A 7 year old hero, summer slices and our original ghost town
I whiffed on the Solstice walk. Too busy looking at 2025’s calendar instead of 2026 will do that. Can I blame jet lag? 🤦♀️
Peace Valley Nature Center is actually hosting an ice cream social at 1 today. Which is kinda better anyway. I’m no professional, but replacing a woodland walk with ice cream doesn’t feel like a downgrade…
Anyway, enough about my ongoing battle with dates and numbers. Let’s dive in.
The 7 year old making the rest of us look bad
Layla Peck, from Newtown, has a better grasp on being a good person than a lot of adults.
Back in 2024, at 7 years old, she realized World War II vet, Joseph Gagliardi, hadn’t been properly celebrated in years. Layla didn’t just say “aw, sad” and go back to watching Bluey. Instead, she organized a surprise neighborhood rally to give him a hero’s welcome.
The move was so impressive she was honored at the 1st Congressional District’s Hometown Heroes celebration. When asked why she did it, Layla simply said she “wanted him to feel special”.
Meanwhile, I’m treating ‘didn’t hit snooze’ like an accomplishment. So this is a nice reminder that sometimes changing a life isn’t complicated. It just takes the emotional intelligence of a second grader.
By the way, Layla hasn't stopped, either. She's been heavily involved in veteran tributes ever since 😊
Summer slices
If your ideal summer evening involves pizza and pretending you have a sophisticated palate, head to Itri in Bristol. Their wood-fired pies already have a loyal following, but there’s a seasonal star. Specifically, the peaches and hot honey pizza that’s making a case for one of summer’s best options.
It somehow feels both casual and fancy. Kind of like when your mom wears her best track jacket to church.
Bucks County’s original ghost town
Before Doylestown, before Newtown and long before anyone was hollering at traffic on Route 611, there was Crewcorne. Never heard of it? You’re not alone.
Founded around 1679 near what’s now Morrisville, this tiny Quaker village was actually the county’s first official settlement and original county seat.
It had it all. The first courthouse, a bustling tavern and a bright future. And then it pulled a total Houdini.
When the county seat moved, Crewcorne literally vanished. Buildings were dismantled for lumber, roads were plowed into farmland and history hit delete. Today, there isn’t a single brick, foundation or street sign left to prove it existed.
The county’s original capital is a literal ghost town and 99% of locals have no idea they’re driving right through it 👻
Al Capone energy
Craft Tavern’s drinks arrive smoking like a detective in a 1940s noir film. In fact, the whole place feels like a speakeasy where someone definitely knows a guy.
And then there's the double smash burger. Juicy, messy and good enough to make you turn off your fitness tracker for now.
If you've ever wanted dinner in Dublin to feel vaguely like you’re part of a bootlegging ring, this is your spot.
Wonder if Craft Tavern could make me a smoking mocktail? Worth a trip to find out. Definitely has nothing to do with getting my paws on one of my favorite burgers in Bucks.
Enjoy your Sunday, see you Tuesday!
May you pull a Houdini on your responsibilities today,
Cait, From Bucks