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My only goal is helping you find the top options. The really cool, the unique and a nice little mix of something for everyone. It’s tough work, but someone’s gotta do it.

Let’s see what I landed on…

A whole fall party

If you need an event that keeps your entire crew entertained without you having to organize a single thing, Bensalem is doing the heavy lifting.

The Family Fall Festival lands Saturday. Stacked with food trucks, activities, live music and a beer garden.

Then at 6:30, things turn nostalgic with an ’80s vs. ’90s music battle. Capped off with fireworks at 8:15? Wow.

I’ll just show up, grab a drink and let them host my Saturday.

Just a little spooky

The Lantern Tours return, offering a nighttime trek through historic Washington Crossing strictly by lantern light. It’s local history, but with 100% more atmosphere.

And frankly, October is the one month where roaming historic grounds after dark sounds like a brilliant weekend plan instead of the opening scene of a horror movie.

When everything goes very, very wrong

If pumpkin spiced chaos isn’t your vibe, trade it for pure theatrical catastrophe. The Play That Goes Wrong hits Neshaminy state park all weekend.

It’s a comedy following an amateur theater troupe where every conceivable disaster strikes at once. Depending on how your workweek went, it might feel like a personal documentary.

Wait, the first weekend of October is actually forecasted to be sunny? Someone check mother nature, she might be broken.

Whatever you end up doing, enjoy it. Fall is arguably Bucks’ biggest flex season.

May you see a ghost on your lantern tour (or not),

Cait

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I lost every bit of summer tan over this weekend. Oh well, time to pull out the Halloween decorations.

While I’m doing that, you can catch up on what’s happening.

Taxes doing actual things

Your taxes are turning into stuff you can actually see.

Over 50 county projects just snagged some dough. Converting vacant properties into affordable homes, new ladder trucks for fire departments, Tech School is expanding its welding program and skateparks getting a refresh.

After paying taxes it’s nice to see through my tears what they can do for the community.

New gym, old roots

Fairless Hills has a new spot to throw a punch. And for once, it’s not the Wawa parking lot.

Encoded MMA has arrived, offering jiu-jitsu, boxing, Russian Sambo (ya know, light work) and MMA for kids and adults.

Owner and local legend Erik Purcell (who ran MPR Endurance for nearly 15 years) is behind the new venture.

Now if only I had the energy or flexibility (or athleticism) to execute a flying kick.

Our Michelin moment

Break out the champagne. We officially have a verified getaway.

The Carversville Inn just earned a Michelin key. It’s the first hotel in Bucks to get one.

After a restoration of the six suite historic spot, inspectors swung by to judge the service, vibe and architecture.

Their conclusion? Yep, this place rules. We already knew that. But we’ll gladly still take the fancy key.

I’ll be back Thursday for the weekend lineup. Which will look suspiciously similar to last week because everything was rescheduled and it’s about to rain again 🙃

May rain route around us Fri-Sun,

Cait, From Bucks

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Pancakes, ice cream, drinks. Basically everything that makes my blood sugar screech.

It also felt like a rainy couple days was a great time to catch up on some TV. What are you watching?

Now onto some very serious history…

Perkasie had a legit cigar habit

Before Bucks County became synonymous with breweries, wineries and restaurants where the menu has “locally sourced” written 14 times…Perkasie was a cigar making powerhouse.

Back in 1892, one factory was producing roughly 150,000 cigars a month. And shipping them all the way to Honolulu.

So someone was watching a Maui wave and puffing a Perkasie cigar.

And because we like a good plot twist, Perkasie’s name comes from the Lenape “Poekskos-sing”. Which means “where hickory nuts are cracked”.

So, in summary:

Hickory nuts → 150,000 cigars → Hawaii.

A perfectly normal origin story. History is weird, man.

The pups are doing the hard work

Holiday House Pet Resort held its annual Pup-A-Palooza (this year’s theme was pirates). Naturally, the dogs dressed accordingly because even philanthropy has a dress code.

Between the dog portraits and fun giveaways, the event raised donations for Bucks County Housing Group and collected nearly 70 pounds of food for its pantry. Helping both people and their pets.

Meanwhile, my dog’s biggest accomplishment this week was stealing the cat’s food. We need higher standards around here.

Fall has entered the chat

My dreams are coming true. Wheat & Vine Provisions is fully embracing the season with a pumpkin cold brew, which might sound basic but…

They make it with maple cinnamon sweet cream. So actually, never mind. I will hear nothing further about “basic”.

They also have a cinnamon bun latte, because subtlety is not on the fall lineup.

And yes, I absolutely entertain every single pumpkin flavored beverage. My boundary here stretches far. But it doesn’t stretch all the way to pumpkin spice Spam (gag).

I hope you enjoy a rainy day just relaxing. I know you could use it. Sometimes “not a single place to be” is the best day.

Oh and Go Birds!

May your pumpkin love have its limits,

Cait, From Bucks

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Which feels like information I did not request.

It’s September. The leaves aren’t even getting started. I’m emotionally available for pumpkin anything and peppermint nothing. We do not need to be talking snow.

So I’m firmly living in the present and thankfully, we’ve got another weekend that is delivering.

Arts & crafts galore

Over 160 artists and makers are taking over New Hope this weekend.

There’ll be paintings, jewelry, ceramics and furniture you’ll immediately convince yourself is an “investment piece”. I’m with you on that one.

There’s also a shuttle running between the festival grounds and South Main Street both days. Which makes it dangerously easy to shop, grab lunch and somehow end up on a patio holding a handcrafted ceramic mug you had absolutely no intention of buying 90 minutes earlier.

Just classic New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival behavior.

Porchstock 2026

Hands down, the most delightfully chaotic event of the weekend.

On Saturday, Newtown is skipping the traditional festival setup and handing bands the keys to front porches, driveways and lawns instead.

You just wander around until you hear something good.

It’s a full blown music festival, except the venues have house numbers, garden hoses and at least one person’s dad wondering where everyone is parking.

My plan? Lawn chair, drink and the complete acceptance that my “quick 20-minute pop-in” is about to consume my entire afternoon.

Sunday stroll

If your perfect Sunday involves zero pressure and a high probability of snacks (whose isn’t?), head to Bristol.

The Sunday Stroll takes over Mill Street with local vendors, live entertainment and plenty of opportunities to postpone thinking about Monday.

Take your time. Admire the architecture. Eat something you absolutely did not need.

Then tell everyone you “planned a whole Sunday around it” instead of admitting you woke up late and followed the smell of food.

Personally, I’m picking Porchstock and Sunday Stroll. But you really can’t go wrong with the Arts & Crafts Festival either.

Because apparently the answer to “What should I do this weekend?” in Bucks is still: Yes.

Have fun and I’ll see you Sunday for some weird history!

May you find your new favorite band,

Cait, From Bucks

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Before that though, I promised my pumpkin coffee recipe. Let me know if you like it.

Make your favorite coffee however you’d like (I’m partial to my French press). Set it aside. In your cup mix 1.5 tbsp of real pumpkin (canned), 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp light cream, splash of vanilla extract and 2 dashes of cinnamon. Stir it all up then pour your coffee over it and stir.

If you get addicted, don’t blame me.

Now onto the views…

🍁 New Hope + the Delaware River

Walk the riverfront, cross the bridge, wander the canal and pretend you’re in a Hallmark movie.

🌄 High Rocks (Pipersville)

Dramatic cliffs + Tohickon Creek + fall color. This is the “okay WOW” one.

🏰 Bowman’s Hill Tower (Washington Crossing)

Climb up for a ridiculous panoramic view of the Delaware Valley.

🌉 Tyler State Park (Newtown)

Covered bridges, winding trails, Neshaminy Creek and at least 93 places to stop for a photo.

🍂 Peace Valley Park (Doylestown)

Lake views, reflections and miles of trails surrounded by fall color. Perfect for a slower afternoon.

✨ Bonus: Delaware Canal Towpath

If you want your fall foliage with a side of historic Bucks, take a walk or bike ride along 60 miles of canal. Trees, water, old bridges…basically the whole fall package.

Nature understood the assignment.

Keep this handy for peak foliage season in a few weeks. You now have the answer when someone asks “Where should we go to see the leaves?”

Let me know if you have a favorite fall spot!

And if you happen to be on TikTok, you can find us there too. We’re sharing plenty of Bucks stuff there as well, if you’re into that sorta thing.

Either way, we’ll see you Thursday for the weekend goods.

May your seasonal pics pop,

Cait, From Bucks

I’ll actually share my homemade pumpkin coffee recipe with you Tuesday. It’s a 10/10.

For me, there’s something always a little magical about fall arriving. Maybe it’s the Hocus Pocus kid in me.

Anyway, Sunday is the slow down. Where we take a look at good stories and good food.

A neighbor doing good

Priya Trivedi decided dinner should help feed the community.

At Ardas Social Kitchen in Richboro, Trivedi runs a donation based vegetarian buffet, with proceeds going to nonprofits and charities. She also regularly cooks and delivers free meals to people experiencing food insecurity and homelessness.

Her reason is pretty great, too. After immigrating from India, she says Bucks welcomed her, so she wanted to give something back.

Honestly, this is the kind of local story we’ll always make room for.

“Yum” but in fall

Pumpkin + sausage + gnocchi. That’s basically the entire pitch.

Grey Stone in Newtown is serving it with burnt sage-rosemary butter, Gorgonzola ricotta, red onion agrodolce and spiced pine nuts. I don’t even know what some of those words are, but my mouth’s watering.

It’s the sort of dish that makes you think, “Oh. I guess summer is over”.

And makes you okay with that.

Strange but true(ish)

Before it was galleries, boutiques and people taking 47 photos of the river, New Hope was a pretty important place to cross it.

The settlement grew around Heath’s Mill in the early 1700s and in 1719 John Wells received a license to operate a ferry and a tavern at the river crossing.

That tavern eventually became the Logan Inn. Meaning one of New Hope’s most recognizable spots traces its roots back to a 300 year old ferry stop.

There’s also a long running bit of ghost lore involving Aaron Burr (Thomas Jefferson’s VP). Supposedly, Burr (who had a love interest in the area) has occasionally been spotted around town after his death.

So, you know. Do the ghost tour.

Cider sippin

And Warminster understands, fall drinks count too sooo…

Alto Bakery has my favorite. A caramel apple latte topped with an apple cider donut.

Because apparently someone decided beverages should come with their own pastry.

No complaints here.

Enjoy your Sunday, hope it involves a flavorful latte. I’ll see you Tuesday for a fall foliage special.

May you love fall (because it’s here),

Cait, From Bucks

Then it’s up to you to choose your own adventure.

This week we’ve got “adults day”, classic Bucks and “I didn’t know this was here” options.

Go full fall

If you want the quintessential Bucks County fall weekend, Scarecrow Festival is pretty much it.

More than 150 scarecrows. Pumpkin painting. Scarecrow making. Live entertainment. Kids’ activities.

Basically, every fall cliché you can think of. Except somehow it’s actually charming. So let’s step into a Hallmark movie together.

It’s a solid excuse to wander around Peddler’s Village pretending you’re just looking at all the fall stuff. No one’s judging if you buy a few things. Except maybe your husband. Leave him at home.

Something other than a festival

There’s literally no shortage of fall fests happening this Saturday. Feels like every town and farm in Bucks is having their version.

But this one’s different. This one deserves a little more attention.

Andalusia is a beautiful historic estate sitting along the Delaware. And Family Fun Day brings plenty to do beyond simply walking around admiring the scenery.

Surprise your family or friends with a little history, a little fresh air and a little “wow, why have we never been here before?”

Adults day out

If your ideal Sunday involves wandering around New Hope and calling it a day well spent, this one is worth a look.

The second annual Oktoberfest is taking over the Playhouse courtyard, featuring beer from local breweries.

So grab some friends and probably don’t schedule anything that requires you to be productive afterward. Which is typically my go to Sunday plan in general anyway.

This is the kind of weekend that could be jam packed, if you wanted it to be.

But if you choose to enjoy your couch or backyard quietly…well, I don’t blame you.

I’ll see you Sunday for the slow down!

May you have the immediate answer to “what are we doing this weekend?”

Cait, From Bucks

Though admittedly last night was a beautiful night at the field. And a win is a win. (assuming we did win - my eyes were drooping in the 9th).

Today is a day off from everything, so felt like a good time to get you some good news.

Kids get a space upgrade that isn’t a closet

Bristol’s Neighborhood First officially scored a huge modular expansion. For years, the team has been doing important work (mentoring, skill building and keeping our youth on track) while essentially playing human Tetris in their old facility.

The new space brings actual elbow room to the table. Fresh classrooms, private spaces for coaching, staff offices and an open programming area (plus actual parking and drainage improvements, because adulting matters too).

The best part? It was built using federal relief and recovery grants. More space, zero corporate red tape, maximum local impact.

Licking ice cream for a good cause (yes, really)

When a late season freeze wiped out fruit crops earlier this year, Owowcow Creamery didn’t just offer sympathy, they fired up the churns.

Through the end of September, grabbing any fruit flavor helps support local growers through the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance. All 3 locations (Ottsville, Wrightstown and Chalfont) are part of the fun.

It’s the ultimate local loop: local cows, local fruit, local business and you on the couch with a dish of ice cream supporting the local agricultural ecosystem.

Helping your chill vibes

If your nervous system has been running on three cups of coffee and sheer adrenaline, join the club. But also, take a breath.

Airmid Wellness is expanding its footprint this week to offer even more wellness classes, movement workshops and community mental health resources.

I’m eager for a guided mindfulness session to untangle my brain without a clinical vibe. I think it’s high time we all unclench our jaws.

Well, I’m going to enjoy my day of “not a damn place to run to”. Hope your Tuesday is a chill one too.

See you Thursday for the weekend round up. There’s so much going on!

May your meditation habit stick,

Cait, From Bucks

If you also spent your Saturday navigating lawn chair placement and stressing over schedule overlaps, I stand in solidarity with you. We’ll be running in every direction around the county for the next six weeks. Send coffee.

But enough about my survival strategy. There are new food spots to talk about!

Bristol’s bragging rights

The King George II Inn has been doing the whole welcoming weary travelers and serving food thing since 1681.

Making it America’s oldest continuously operating inn.

It’s survived the Revolutionary War, hosted George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. And even briefly lost the “King George” part of its name during the Revolution. (Apparently, branding was complicated.)

Basically, we get to eat where the history is older than the United States.

Local author transforms grief into healing

Twenty five years after losing her husband on September 11, local author and art therapist Tara Bane released a moving memoir. You can meet her this Thursday at her book signing.

The book chronicles her quarter century journey through loss, highlighting how local support and the creation of the Garden of Reflection helped her heal. Today, Bane uses art therapy to guide other trauma survivors.

One just opened. Two more are on the way.

The Still on State (Doylestown) - Now

Part indoor hangout, part outdoor hangout, all around excuse to order another round. The concept leans into handcrafted cocktails, locally sourced spirits and what they’re calling “flame-kissed flavors”.

So, fire + booze + vibes. We’re listening.

Donatelli’s Italian Steakhouse (Newtown) - Soon

Newtown is getting a little surfacing of the cufflinks energy. Donatelli’s is taking over the space at the historic Brick Hotel, serving up Italian-meets-steakhouse.

So yes, you may have to make the difficult choice between pasta and a giant steak. Or just get both.

Tusk (Doylestown) - Soon

An upscale American restaurant that promises to be polished without making you feel like you need to whisper or know which fork is for what. Expect seasonal American comfort food, vegetarian and gluten-free options, cocktails, small plates and a social hour.

And the dress code? “Doylestown Sophisticated”. Which, feels like a very Doylestown thing to say.

Hope you have a relaxing Sunday, I’ll see you Tuesday for a round of good news.

May your restaurant list get a few new additions,

Cait, From Bucks

It can’t just be me thinking weeks now fly by at the speed of a toddler who just discovered you left the pantry open.

Anyway, this weekend is stacked. And the best part is you can do a lot of it without even opening your wallet.

Art + snacks

Doylestown is throwing a giant block party and calling it an arts festival.

The Doylestown Arts Festival takes over downtown Saturday and Sunday with 160+ artists, live music on five stages, food, demonstrations and approximately 47 things you will suddenly decide would look perfect in your house.

You know. “Just browsing.”

And if you go Sunday, professional cyclists will be flying around a closed course because apparently that’s how we do leisurely Sunday afternoons around here.

My advice: wear comfortable shoes and bring a tote bag.

Not because you’ll buy anything. Obviously.

Your excuse to hang out near a mansion

The Bolton Mansion Fall Festival is back with local eats, local makers, a beer and cocktail garden, a petting zoo, family activities and even a Revolutionary War encampment.

Because apparently the ideal Saturday is eating, drinking and casually stumbling into 1776. We’re here for it.

Bristol goes Italy

If your weekend plans can be improved by the addition of pasta, pizza and gelato (and whose can’t?)…I have some very important news for you.

The Bristol Italian Festival is happening on the waterfront this weekend with Italian food, live music and enough carbs to make your Fitbit freak out.

Friday night is a little more laid back, while Saturday brings the full festival experience.

So maybe don’t make this the weekend you decide you’re “cutting back on carbs”.

There are limits to what we can ask of ourselves.

A reminder that you can start your weekend tomorrow morning at the Garden of Reflection for the 25th memorial of 9/11.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, I hope you get some good time with the people you love.

May you not drip your food on the art,

Cait, From Bucks

When I heard ‘something was happening’ (understatement of the century) I was in my 10th grade computer class at what’s now Pennsbury High School West.

My immediate reaction was to get to a payphone (those were still a thing) and call my parents. When you find out the whole world has just changed, you want to check on the people you love the most.

As I’ve gone from 15 to 40, the parts of the 9/11 story that stayed with me are the ‘best of humanity’ moments.

Strangers helping each other. Firefighters carrying 60lbs of gear up 80 flights of stairs. Final stoic calls made to family members. The fight to retake United 93.

Regular people doing brave, heroic things because they still had a choice. Do nothing or do something. Help yourself or help others. Lead with courage or succumb to fear.

The worst humans can’t ever really win if the best humans keep doing good things right up until the end.

Sadly, Bucks County had the highest death toll of any county in Pennsylvania.

Here are our 18 neighbors who lost their lives that day. We remember.

Flight 93

Louis J. Nacke II, 42 (New Hope)
Kay-Bee Toys | Passenger

Nacke was a director of distribution for Kay-Bee Toys and a father of three. He was among the passengers who learned the plane had been hijacked and decided to fight back. Their actions prevented Flight 93 from reaching its intended target in Washington, D.C. Instead, the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Lorraine G. Bay, 58 (Langhorne)
United Airlines | Flight attendant

Bay had spent 37 years as a United flight attendant and was one of the airline’s most senior crew members. She was known as the “favorite aunt” among colleagues. On the plane that morning, she and the other crew members worked with passengers as they tried to retake the cockpit.

Flight 175

Victor J. Saracini, 51 (Yardley)
United Airlines | Captain

Saracini was the captain of United Flight 175, the second plane to strike the World Trade Center. A Navy veteran and experienced commercial pilot, Saracini and first officer Michael Horrocks attempted to resist the hijackers and transmitted information that helped alert controllers to the hijacking. Flight 175 struck the South Tower at 9:03 a.m.

North Tower

Michael A. Bane, 33 (Yardley)
Marsh & McLennan

Bane was a claims processing executive at Marsh & McLennan. His path to Wall Street wasn’t exactly conventional: he had dropped out of high school, worked as a dishwasher and chef, earned his GED and eventually went to college. He had been promoted to assistant vice president only the year before he died.

Peter A. Chirchirillo, 47 (Langhorne)
Marsh & McLennan

Chirchirillo was a project manager who made the long commute from Langhorne to the World Trade Center. His family remembered him as a “Mr. Fixit,” someone who was always willing to help, but also someone with a mischievous sense of humor. He loved his wife, his two sons and baseball.

Donald W. Jones, 43 (Fairless Hills)
Cantor Fitzgerald

Jones grew up in Levittown and graduated from Pennsbury High School before becoming a bond broker at Cantor Fitzgerald. At home, he was a husband, father of two daughters and a huge sports fan who loved the Dallas Cowboys, NASCAR and softball. He also coached his daughters’ basketball teams and was active at the YMCA.

William H. Kelly Jr., 30 (Lower Makefield)
Bloomberg Tradebook

Kelly was a Bloomberg Tradebook employee working high in the North Tower. At just 30, he was among the younger Bucks County residents lost that morning. His name is memorialized among the nine Lower Makefield residents who died in the attacks.

Joseph Lostrangio, 48 (Langhorne)
Devonshire Group

Lostrangio worked as an attorney for Devonshire Group and was based on the 77th floor of the North Tower, where the company provided services to Marsh & McLennan. He had accepted his position just a couple weeks before the attacks.

Joshua A. Reiss, 23 (Lower Makefield)
Cantor Fitzgerald

Reiss was only 23 and had been recruited by Cantor Fitzgerald just five months before 9/11. He was one of the company’s youngest international bond traders. He lived in New York but regularly came home to his parents’ house in Lower Makefield. On the morning of September 11, he was talking to a friend when he suddenly said that a plane had hit the building. It was the last anyone heard from him.

Larry Senko, 34 (Lower Makefield)
Alliance Consulting

Senko was an area vice president for Alliance Consulting and worked on the 102nd floor. He had grown up in Donora, loved sports and music, played guitar and keyboards, and had moved to Bucks County with his wife, Debbi. Their son Tyler was just 18 months old. After the first plane hit, Senko called his wife from the tower and remained calm, telling her he loved her and would make it home.

William C. Steiner, 56 (Solebury)
Marsh & McLennan

Steiner had spent more than 30 years with Marsh, beginning his career at Guy Carpenter in 1970. By 2001, he was managing director of information technology. His family had moved to Solebury Township in 1987, and he loved working in New York, where his office on the 97th floor gave him a sweeping view of the city. He was at his desk when the first plane struck.

Barbara A. Shaw, 57 (Bensalem)
Compaq

Shaw was a computer executive with Compaq, but at home she was known for two things: being a grandmother and being an incredible cook. Her grandson Ryan was the pride of her life, and she was famous for turning meals into little works of art for him. Friends and colleagues remembered her as warm, funny, generous and a mentor who took time to help younger people in business.

South Tower

James P. Berger, 44 (Lower Makefield)
Aon Corporation

Berger was a senior vice president at Aon and was on the 101st floor when the North Tower was struck. While people in the South Tower were initially being told to remain where they were, Berger immediately began getting his employees out. He helped shepherd 156 employees onto elevators and toward safety. Even after colleagues urged him to leave, he went back upstairs to make sure nobody had been left behind. The last elevator carrying his group reached the ground just 20 seconds before Flight 175 hit the South Tower. Berger was still on the 101st floor.

Jeffrey M. Chairnoff, 35 (Lower Makefield)
Sandler O’Neill & Partners

Chairnoff was a managing director in Sandler O’Neill’s mortgage finance group. A Pennsbury High School graduate, he was remembered as calm, meticulous and deeply devoted to his family. He and his wife, Helaine, had two young children, Sarah, 6, and Benjamin, just 19 months old. At home, he was known as “Mr. Clean” because he kept the kitchen spotless, and he loved making peanut butter pie with his daughter while watching the Food Network.

William R. Godshalk, 35 (Yardley)
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

Godshalk was a vice president at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and worked on the 89th floor. His family remembered him as the adventurous, energetic one. A kid who had always loved sports and carried that wild streak into adulthood. His fiancée, Aleese Hartmann, remembered the enormous red clock visible from their desks and wrote about how much she loved him.

Donald G. Havlish Jr., 53 (Yardley)
Aon Corporation

Havlish was a senior vice president at Aon. He was a husband and father, and his youngest daughter, Michaela, was only 4. September 11 was supposed to be a milestone day for her: her first day of preschool. She was excited to tell her father about it when he came home that night. He never did. His family later told her that her father was “up in heaven, guarding us”.

John Michael Rodak, 39 (Southampton)
Sandler O’Neill & Partners

Rodak drove nearly two hours each way from his home to his job at Sandler O’Neill. But his long commute was worth it to him because once he got home, work stayed behind. He was a husband and father of two daughters, Chelsea and Devon. He practiced karate with Chelsea, went deep-sea fishing with Devon and had spent the weekend before 9/11 making dinner for his family.

Sandra L. Wright, 57 (Langhorne)
Aon Corporation

Wright was a longtime New Yorker at heart, even after moving back to her hometown of Langhorne. She was the oldest girl in a family of nine children and, by her daughter’s description, the adventurous one. She traveled across the country in a camper, went skiing in Europe and visited Paris.

Normally on Tuesdays, I try to recommend a place you should visit in the county.

So, fittingly, my recommendation this week is the Garden of Reflection in Newtown.

If you’ve never been, it’s a beautiful, quiet place to remember those we lost.

I’ll see you again Thursday.

May we never forget,

Cait, From Bucks

I hope your long weekend is treating you well. And I hope this edition treats you even better.

This is the kind of neighboring we like

Sometimes “community” is just saying, “I’ve got you”.

Neighbor In Need is a volunteer run organization serving the 19067 community. It connects residents who need a little short term help with neighbors willing to lend a hand.

Founded by locals Liz Kearney and Wendy Jacobson-Simon, the group helps with practical needs and supports people through difficult stretches.

No big production. No fancy fundraiser. Just neighbors helping neighbors.

So yeah, more of this, please.

Something new to put on the list

The team behind Guru’s Indian Cuisine in Newtown has brought a newer concept to Richboro.

Ardas Social Kitchen combines Indian food with a more contemporary, social atmosphere. The sort of place that works for gathering with friends and trying something new. And their proceeds go to animal rescue!

It’s on my list for our next food adventure.

Dublin has a name with a plot twist

Two taverns. One town. One slightly suspicious origin story.

There’s a long standing local tale that Dublin, PA got its name not from Ireland but from “Double Inn.”

The story goes that two competing log taverns once sat close together along the busy road through what became Dublin. Eventually, one absorbed the other, creating a rather literal double inn.

And somehow, Double Inn supposedly became Dublin. Which feels like a very Philly accent twist.

Your brunch side quest

Sometimes the best brunch move is skipping the obvious spots.

Aurora Bistro is a cozy spot near Peddler’s Village. What I love that I didn’t know I’d love? The French inspired menu featuring croque monsieur, croque madame, quiche, croissant, etc.

Basically, brunch put on a little French accent. In which case, maybe practice saying croque monsieur before you head out.

That’s it for this week. Go find a new brunch spot, learn a weird bit of Bucks history and do something nice for a neighbor.

See you Tuesday for a round of good news!

May your accent catch a little flair,

Cait, From Bucks

Our faithful COO spent Tuesday night sitting through a two hour rain delay, which is a great reminder that Mother Nature doesn’t care about our plans.

Also, whoever decided concerts should go past 11pm clearly hates the 40+ crowd.

Here’s hoping the weather cooperates a little better this holiday weekend.

Doylestown is going medieval

Apparently, Doylestown decided it needed swords, jousting and people in medieval clothing.

The inaugural Bucks County Renaissance Faire takes over the grounds around the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works this weekend. With live performances, armored combat, equestrian shows, artisans, games, food and five stages of entertainment.

Basically, it’s a chance to spend Saturday pretending you’ve wandered into a fantasy novel.

And yes, I fully expect at least one person to take the medieval part way too seriously.

Art, cider & an orchard

Here’s the “wait…how did I not know about this?” event of the weekend.

After a seven year hiatus, Art in the Orchard is back at Manoff Market, bringing 50 local artists together for a weekend of art, music, cider and general orchard wandering.

It’s outdoors and the agenda is essentially: Look at pretty things → drink cider → look at more pretty things.

Frankly, that’s a pretty solid Saturday.

Go earlier in the day if you actually want to browse the artists instead of doing that awkward shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle where you pretend you can see a painting from six feet away.

One last summer hurrah

Summer officially sticks around until September 22. But emotionally? Labor Day weekend is the finale.

Shady Brook Farm is sending it off with the final Summer unWINEd weekend. So, live music, food, drinks and plenty of outdoor hangout time.

Friday gets things rolling, then Saturday brings the full send-off with fireworks and The Loop (band).

Because apparently the appropriate way to process the end of summer is wine + live music + things exploding in the sky. I don’t make the rules.

It’s time to stay out past 9 p.m. one more time. Though your body may disagree.

Carry a sword, look at some art, watch fireworks. What a weekend. I convince myself every single week that this is the best place to live in the world.

Whatever you end up doing, enjoy it! I’ll see you Sunday for the slow down.

May your body forgive you for staying out late,

Cait, From Bucks

Even harder to believe…if that movie was a person it would be graduating college this year.

Anyway, onto news that actually matters.

Bucks is apparently very good at fall

Pack it up, Vermont. Bucks County just landed No. 4 (we’ve been as high as #1!) on a national list of America’s best fall foliage destinations.

Yes, our county. The one where we spend half of October complaining about leaf cleanup.

Apparently, the rest of the country sees things differently. Historic towns, covered bridges, farms, river views, winding roads and enough colorful trees to make your social media pics look filtered.

There’s a dog gym in Bucks County

My dog has officially entered her wellness era.

DogVenture New Britain combines pet retail, grooming, self-wash and (because apparently dogs need to work on their core strength) a dog gym/enrichment space.

Meanwhile, some of us are still struggling to get 6,000 steps a day.

The concept is basically part pet store, part spa, part playground and part “your dog has a better social life than you do”.

Nuuly is bringing jobs (and saying no to data centers)

Falls Township may be getting a very different kind of giant warehouse.

Nuuly (clothing rental company) is moving forward with plans for a huge operations hub expected to bring thousands of jobs to the area.

But the really good part?

The deal includes a permanent prohibition on data centers at the site.

So instead of another building full of computers quietly eating electricity, we could get a giant building full of… pants.

We’re about 6 weeks away from that best in class fall foliage. With all the fall ball games we have upcoming, I’ll have a front row view week over week.

Hope you have a great week, I’ll see you Thursday for the weekend lineup.

May your dog not become a gym bro,

Cait, From Bucks

The Roman Space Telescope is scheduled to launch today and will see 100 times more sky than Hubble in a single snapshot. This will help scientists map billions of cosmic objects and investigate the mysteries of dark matter.

Meanwhile, I remain focused on a deeper mystery: Who designed the intersection by the Oxford Valley Mall?

Anyway, as promised, more fun history!

Our backyard amusement park

Before Chalfont was Chalfont as we know it, it had Forest Park. A full blown amusement park that could pull in 10,000 visitors on a summer weekend.

There were rides, entertainment and a giant swimming pool. Harry Truman even made an unannounced visit in 1948 and Mae West performed there.

So yes, there was a time when “What are we doing this weekend?” in Bucks had a very different answer. I guess Sesame Place will have to do now.

Rallying around a tragedy

When a house fire destroyed the Ferrari family’s Wrightstown home, parents Sharon and Nicholas and their three young children were suddenly facing the daunting task of rebuilding from scratch.

Then the community showed up.

Wycombe Tavern held a Night of Giving, opening its dining room, loft and patio while neighbors organized a meal train and GoFundMe to help the family get back on their feet.

A terrible situation, met with a pretty incredible reminder that “neighbor” is still a verb around here.

Choose your own breakfast adventure

I love to give a good food rec but this week I decided to turn this into a Sunday brunch adventure. I’ll be curious to see which you choose.

Go peachy: Karlton Cafe’s Peach Crumble Pancakes come with roasted peaches, cinnamon streusel and sweet cream. Basically, August decided to become breakfast.

Go berry: Haddie Mae’s Raspberry Stuffed French Toast layers rich cream cheese and raspberry filling into the kind of breakfast that makes a perfectly reasonable case for dessert before noon.

If you’re like my family, you’re spending today prepping for back to school this week. And the chorus of your home sounds something like: Do we have stuff for lunches? Did you do your homework assignments? Yes, you have to turn it in. Where’s your backpack? Omg, where are the lunch snacks?

Yeesh. My thoughts and prayers are with you. See you Tuesday for a dose of good news!

May the homework actually be in the backpack,

Cait, From Bucks

Time for a new doctor? Because she never once suggested quitting my 9 to 5 and moving to an island.

Anyway, the weekend is looking pretty good as we race toward the end of summer. Which ends in August, obviously. The calendar can’t tell me nothing.

Your dog has weekend plans

This Saturday, the Langhorne Rotary Pet Fair is taking over with food, kids’ activities, a petting zoo(!) and an elite guest list of four legged party animals. Starts at 10am at the Mayor’s Playground.

I’ll very likely end up spending three hours here, petting every dog I see. These dogs can’t pet themselves, so someone’s gotta do it.

You get a Friday night market

Holicong Park’s Night Market is happening Friday with farm stands, local makers and family activities. My plan: show up hungry, wander around, find dinner and stay to find my new favorite band.

Basically, a night out without having to panic text six friends about where everyone wants to eat. Then no one makes a decision and we all stay on our couches (can’t just be me). Anyway, this solves that.

Paddle into the weekend

Forget dinner and a movie. How about kayaking under a full moon?

The Full Moon Kayak Tour at Nockamixon State Park is happening Friday night, with a paddle across the lake as the moon comes up. There’ll be some local history, a little nocturnal wildlife and, apparently, snacks. I’m listening.

Oh and no kayaking experience necessary. Which is excellent news for those of us whose outdoor sport résumé begins and ends with “owns a water bottle”.

From kayaking under the stars to saying “can I pet that dog?” 98 times in three hours. What a weekend. We’re so lucky to call this place home.

Enjoy your weekend, and I’ll see you Sunday for some strange history.

May your favorite food truck make an appearance,

Cait, From Bucks

Every single one of them came to say a nice thank you before they left. Sometimes you worry if we’re raising the next gen right…the answer is, we are.

Now if only they had also taken pizza to go instead of leaving us with 6 whole pies 😒

Anyway, here’s some good news around our suburb.

Kids will still argue the call

Youth leagues are spending the fall giving local fields the high-end treatment. Laser-leveled dirt, actual drainage and grass thick enough to survive a stampede of eight year olds.

The fields will look like pro venues, though the players will still use 100% of their energy to debate calls that were five inches off the plate.

Not another townhouse invasion

Pennsylvania dropped some cash to buy the development rights for two farms in Plumstead (20 acres) and Bedminster (18 acres).

That’s 38 acres officially saved from becoming a 400 unit vinyl siding jungle. Oh and the farmland stays land forever, no matter who owns the deed.

Playground for sore muscles

This fall Petroski Physio is moving into a massive 13,000 square foot recovery joint in Bensalem.

It’s packed with physical therapy setups, force-plate tech (whatever that is), cold plunges and saunas. Basically, a shiny new temple dedicated entirely to making your rec-league injuries hurt slightly less.

Enjoy the 70 something weather in August. I’ll be back Thursday with the weekend goods.

And let me know your end of summer traditions (our is Hersheypark, where we’re at today!).

May you remember you’re doing (or did) a good job parenting,

Cait, From Bucks