Katia McGuirk
by Marilyn Bullock

The "Tile Lady" is how Katia McGuirk describes herself. After talking to her for even a few minutes, one realizes that tiles are not only her work - they are her PASSION!

Katia is the 12th of 15 children. She grew up on a farm in Maryland and remembers her mother as being very artistic. Her mother painted signs and rocks and created extravagant sculptures out of burlap and wire but did not have the time to pursue her creative endeavors more fully. Katia's parents were very supportive of each of their children following their dreams. So, when Katia was in 8th grade and expressed an interest in clay, Katia's mother signed her up for a ceramics class. There Katia learned how to throw pots and, more importantly, an appreciation for the medium.

Katia continued her art training through high school and into college, studying Ceramic Arts at the Rhode Island School of Design. After college, Katia and her friend, Kristyn Woodland, opened their own business called Fountain Street Tile Works. Their first commission was to design, create, and lay the tile for Kristyn's boyfriend's business office foyer. The Fountain Street Tile Works' business grew from referral at that point.

In 1987, needing a geographic change, Katia moved back to the Maryland farm for a short time. During visits to a friend in Doylestown, Katia fell in love with the area and moved here in 1988, buying a house in Doylestown and getting a job at the Moravian Pottery andTile Works as a production ceramist. One year later she was made production manager.

About this same time, Katia got married and within a couple of years had two daughters - Terrence, now 12, and Ellie, now 10. While at home with her children, Katia worked on her own tile designs, looking for a way to make money that would pay for her creative pursuits. The Katia McGuirk Tile Company was soon born and Katia was making and selling decorative tiles through local stores. All of Katia's tiles are custom designs and hand-made. Each tile is touched many times as it goes through the process of coloring or hand painting, glazing, firing, and, finally, packing.

In 1991 The Tile Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving ceramic surfaces and to keeping the craft of tile-making alive, held its first symposium in Doylestown, in honor of Henry Mercer. Katia attended and has been a member and avid supporter of the foundation ever since. Through Tile Heritage Foundation events, Katia has formed several valuable relationships, one of them in 1993 with Waterworks, a prestigious line of bath fixtures and accessories. Waterworks stores throughout the country offer Katia's specialty tiles.

Locally, you can see Katia McGuirk Tiles at the Riverbank Gallery in Stockton, at Niece's Lumber in Lambertville, NJ in their kitchen display area, and at Artisan Tile Works in Penns Park, the largest local display of her work. You can also visit Katia's studio just outside of Doylestown where she employs 8 part-time workers to keep up with her busy production schedule. (Kristy, Lauren, and Jenna were working the day I was there.) Eighty percent of Katia McGuirk Tile Company's business comes through showrooms.

Another of Katia's passions is working with children, primarily through her affiliation with AIR, Artists in Residence, a New Hope-based organization that promotes artist residencies in local schools. Katia participates in about 8 or 9 residencies per year and really enjoys getting the children to "respond to the medium."

Contact Katia at 215-345-1086.

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Meshell Kimbel
by Marilyn Bullock

Once you meet Meshell Kimbel, you are not likely to forget her. First of all, she is one of the few locals I have met who has blue hair. When I asked her why it is blue, she said, "Because I was tired of it being pink!" And there's a lot more to Meshell than her hair color - most importantly, she is a talented glass blower.

Meshell has lived here all her life, graduating from Central Bucks East in 1988 and then majoring in fine arts major at Bucks County Community College where she took photography and glass blowing classes. BCCC is one of the few colleges on the East Coast that even has a glass blowing studio.

One of her glass blowing instructors, Don Gonzalez, still teases Meshell about being so intimidated by the glass. She was afraid of the furnaces and was constantly getting burned. Meshell was the last person Don thought would become a professional glass blower.

Meshell stayed with it and has been blowing glass now for over 10 years. After graduating from BCCC, she stayed on as an assistant and has been there ever since. This allows her the opportunity to use the studio to create her own artwork. "Every part of it [glassblowing] is me," she says. Not a lot of people who blow glass are successful at it. When someone asks her how long it took to make a particular vase, she says "10 years" - all of the skills she has attained over the years goes into each piece she creates.

It takes a lot of time and a lot of failed pieces to create glass that is strong, yet decorative and artistic. Meshell chooses to make glass works that are affordable and durable - pieces that won't necessarily break if they tip over. When I visited the BCCC studio, Meshell showed me how she makes goblets. They have to be made in a 3-step process, tricky when you are trying to attach hot, molten glass to another piece of glass that is starting to cool. Keeping the room and the glass pieces at optimum temperature are real challenges.

The two gas furnaces are set at over 2000 degrees F and are very expensive to run. One furnace keeps the high quality glass in a liquid state, the other furnace is used to reheat partially formed glass pieces so they can be shaped and molded. Decorative colored glass overlays are added after the primary piece has been created. Making two pieces look alike is very tricky when you are working with large bulky tools and material that would burn through your skin if you touched it! Even when the glass is cooled it needs to be kept in a special storage unit - so that the glass does not cool too quickly and break.

Meshell's long term goal is to own and run her own glass blowing studio, where she will instruct and nurture novice glass blowers. To help save for this awesome venture, Meshell will sometimes work as many as five part-time jobs. One of her jobs is assisting her former teacher, Don. She has been helping out at his studio since she graduated from college.

Understandably, Meshell spends little time at home. However, when she IS there, her pet collie, Osiris, keeps her company - he just had his seventh birthday! You can see Meshell's glass at Greene & Greene Gallery in Lambertville or contact her through email at punkrockmeshell@aol.com.

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Bob Krist
by Marilyn Bullock

World famous photographer Bob Krist - residing right here in our own backyard - is a handsome, charming, talented man, in love with his family, his career, and with his surroundings.

Bob moved to New Hope four years ago with his wife of 28 years, Peggy, and their three sons. Before that they lived in the New York area but have since "escaped the madness of the New York Metropolitan area." All Bob really needsnow is access to an international airport and a Fed Ex depot.

Bob met Peggy at the college post office where they both worked. He was an English and Religion major in school but Bob received a grant to tour Europe with a theater group in his junior year. That's when he bought his first "serious" camera.

Shortly after college and working in several regional theater productions, Bob discovered that he was a better photographer than he was actor. Good thing, too. The only two careers he was interested in were acting and photography. It's quite obvious that he selected the right profession.

Bob started out in the mid-seventies working for a small newspaper. After four years, he freelanced, doing magazine and corporate work. Then in 1980 he started working for National Geographic magazine. Today, in addition to occasional freelance work for other magazines, he is a contributing editor/photographer with National Geographic Traveler.

During his extensive travels, Bob has photographed people and environs from Iceland to India. He has also done a lot of work in the Caribbean, which, he claims, is one of the more difficult locales in which to take successful photographs - he is always competing with the natural beauty of his surroundings and, for some reason, many of the locals do not wish to be photographed. Although Bob loves the Tuscany region of Italy; Papua New Guinea; and "anywhere in Asia", his favorite spot is "the next place."

To his family's delight, they often travel with Bob on hs excursions. He tries to take each family member on at least one trip per year. Peggy, the "real gypsy" in the family, organizes and markets the 150,000 plus photographs that Bob has taken over the years. Matt, 19, is a freshman at Kenyon College in Ohio. Brian, 17, and Jon, 15, are students at New Hope Solebury High School. Both Brian and Jon are members of the popular local band, The Urban Funk Monkeys.

Bob has produced two photographic "how to" books and five coffee table books. His most recent book is "Impressions of Bucks County," a beautiful photographic journal of Bucks County's people, landscapes, and historical landmarks. Other recent books include the New York Times best seller, "In Tuscany", and "A Photo Tour of New York", which is the last photo book done of New York before Sept. 11th. A percentage of profits from this book go to the NY Firefighters Widows & Orphans Fund.

On the horizon - a book on the Jersey Shore!

For more information or to order books, visit Bob's website at www.bobkrist.com or email him at bobkrist@aol.com.

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The Culinary Arts
by Robin Larsen

There are a number of ways New Hope, Bucks County is linked to Paris, France - historically both communities were at the heart of their country's battle for independence and culturally it was the painters of Paris that both the New Hope Impressionists and later The Modernists emulated. But there is one other very strong link between these two artists communities oceans apart and that is an appreciation of fine living and fabulous food. When we first conceived of the Bastille Day Celebration we knew food would play a major role in the event.

Whether you're a fan of New Orleans cuisine or someone who grew up listening to Julia Child introducing the American housewife to the joys of French cooking, American cuisine owes much to France. And New Hope with its more than 30 restaurants and sidewalk cafes is alive with the spirit of fine French food.

Central to the Bastille Celebration is the dinner on Saturday night where some of the areas finest chefs will be creating a French Market like those of Paris. You would find flower venders selling their wares next to a buttered radish stand or patisserie and diners will stroll stall to stall sampling steamed mussels, cheeses and great breads, pate, quiches, crepes and fruits hand dipped in chocolate.

Among the chefs preparing the evenings offerings will be Jim Hamilton, owner of Hamilton's Grill Room in Lambertville, Tom Block, owner of Thomas Sweet Ice Cream & Chocolates in Princeton, Bill Gill ("Bill Gill's amazing crepe machine"), Melissa Hamilton, Food Editor of Saveur Magazine, and Joel Vitart, owner of C'est la Vie French Bakery and Café. All experts in the culinary arts, paying homage to our "French Connection" in food.

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Susan Roseman
by Marilyn Bullock

Susan Roseman is one of those people you hear about and say, "There's no way one person can do all of those things!"

Susan is a highly respected and talented artist/printmaker; a teacher (at The Solebury School and at her studio); a business owner (an art gallery and a sign making company); a passionate volunteer (every Tuesday at the Neshaminy Manor Nursing Home); a devoted daughter (cares for her mother and father); and a loving wife (married to James Feehan for 17 years.) In addition, she works part time as a waitress (Rosemont Café) and as a horse braider (manes only!) and she readily volunteers for art related activities around town.

To top it all off, Susan is an energetic devotee of the arts and an absolute joy to talk to!

In the early 50's Susan was born in Mt. Airy, PA of supportive parents who recognized their only child's talents at an early age. After graduating from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1974, Susan moved to Bucks County and took a job on a horse farm. "Shoveling sh… manure!" she says with a laugh.

Throughout the 70's Susan worked in area restaurants and shops to earn her living all the while creating artwork and getting more and more involved in the community. Although she was trained as a painter, Susan moved into printmaking - probably more due to space constrictions than anything else.

In 1981 Susan entered an art exhibit in Monte Carlo - and was accepted. Boldly, she wrote a letter to Princess Grace (who was also from Philadelphia) and asked to exchange artwork for a place to stay. The Princess Grace Foundation not only housed Susan and her friend for 3 days, but also invited them to visit the palace to meet Princess Grace! Later, during that same art exposition, Susan was one of 6 artists selected whose works would move from Monte Carlo on to Japan.

Shortly after returning from Monte Carlo, Susan met James Feehan at Havana's Restaurant where they both worked. Susan and James have been together ever since - having tied the knot in 1985.

The 1990's were very eventful for Susan. She and James opened their studio to students 1-2 days per week and Susan went into business with art aficionado Peter Errico, of the Errico's Market family. Together they created River Bank Arts in Stockton, NJ. This gallery is unique in that it offers artist's works for sale 363 days a year instead of the one time per year that most other galleries offer.

Probably what Susan considers her most important (and certainly most enjoyable) job is her Tuesday volunteer work at Neshaminy Manor. Every Tuesday Susan and 2 of her dogs (Artie and Ginger) set off to visit over 300 seniors at the nursing home. Susan lights up as she tells story after story of residents interacting with dogs and vice versa. Aunt Lottie, one Neshaminy resident, sums up the thoughts of all Neshaminy Manor residents, "You remind me of a Lighthouse, providing safety for the ships on the oceans."

Susan has won numerous awards for her bold, graphic works and has exhibited in over 2 dozen one-woman shows. Many of her subjects are dogs, food, or personal recollections from a happy 50's childhood. Many of her works are quite fun - similar to her personality!

Contact Susan at the Gallery 609-397-9330. She would also like you to contact Marcy Whiteside at the Neshaminy Nursing Home at 215-345-3211 - if you are interested in volunteering!

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Pat Martin
by Marilyn Bullock

Award-winning artist Pat Martin lives in a magical artist's retreat - the former studio of early 20th century artist and "father of the New Hope art community, William Lathrop. Pat's living room is her studio and it works well for her and her non-objective painting style. Pat Martin eats, breathes, and lives painting! You can see it in her personality - you can see it in the quality of her work!

Pat knew at a very young age that she would become an artist. Born and raised in the suburbs of L.A. (before smog), Pat was a very shy child, preferring the "other worldliness" of creating rather than participating in the dissonance of family life.

Throughout her early school years Pat made gifts and cards, wrote poetry and plays, and was always dreaming of new projects to pursue. She won a scholarship to study art and put it to good use, attending Pasadena City College, Otis Art Institute in L.A., UCLA, and California State University where she attained her teaching credentials.

Pat's first marriage produced son, Dylan, who was named after Dylan Thomas. Dylan now lives in Upper Black Eddy and has 2 children. Pat enjoys spending time with her granddaughters whenever she can. Pat's second son, Matthew, was born shortly after her marriage to Jerry Friedman, an established artist/painter. (Matthew is a computer consultant and lives in Lake Forest, Illinois, just outside of Chicago) Both Jerry and Pat had similar painting styles and were very supportive of each other. While one would work at a "normal" job, the other painted. At the end of the day, they would critique each other's work.

In 1969, Pat, Jerry, Dylan, and Matthew all moved to Lambertville at the urging of artist friends who had done the same. They moved into a "fixer upper" and soon found out how supportive the art community is here.

When her second marriage ended, Pat worked at various jobs around town to support her and Dylan and Matthew. She taught art at the Correctional Institution for Women, at Solebury School, at Mercer County Community College, and at Bucks County Community College. Pat has been the curator for several art gallery shows and is currently the on-line curator of the Artists Gallery (www.newhopepa.com).

In 1979, Pat had a run-in with breast cancer. After getting over the "woe is me" stage, Pat renewed her commitment to painting and didn't let much get in the way of her goal. With her two sons on their own, she had the freedom to paint and create. "What I was supposed to be doing was my own work." (Despite two cancer recurrences, Pat continues to beat the odds.)

Pat's early Abstract Expressionist paintings have evolved into her own non-objective style - she creates paintings that are pleasing to the eye from afar yet, upon closer inspection, delightful to the senses. Using aesthetic judgment at every step, Pat explores the use of drawing; collage (adding floor cement, gluing fabric, attaching tapes and plastic lettering, and all sorts of "found" objects); encaustic painting (wax); paint dripping; dry brush; and pouring paint - sometimes all in the same painting. Adding texture via many layers seems to be a requirement in all her paintings. Finding the right "look" is not always successful but Pat is not one to give up. For Pat, "every painting is a microcosm of your life." That is why "you don't give up on something." It is very clear that Pat still enjoys "getting lost" in the process of art!

Pat will be showing her work at Mixed Media Gallery, Doylestown, PA, Sept.19 to Oct. 20; Montgomery Center for the Arts at 1860 House, Skillman, NJ, Sept. 20 to Oct. 20; Newark Art Museum, Newark, NJ Princeton Artist Alliance, July 31 to Oct. 27; Bristol, Myers, Squibb, Lawrenceville, NJ, Sept. 13 to Dec. 21; Ahlum Gallery, Easton, PA, Nov. 1 to Dec. 14.

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Swan Creek Rowing Club
by Marilyn Bullock

The boats always look so peaceful, romantic, and elegant - gently moving up and down the Delaware River. Yes, rowing is a great sport and it CAN be peaceful. It also takes a lot of commitment and skill to do it properly.

The Swan Creek Rowing Club, named for the Swan Creek, a leading tributary flowing through Lambertville, NJ, was formed in 1992 and started as a small informal group. Today the club has over 150 members, about half of which are regular rowers. Although there are a few members who row every day, there are many more who try to get out on the river a couple of times per week - working around jobs, river conditions, and other life activities.

The Swan Creek Rowing Club owns 10 single boats and 6 team boats, although some members use their personally owned boats. The rowing boats, knows as shells, are stored in a former member's warehouse just outside of Rosemont. During the rowing months, mid-April through mid-November, the boats are stored on Lewis Island (see related story.)

New members, whether they have rowed previously or not, must qualify to row in the club by passing a club-sponsored instructional program. However, formal training isn't necessary for fun or even for winning races. In 1999 and 2000, a group of four Swan Creek Rowing Club women won, in their class, "The Head of the Skuylkill" - the largest single day regatta (race) in the U.S.

The club enters about 4-5 regattas per year - most of them "head" races. Head races are long distance races about 2 ½ - 3 miles long. Boats leave the starting point at 10 second intervals and race against the clock. Sprint Races, on the other hand, are 1000 and 2000 meter races in which boats race side by side against each other in buoyed lanes.

There are two types of team rowing. Sweep Rowing, where each person is provided with one oar and can have 2, 4, or 8 people per boat. There is always a "cox" , or coxswain (pronounced "cocksun"), who sits in the stern (back), steers the boat, and gives commands to the rowers. In Sculling, each rower has two oars and the oars are much smaller than in sweep rowing. There is usually no cox - making the boat lighter and faster.

The Swan Creek Rowing Club also sponsors a youth program for ages 13-18. The youth program has as many as 25 students each summer and represents 5 different local school districts.

Most of the Swan Creek Rowing Club members row just because they enjoy the fun and the fitness aspects of rowing. It gives them an opportunity to "connect with the river." Rowers vary widely in age - so don't be intimidated if you want to get into rowing and you think you are too old. Come out and enjoy!
Call the Swan Creek Rowing Club at 609-397-5545 or visit website at www.swancreekrowing.com

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Rotary
by Marilyn Bullock

Rotary is not a mechanical device. It is a world-renowned service club - and this month is a great time for us to educate ourselves about this organization. May 1, 2002 marks the 80th anniversary of the Lambertville, NJ - New Hope, PA Rotary Club!

Founded in 1905, the Rotary is the world's first service club and "is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160 countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs." The Rotary motto is "Service above Self."

The Rotary is unique in that an individual cannot join - he/she must be sponsored into the organization. The reason for this is that each member represents a different vocation - providing the club with a broad cross-section of the community it represents. Once a member drops out of the club or becomes a senior member, his vocation opens up for others to be considered.

The Rotary has four avenues of service - club service, vocational service, international service, and community service. The Rotary has earned world-wide acclaim from its vocational and international service activities. The vocational service group provides over $90 million each year for international scholarships, cultural exchanges, and various humanitarian projects, while the international group is helping underdeveloped countries by building new water wells and by offering free polio vaccines.

The Lambertville, NJ - New Hope, PA Rotary Club has its own unique distinction among all other clubs. It is the ONLY Rotary club that incorporates towns from two different states! It started as a Lambertville organization in 1922 and brought New Hope on board in 1940. The local club meets every Monday evening at the Logan Inn and members are required to attend 60% of all meetings to maintain their membership status.

Locally, the Lambertville, NJ - New Hope, PA Rotary Club helps support the local fire and rescue squads, the Bucks County homeless shelter, the New Hope Library, Fisherman's Mark, New Hope Visitor's Center, and other community organizations. Its major fund raiser is the selling of grapefruit between Thanksgiving and Christmas. (So, next year, BUY UP!) Other fund raisers include a golf outing and parking cars at the Shad Fest. All funds are raised for a purpose.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Lambertville, NJ - New Hope, PA Rotary Club , there will be a special dinner at the Hotel du Village on April 19th. It is open to everyone. Good food, music, dancing, and a silent auction are the highlights planned for the evening. For tickets or for more information on the Rotary, call Rotary president Janis Grover at 609-397-0915.

Special thanks to Tony Neylon, one of the oldest members of the Rotary, for his help in providing information about the local Rotary and for offering to help with future articles in FACES & PLACES.

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Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
by Marilyn Bullock

Close your eyes and picture this - 2 1/2 miles of peaceful meandering pathways that run through 100 acres of wildflower-filled natural woodlands and meadows, a pond, a creek, native birds chirping in the background, and benches available along the paths for you to sit and enjoy the scenery and the serenity of this incredible nature retreat.

Yes, all this and more is available for everyone to enjoy at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, just 2 ½ miles south of "downtown" New Hope on Rt. 32.

Founded in 1934, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve (BHWP) is a non-profit, member-supported organization managed in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The Preserve's mission is "to lead people to a greater appreciation of native plants, to an understanding of their importance to all life, and to a commitment to the preservation of a healthy and diverse natural world."

Pennsylvania has about 2,000 native wildflowers, trees, shrubs and ferns. BHWP has 1,000 of these growing throughout the Preserve! And more than 80 of these 1,000 native plants are considered rare, threatened, or endangered.

BHWP offers educational programs, guided walks, field trips, lectures, school and group tours, hands-on horticulture, bird watching, and a spring and fall native plant sale. The spring sale is coming up, May 11th & 12 and May 18th & 19th from 10 AM - 4 PM each day. Admission is free. Native plants are good for your gardens - planted in the right place, they require less water, less fertilizer, and less maintenance than non-native species. Native plants also help to conserve our natural resources, attract native birds, butterflies, and "good" bugs.

A family membership to BHWP is only $40 per year and has many benefits; one of the best is that members can visit the Preserve free all year. (Individual membership-$25, seniors/students-$15.) Non-members pay a small admission fee: $5-adult, $3-senior, $2- children 4 through 14, free-children under 4. Admission includes a guided wildflower walk, offered daily at 2 p.m., mid-March through October. The grounds are open daily 8:30-sunset and the Visitor Center is open daily from 9-5.

Executive Director, Miles Arnott, is a botanist and has been with the BHWP for two years. Director of Communications, Nancy Beaubaire, a trained horticulturist and former garden magazine editor, is in her second year at BHWP. Both are avid wildflower gurus and offered more information than I could write down the day I toured the facility.

I took a lot more photographs than I could possibly include in this article - I really encourage ALL of you to check it out for yourselves. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to spend a morning or an afternoon - with a friend or by yourself.

By the way, the Twinleaf plant (Jeffersonia diphylla)- the BHWP signature logo - is named after Thomas Jefferson.

For more information, contact Nancy Beaubaire at 215-862-2924 or by email bhwp@bhwp.org.

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New Hope Arts, Inc.
by Marilyn Bullock and Robin Larsen

Last year Faces & Places highlighted Robin Larsen and the great work volunteer and community work she does for the non-profit organizations in the New Hope and Lambertville areas. Recently, Robin formed her own non-profit organization, New Hope Arts, Inc., that will provide her a more formal way in which to do the work she has been doing for so many years. The words below are hers:

I have been involved in the not for profit arts world for almost 30 years as a presenter, producer and director of several arts organizations. Almost 5 years ago I resigned from a position directing a local arts organization and began my own consulting business - Larsen Designs. I work primarily as a planner with not for profit arts organizations in transitional periods and with individual artists - although I have a number of galleries and individuals involved in entertainment as clients as well. I am able to offer these groups and individuals assistance in events planning, fundraising and public relations. I love consulting - I work with very interesting people who share my love for the arts and I enjoy the challenges consulting provides.

So I was a little surprised when I started thinking about reentering the not for profit world with the formation of New Hope Arts, Inc. But if it is true that life is a circle - I think this one is one that was meant to be. When I am consulting I am forever suggesting one client should meet another or speak to someone who could provide a model for what they are trying to do. At a recent state sponsored meeting of arts organization I was very surprised to see how many groups who operate less than 15 minutes away from one another had never met. Thus New Hope Arts, Inc was born.

An organization that I hope will serve as a networking facility linking community to artists and artists to resources within the community. I hope New Hope Arts Inc will increase awareness, participation and support for the arts and culture of our community and enrich the community through education and presentation of events such as Bastille Day.

I love consulting and would never abandon Larsen Designs - I just feel New Hope Arts Inc will allow me to serve the arts community in a different way. I hope it will always reflect my belief in the importance of cooperative efforts and the sense that that what each of us can do individually can be so much greater when we work with others in a collaborative way.

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New Hope Auto Show
by Marilyn Bullock

But for the love and dedication of the New Hope Solebury Community Association and the Livezey family, the New Hope Auto Show would never have BEEN and most likely would not continue to BE.

In 1948, the new Hope Solebury School needed a gymnasium. With New Hope being primarily a rural and agricultural community at that time, there was a serious lack of funds to pay for such an expensive structure.

A small group of concerned citizens came together to start a concentrated fund raising effort with the goal of obtaining enough money to pay for the gymnasium. Many horseshows, bake sales, and fund raiser dances later, the gymnasium was built and the non-profit New Hope Solebury Community Association (NHSCA) was formed.

In 1958, Will Rivinus and Chuck Renfro originated the New Hope Sports Car Show. It was to have three specific goals. "First, it should earn money for the New Hope-Solebury Community Association's many activities. Second, it should be fun for those who organized the show and for those who visited it. Further, it should spread even more widely the good name of the community and the C.A. by tying together in one weekend a show, jazz concert and sports car rally." To date, all these goals have been met each year!

For the last 30 years or so most proceeds from the New Hope Auto Show and other NHSCA fund raising events go to school scholarships. Since the late 1960's, scholarships totaling more than $250,000 have been awarded to graduating seniors.

The New Hope Auto show is held on the second weekend of August and the location is normally the New Hope Solebury High School. The Auto Show offers automobile collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to display and admire over 600 vintage and specialty vehicles from around the world. To round out the event, food, music, and entertainment are always in abundance. Over the years the entertainment has evolved from beauty contest winners to performances by local talent. This year Events in Style will host a fashion show and local artists and craftspeople will be displaying their creations.

Since the very first New Hope Auto Show, the Livezey family has been involved in making it a success. Today, Lisa Livezey runs the show, along with the many volunteers and board members who have helped and supported her since the death of her mother, Pat Livezey 7 years ago (Pat coordinated the event for over 18 years.) "Back then, if you had told me I would still be doing this, I would have said you were crazy, " says Lisa of her work on the Auto Show. However, continue she does - with focus, determination, and skill. And unless motherhood comes sooner than expected (Lisa is due with her second child in January), the Livezey tradition won't soon be broken.

This year's New Hope Auto Show will feature a 1969 Mercedes Benz Limo that was once owned by Elvis Presley. It is one of only seven cars ever registered in Elvis' name - he gave all the rest away! The car is now owned by Gene Epstein.

Regular admission is $5, senior citizens $3, children under 12 free. Parking is $5 - no bicycles or dogs. For more information, go to www.newhopeautoshow.com or call 215-862-5665.

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Celebration of Farming
by Marilyn Bullock

What do a chainsaw, a sculptor, a kissing pig, a carpenter, and a basket weaver all have in common? Don't have a clue? It's the yearly "Celebration of Farming" event scheduled for the weekend of September 14th & 15th, from 10:00 - 5:00, at the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum!

"Celebration of Farming" has been going on for 5 years and takes place the 2nd weekend in September. This is a great event that the entire family will enjoy. Experience day-to-day living the way it was over a hundred years ago.

Highlights this year are:

Lot of other activities are planned, including livestock exhibits - and, of course, food, fun, and music! EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Mark your calendars for the "Celebration of Farming." There is no cover charge - the museum welcomes donations.

The "best kept secret in Lambertville", the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum, is located in Lambertville at the intersection of Rt. 29 and the exit off of Rt. 202. The museum was once part of the John Holcombe "Plantation" as he called it. The original Holcombe house is the oldest recorded house in Lambertville - 1711.

The most recent owners of the property, Milo and Rachel Jimison, donated the land and the buildings to the Hunterdon Historical Society, retaining the right to live on the land for the balance of their lives. Since the death of Milo in 1984, the non-profit corporation, Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead, Inc., had used grants, donations, and monetary gifts to restore the property and to add outbuildings - all for the purpose of creating an agricultural museum.

Generous patrons donated most of the equipment and paraphernalia located in and around the museum. The staff is all volunteer and most of the trustees are over 70. They come in and work tirelessly every Wednesday.

One of the highlights of the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum is the completely equipped doctor/dentist's office of Dr. Morris Leaver who was from Quakertown, NJ and was in business for over 50 years. All of his equipment and office furniture is located at the museum.

Other attractions include a dairy exhibit; a kitchen (complete with one of the first hand-operated vacuum cleaners); a woodworking shop, where you'll meet Harry; and a print shop. Other than the "Celebration of Farming" weekend, the museum is open on Wednesdays from 9:00 - 12:00 and on Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00. Special tours can also be arranged. Call 609-397-2752 for more information.

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Riverside Symphonia
by Marilyn Bullock

For those of you who think a small riverside community like New Hope/Lambertville can't make a big "sound" like New York City, think again. The Riverside Symphonia brings top class music to our community and within a few minutes drive time!

The Riverside Symphonia was started in 1990 by visionary and entrepreneur, John Michael Caprio (now deceased.) Mr. Caprio was the musical director for the Archdiocese of New York and he lived in New Hope on weekends. In the early 90's there were no professional music groups in our area, so, through his many contacts, Mr. Caprio pulled together a talented group of professional musicians, most from the New Jersey corridor, to form the Riverside Symphonia.

There are three major types of performances hosted by the Riverside Symphonia, Orchestral Concerts, full orchestral classical performances; "Pops" Concerts, such as their 4th of July celebration at Tinicum Park; and the Chamber Concerts, chamber music performances, often with special guest artists.

The Riverside Symphonia's regular conductor is Mariusz Smolij, who is also the Resident Conductor for the Houston Symphony, one of the major orchestras in the U.S. During the month of March, maestro Smolij is making his debut in Paris.

The Riverside Symphonia now has a full-time executive director, Benita Ryan, who coordinates everything there is to be done concerning the Symphonia, including rehearsals, fundraising, marketing, and ticket sales. "It is truly a full-time job," says Benita, as the phone rings in the background yet again during our interview. Within the last year, a small group of volunteers, the Riverside Symphonia League, has stepped to the fore to help with the fund raising events that take place around town throughout the year. Including the Riverside Symphonia League and other volunteers, there are over 150 people who donate their time and effort to make the Riverside Symphonia a success for all to enjoy!

The Symphonia sponsors several outreach programs throughout the year. Benita Ryan and Peggy Krist coordinate the "Adopt a Musician" program for budding young musicians. Marne Dietterich is the coordinator of the Sr. Outreach program that benefits seniors by offering concerts at a reduced rate (or free) and, in some cases, bringing music directly to them.

The next featured events are:

March 22-24, The Bucks County Choral Society and The Riverside Symphonia present Mendelsshon's Elijah with Richard Arnold, baritone. Call 215-598-6142 for info.

April 5-6, The Symphonia Goes to the Movies. Features movie themes and scores from Star Wars, Indians Jones, Gone with the Wind, James Bond, and others.

For information on upcoming events, to order tickets, or to be added to the mailing list, call 609-397-7300 or 215-862-3300. You can also visit the website at www.riversidesymphonia.org.

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Wayne Miller
by Marilyn Bullock

An award winning production company in New Hope? Award winning - absolutely! New Hope - well, almost. Sugar Moon productions is located at the home of Wayne and Ellen Miller, just a short ride north of New Hope.

Wayne was born in Norristown, PA, played in a band and put on shows as a kid - has always loved the drama of film. Wayne was a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam, part of the 17th Air Cavalry. Nowadays, he is an EMS helicopter pilot with PENNSTAR, the medical evacuation helicopter service for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He and Ellen have lived in this area since 1978.

When Wayne isn't flying for PENNSTAR, he devotes the balance of his time to Sugar Moon Productions. Writing film scripts now for over 10 years, Wayne writes about what he knows best; many of his scripts have a story line relating to flying and/or war themes. He thoroughly researches his topics and it was while researching for the "Flower of Louvain" that he came across the unknown story of the "Hello Girls."

"A Shade of Gray" is movie short (less than 60 minutes) - a fictional story of a "Hello Girl" named Candy and played by Hayley DuMond, who had had the lead role in Operation Delta Force IV, US Seals, and The Hunter's Moon. The "Hello Girls" were French speaking telephone operators recruited and trained in the U.S. by AT&T during WWI. They were then sent to France as part of the Army Signal Corps to operate the telephone switchboards, facilitate communications between the soldiers in the field and the support personnel in the rear, and to act as interpreters, especially concerning vital military matters.

The film was produced entirely in Bucks County and all but one of the actors is from Bucks County or the Philadelphia area. One of the actors, Julia Yorks, is from New Hope. Out of necessity, the film was shot with a very small budget and with the help of many friends and family. Wayne showed me the film and I cried. In just 18 minutes, "A Shade of Gray" offers us a glimpse into the lives of the Hello Girls during their tour of duty. More importantly, it honors these brave women for their patriotism and loyalty in WWI.

The best news of all, though, is that just an hour before I arrived to interview Wayne, he had received a phone call letting him know that "A Shade of Gray" had won the award in the historical short category at the World-Fest Houston 2002 Film Festival! What a wonderful tribute to the Hello Girls and to Wayne, for his unrelenting pursuit to tell the story! Wayne and Ellen are going to the awards ceremony in Houston on April 13th.

Wayne has other projects in process. The "Flower of Louvain" is a "love story of epic proportions set against the dramatic background of the Great War, 1914-1918." "LZ Shirley" is about an aging Vietnam helicopter pilot who experiences life-changing bizarre events on Christmas Eve. It is being considered for a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie special.

How did Wayne and Ellen find the name Sugar Moon for their production company? They were looking for an old-fashioned name that evoked early 20th century feeling. Sugar Moon was a prohibition whiskey made in Virginia. Cool!

Wayne and Ellen have two children -daughter AJ, 27, who lives in Dallas, and son, Travis, 25, who lives in Vail. If you would like to contact Wayne, contact him through his website www.sugarmoon.com.

Postscript: " A Shade of Gray" will be shown during the Bastille Day celebration coming in July. Stay tuned to this website for more information.

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Worldwinds Instruments
by Marilyn Bullock

From gongs, drums, string and wind instruments, to hundreds of percussion type instruments - this is the place to find just about any kind of ethnic musical instrument. Worldwinds Instruments carries hundreds of instruments from around the world. Countries represented are: Africa, Viet Nam, Turkey, Egypt, China, Japan, Indonesia, India, Peru, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, Canada, Hungary, Germany, Morocco, and Tibet (made by Tibetans living in India.)

How does an ethnic music store come to be in New Hope? It happened because a young woman flutist named Suzanne Walsh became interested in unique musical instruments a few years ago. Her love of the instruments and the fact that there were no other music stores in the area moved Suzanne to open her own store in New Hope. She opened the doors in February 2000 in Ney Alley. Today, it is located on 18 West Mechanic Street and offers two good-sized showrooms filled with beautiful and unique instruments.

Suzanne and her mother, Sue, operate the store and enjoy their work most when musicians come in to find new avenues of expression within their music and when percussionists come in looking for authentic handmade rhythm instruments. They also enjoy talking to people who are simply interested in the instruments for their innate beauty and workmanship. Either way, they will make you feel welcome in their store and won't discourage occasional testing of the instruments.

Below is a small sampling of the many instruments Worldwinds offers:

The windwand, an "outer-air instrument" based on the aboriginal bullroarer, which was originally used by the Aborigines to lure game out of the woods.

The African slit drum or "tongue drum" is made out of padauk wood, which has incredible resonance.

The Chinese Zheng (pronounced jeng, with a soft "j") is an elegantstring instrument that is the antecedent of the Japanese koto.

The Vietnamese Dan Mo (means "little thing) is an incredible sound sculpture carved from the wood of the jackfruit tree.

The kalimba is a South African instrument made of a gourd and wood and is also called a thumb piano (because it is played with the thumbs.)

My favorite instruments were the gongs, of which there are many to choose from. This store must be visited to be appreciated. Stop by next time you are in New Hope.

Worldwinds Instruments' summer hours are Mon - Sat 11-7:00 and Sunday 12 - 6:00. For more information, call 215-862-5766 or visit their website at www.worldwindsinstruments.com.

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Ted Otten and Michael Kownacky
by Marily Bullock

As you walk around town on Bastille Day (July 14th ) this year, you will be pleasantly greeted with the "sounds of France." Bastille Day volunteers Ted Otten and Michael Kownacky have compiled 3 CDs worth of French popular and classical tunes. These CDs will be offered to the New Hope business owners so that they can play French music on Bastille Day weekend. The CDs were created to represent the music of old French cabarets, cafés, and films.

Ted and Michael are not new to musically oriented projects. They co-host two radio shows on WWFM (89.1FM). SRO (T & TH 5:45 - 6:00) is a theatrical bulletin board/CD review/interview show and The Dress Circle (Sunday 7:00 - 8:00) is a one-hour theme show featuring the music of Broadway and Hollywood. In 1998, the NFCB (National Federation of Community Broadcasters) awarded Ted and Michael a "Silver Reel" award for The Dress Circle.

Ted and Michael's "real" jobs are at Mercer County Community College. Ted is a Professor of English (34 years) and Michael is an adjunct English Faculty member. Michael is also an Equity actor/stage manager.

Ted Otten grew up on Long Island in the mid 40's. At the age of 12, he attended his first opera at the Old Met and was "hooked" from that moment on. Ted's interest in music and theater served him well in school. He started doing theater reviews for his high school newspaper and then continued writing reviews for his college at St. John's University. After receiving his M.A. in American Literature from New York University, Ted taught high school and junior high English classes in the New York City public schools for 2 years.

In 1968 Ted joined the faculty of Mercer County Community College and has been there ever since. For the last 15 years Ted has also been writing reviews and a weekly theater column for The Trenton Times newspaper. He is in his 19th year working at WWFM.

Michael Kownacky was born and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 1981 with a B.F.A. in advertising design, speech/theatre, and literature. Michael has performed in over one hundred productions in both professional and non-professional theatres, toured in stock, and directed numerous. He has also appeared in a few films. Michael is a proud member of Actors' Equity, the union of theatre professionals.

Michael is a juried member of the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen - he freelances and shows calligraphy and quilling as well as creating illustrations and graphic designs. Michael is in his 16th year working at WWFM with Ted.

Ted and Michael love to travel. Well, more aptly stated, they love to travel to London! They go to London several times a year and spend much of it attending theater performances - up to 72 in one 6-week visit! Combined they have been to London over 75 times!

So, why Bastille Day? Ted and Michael, Yardley, PA residents, love New Hope and feel that Bastille Day is a great way for the community to pull together and work as "one." They volunteered to help Robin Larsen (Bastille Day organizer) this year and came up with the CD idea. Ted and Michael have an extensive personal music collection. Many of their CDs and LPs have come from street markets in Europe where the music was never made available in our country.

You can reach Ted and Michael through the radio station - 609-587-8989. Listen in on one of their radio shows!

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Fred Miller
by Marilyn Bullock

When you walk into Fred Miller's rustic home and studio in rural Sergeantsville, NJ, little do you suspect that here resides one of our area's most versatile musical talents who just also happens to be a very eligible bachelor!

Fred Miller grew up in Albuquerque, NM, where his father was a neurosurgeon (the first in NM) and formerly a professional violinist. His mother was also musical and encouraged Fred to start classical piano lessons at age 7. Fred's piano teacher was Ralph Berkowitz, former piano accompanist to one of the world's greatest cellists, Gregor Piatagorsky.

During the time that he was teaching Fred, Berkowitz managed the Symphony Orchestra in Albuquerque, and Fred's own father was the Symphony board president. Through Berkowitz and his father, Fred met Isaac Stern, Piatagorsky, and Eugene Ormandy. He also remembers going to hear Leontyne Price, Jack Benny, and Victor Borge when they came to town!

Fred discovered early on that he loved history and avidly researched the lives of the composers whose music he studied. Fred hated to practice, preferring to play by ear, a gift he has had as long as he can remember. Fred could come home from seeing a movie or musical performance and play by ear the theme music - melody AND harmony!

Fred went to college in California, but by the age of 19 he was in NYC. He took odd jobs for a couple of years until falling into a teaching position (it started as a physical education teaching job) at The 15th Street School in the Village. He became a floating "all purpose" teacher at this small 100 student private school and soon after started a music and theatre program for the children.

While visiting Bucks County, Fred fell in love with the area. In 1975 he got a place for the summer and worked at the Plumsteadville Inn as a piano player and at Delaware Quarries breaking rocks and delivering stone. Throughout the late 70's Fred spent summers in Bucks County and in early 1980, he moved here and commuted to NYC seven days a week, playing at piano bars (The Russell on 37th and Park Ave.), doing some commercial acting (a series of Lawn Doctor commercials is his big claim to fame), and producing Victorian Mellerdrammers in cabaret.

In 1981, John Strasberg, son of celebrated acting coach Lee Strasberg, asked Fred to put together a singing class for the professional stage actors of the younger Strasberg's Manhattan acting school The Real Stage.

Out of the Real Stage singing class for professionals came Fred's own Copper Penny Players which is, to this day, a 10 week singing class for amateur singer/performers who meet with Fred (and his 3 dogs and four cats) at his studio once a week, then perform at the Philips Mill Playhouse for a Revue. The Copper Penny Players has been a musical mainstay of the amateur singing community for over 20 years. And it's lots of fun!

In 1983, Fred purchased a home in Sergeantsville, NJ and after commuting for years, he gave up New York and created Silver Dollar Productions in 1987 to produce operettas, drama, cabaret revues devoted to Broadway & Hollywood composers, chamber music and operatic concerts.

Nowadays, most of Fred's jobs are a "one man band" operation, primarily his Lectures-in-Song at retirement villages, arts organizations and libraries. Fred provides the biographical background and music (vocals and piano) of featured songwriters such as Rodgers and Hart, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter.

Fred's future? Fred is making a new "hit" with original singing telegrams, writing and performing original lyrics and satirical roast material. His dream is to adapt classical short stories into radio plays with musical underscoring and sell them as CDs or tapes.

If you are interested in any of Fred's many projects, call him at 609-397-8700.

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Julia Yorks
by Marilyn Bullock

New Hope resident, Julia Yorks is a beautiful teenager both inside and outside. She is community minded, creative, playful, intelligent (A+ student), and athletic (basketball, track, snorkeling), and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Oh, by the way, did I forget to mention that Julia is also an accomplished actress and singer?!

Julia started modeling at age six. "I remember wearing all the beautiful clothes," she says, recalling the catalogue ads for the Strawbridge & Clothier and Clover stores. Julia's first break came when she was cast as Myrtle the Turtle with the Make Believe Players, Marilyn Gerold's children's theater ensemble that performs at Phillips Mill. From age six to twelve, Julia was a star performer with the Make Believe Players.

Over the years, Julia has performed in quite a few political commercials, industrial films, and infomercials - almost always as part of a family or a group of kids. When she was 9, Julia starred in a children's musical video called Trains, Lots of Trains. This video won the Film and Advisory Award of Excellence.

No one would ever call Julia "shy." At age nine, Julia had an idea to create a book for children coming to New Hope. She researched the history of New Hope, interviewed local business owners, wrote the copy, took pictures, and DREW pictures for the book, The Kid's Guide to New Hope. Julia is quick to give thanks to all the wonderful people she met in town while working on her book project. She loves how supportive they all were of her and her project.

Julia has not one but two agents - one in NYC and one in Philadelphia. She is a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Film, TV, and Radio Association.) Movie and theater credits include:

• a small role on TV's As the World Turns.
• an extra in the movie You've Got Mail.
• the hostage girl in the movie Unbreakable, starring Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson (she saves Bruce Willis from drowning.)
• the starring role in local filmmaker Wayne Miller's production of A Shade of Grey.
• Queen of Hearts off-Broadway show, where she played young Princess Diana and other parts.

Most recently, Julia will appear in the pilot and first episode of the new TV show Hack, which stars David Morse as a taxi driver who solves crimes and performs good deeds. Julia is one of 4 girls who ride in Morse's taxicab - and Julia sings to him!

So, how does Julia remember all her lines? "Oh, that's the easy part," she says with a smile, "I just read the lines a couple of times and I remember them!" The hard part isn't the acting and singing; it's the auditions - especially for Julia's parents, Pat (who was the youngest delegate to the 1976 Democratic National Convention - so THAT's where Julia gets her chutzpah!) and Bob. A casting call may come less than 24 hours before they have to be in NYC.

It takes flexibility and commitment to be a successful actor!
Most of all, Julia is a healthy, happy (and mature) teenager. At 14, she has dreams of becoming an actor but buffers those thoughts with goals of going to an Ivy League college and studying to be a News Commentator. Julia is grounded and realistic. She doesn't want to be a "starving actor!" She loves that her parents are so supportive of her passions and gives them credit for not spoiling her (she is an only child.)

When you make the big time, don't forget us, Julia! Remember, we knew you when…..

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