I’m cheating in so many ways today for 365 Things to Do in Chester County…

First, we are venturing over the border of the county into Lancaster County for this feature today to the Long’s Park Art & Craft Show, which happens on Labor Day weekend and features award winning artists from around the world. The show is held at a nice park close to the Park City Mall – so you can do all kinds of shopping this weekend.

Second, the reason I venture there is to brag on my stepmother, Jennifer McCurdy, ceramic award-winning artist of wheel thrown porcelain. Jennifer travels around the country to many art shows and also has work featured in galleries. A side note of local interest…  Jennifer used to throw pots at Vicker’s Tavern in Lionville back in the 70′s at times.

Be sure and say hi for me if you stop by !

(I didn’t cheat on the photo… it’s from the Art Show in 2008)

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Normally I buy local produce at Pearl’s Market, Ludwig’s Corner, but this day I bought produce at Pearl’s Market in Eagle. As I walked back to the cashier, a yarn display caught my eye. It’s been years since I’ve knit but the colors in the yarn captured my attention. I put my produce down and picked up a skein of yarn. It felt incredibly pleasing, I couldn’t believe it! I put it down and had to pick it up again… it felt SO good! I looked at the label to see what kind of yarn it was. Alpaca. I was in a hurry so paid for my produce and was on my way out. I turned around for one last touch. This time, I touched the socks, the yarn, and the stuffed animals made of 100% alpaca. The feel was indescribable! I grabbed a business card and put in my bag.

That afternoon I checked out the website to see where the yarn was from. Grist Mill Farm Alpacas right here in Chester County! I learned more about the alpacas and knew I had to meet these animals whose fleece was amazing to touch. The next day I called Terri and Peter Silvester to see if by chance the farm would be opened that day. Terri agreed to meet my ten year old granddaughter and me with only an hour’s notice. Terri taught us about alpacas as she introduced each one by name. We kneeled for CoCo, Apollonia, and her cria, Dewars (born in May) to eat from my granddaughter’s hand. They are quite timid. Dewars was the bravest of the bunch. Intriguing…

Terri then welcomed us into their home they built two years ago using the original stone from the grist mill on their property dating back to the 1800’s. The Farm Store is located there. Terri continued teaching us about shearing, alpaca textiles, yarns, etc. My granddaughter and I were fascinated with the yarn display from the alpacas we met. She chose a skein of farm blend, made from all of their fleeces and I chose Beauregard’s yarn for the deep, dark brown natural color. The Silvesters, along with other International Alpaca Farms, donated fleece to the gulf. The fleece soaks up oil.

Terri and Peter welcome the opportunity to share their alpacas with others and encourage you to call or email for an appointment to visit the alpacas and/or Farm Store. The farm will be opened to the general public on Saturday, Sept 25th and Sunday, Sept 26th from 10-4. Check their website for local events they participate in.

Address: 2230 Creek Rd, Glenmoore, PA   Phone: 610-942-4066  Email: info@gristmillfarmalapacas.com

Enjoy!

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Today’s 365 visits a Paoli restaurant known for it’s burger’s and beer, TJ’s Restaurant and Drinkery. Boasting many local and craft brews, as well as the big names, if you’re a beer drinker, there’s few other places to visit. Don’t worry if you don’t like beer, there are plenty of other options and it’s kid friendly too. They also boast one of the best burger’s in the suburbs, and even won Main Line Today’s “Best Burger” award in 2009. As someone who likes a good burger and a beer now and then, I can agree with that sentiment.

However, that’s not the only item on the menu and I can say I haven’t had a bad meal there. Their chili is good as is some of the other items I’ve sampled.

Don’t take my word for it though, head to Paoli and try out TJ’s Restaurant today.

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For today’s 365 Things to do in Chester County I’m hoping you’ll make a commitment to help an organization that is close to home for you. Whatever that is – do something to help them.

Today, I highlight Rejoicing Spirits, which my Aunt helped to co-found 8 years ago. Rejoicing Spirits is a ministry which reaches out to enrich the spiritual lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, friends and other supportive community members.

On Saturday, September 18th in Chester Springs you can help Rejoicing Spirits in their fundraising efforts by getting moving! You can walk, run, or hobble around this 5K course through Upper Uwchlan Township. They are giving away cash prizes in various age groups too!

Registrations before September 1st get a tshirt – and before September 11th get a discount – so check out the registration form here and get moving !

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Springton Manor Farm is a demonstration farm nestled on 300 acres in beautiful Chester County, PA. The land has been in agricultural use since the early 1700’s when it was a part of a William Penn manor.

The Manor House overlooks the farm and acreage with majestic centuries-old trees. (Photo taken from front of house) “In summertime, the evenings were spent on the front porch, all gathering there. From this porch was a beautiful and extended view, a complete amphitheater. The Welsh Mountains in view nine miles away. Father used to say ‘the air must be pure, for it never touched from the time it left the mountain.’”- Mary McIlvaine, former owner and family member. The Manor House dates back to 1833 and is available to rent for special events, including weddings.

The Butterfly House is open daily from 10a-3p through September 6^th. The goal of the house is to educate the community on the importance of butterflies and how individuals can create their own gardens to help provide habitat for these special creatures.

Family Day will be a fun, fall celebration at Springton Manor Farm so mark your calendar for September 25^th, 11a-3p. Sing, dance, climb, jump and play on the farm. Admission is free. Parking is $5/car.

For more information call: 610-942-2450 x223    Address: 860 Springton Rd, Glenmoore, PA 19343

Enjoy the fresh air!

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There are no shortage of places to shop in Chester County. Strip mall after strip mall have popped up throughout the years, but one place has been in the area over 37 years, the Exton Square Mall. In homage to its area roots, i.e. looking a bit barn like, it’s one of the few enclosed shopping areas in county and there’s no shortage of stores to meet your needs. The food court has a diverse mix of eateries and there are a few others interspersed throughout the mall.

Most of the major brand stores are also there; Sears, Macy’s, JC Penny, as well as Abercrombie & Fitch, and many others.

Of course, you’ll find Santa Clause in winter and the Easter bunny in the Spring to get pictures with the kids.

So, instead of driving from store to store, head to the Exton Mall and walk in one enclosed space.

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Day 72 of 365 takes us to another Chester County Park. One of my personal favorites is Hibernia County Park, snuggled on the outskirts of Coatesville, PA. There are geocaches, picnic pavilions, playground areas, a lake (boating and fishing), camping, trails (horseback riding, walking, cycling, etc)  and open-fresh air !

If you are a have interest in the paranormal field – Hibernia Mansion has a lot of “action”, from what I’ve heard. The park hosts many events at the park and has opened Hibernia Mansion for Chester County Day more than a few times.

It’s hard to pick a favorite place to run – but this would have to be mine. I love the trails – there is a route I begin at the Mansion and takes me through the woods, around the lake, up and down some hills, and alongside the creek. It’s nice to venture off of the beaten paths where I feel like I’m – roughing it.

Take an adventure… visit Hibernia Park, four miles north of Coatesville, PA, off Route 82 and the U.S. Route 30 bypass. For more information, contact Hibernia County Park, Wagontown, at 610-383-3812.

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You can wander all around Chester County to explore Day 71 of 365 Things to Do in Chester County’s feature ! People across the world are having fun finding geocaches located all over the place and there are many treasures right in Chester County to be found including hides in Hibernia Park, on Struble Trail, in the center of Guthresville, Lionville Parks, French Creek, and many, many more.

Explorers find the hidden treasure (commonly referred to as a cache) by searching for the location by coordinates. Usually a GPS is used (I’ve found a few using Google Maps, but it’s tricky) …you still need some good eyes and creativity to unhide the cache. Once you find a cache, you can sign in the log book found in the treasure, and some even have goodies to leave one/take one.

It’s fun for adults and children of all ages… and it’s FREE.

Be sure and visit http://Geocaching.com for more instructions and to find locations near you. There is a free and paid membership option – and get ready for some fun exploring all over Chester County and Beyond.

Thank you, Todd D for use of your Geocaching image!

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Since there are no professional major league teams in Chester County,today we travel a short distance out of the county to visit PPL Park, Home of the Major League Soccer (MLS) team Philadelphia Union. PPL Park is a pleasant surprise amid the city of Chester. Philadelphia was awarded the MLS 16^th team on February 28, 2008. The Union played their first game on March 25, 2010. The name Philadelphia Union signifies the Union of the 13 Colonies of which Philadelphia was the first capital. The team’s primary colors are navy blue and gold representing the Continental Army’s uniform during the Revolutionary War. The light blue in the center of the badge represents the civic flag of Philadelphia. “Sons of Ben” are the team supporters and proudly wear light blue. You can’t miss them. They march in to the beat of bass drums and sit on the River Side cheering the entire game.

Union tickets start at $25, making it an affordable professional sports outing for families. The stadium is approximately 30 minutes from Exton, PA, depending on traffic. It’s fun to get there prior to game time and tailgate in Lot B, close to the stadium.

Check the Union schedule and plan to see a game in the new state of the art stadium along the river.

GO PHILADELPHIA UNION!!!

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Today we get some Italian food as we sit outside along Gay Street in West Chester at the Restaurant Teca. Located in what was once a borough firehouse, Teca serves interesting Italian fare on the lower level, with outside seating. They also have a night club (Teca Mezzanine), with bottle service and dancing on Friday’s and Saturday’s from 9pm – 2pm upstairs. For those of us who aren’t into the night club scene, there’s the food available for lunch or dinner, 7 days a week.

Be sure to check their website for hours and reservations (recommended on weekends). They have great Italian small fare, paninis, as well as great, larger dishes and specials. With an extensive wine list and bar menu, they’re sure to please.

So head to West Chester and checkout Teca in West Chester, PA 19382.

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