High fashion designer debuts in Bucks County

Have you ever pictured that perfect outfit, combed through all of your favorite stores, but somehow your fantasy design does not exist?  Have you ever looked at certain well-dressed people and wonder, “Damn, how do they look so good?” Being a one-of-a-kind fashionista is so much easier than it sounds. With the help of Miss Debbie’s Alterations and Designs, you don’t have to go to New York, Milan or Paris for gorgeous, custom clothing.  Miss Debbie recently relocated to Bucks County, and is offering her services to the local area.

We recently chatted with Miss Debbie.  Check out our interview with her:

Bucks Happening: When and how did you fall in love with fashion?
Miss Debbie: When I was young, I’d sketch garments I’ve seen in old black and white movies. I love the forties and fifties style. The clothes in that era were so feminine and elegant.
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Get connected to social networks: free seminar this Wednesday

The Yardley-Makefield Library will host a free business seminar about social media on Wednesday, November 10 from 6-8pm

Everyone’s talking about it. But who’s doing it and doing it well? Should you be doing it, too, and can it help you make money? We’re talking about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Foursquare – social media platforms that may be able to help you get more customers and improve your business.

If you’re wondering how something like Facebook can work for your business, check out a free program 6-8 pm this Wednesday, November 10, at the Yardley-Makefield Branch of the Bucks County Free Library, 1080 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA 19067. (more…)

Fall back into winter (and get an extra hour of sleep!)

Don't forget to change your clocks!

It’s that time of year again, to “fall back.” Officially you can change your clocks back one hour, this Sunday, November 7th. But what is all the history behind daylight savings time? Most of us (myself included) probably have no clue of its history and fun facts! Well, I decided it was about time to do some investigating.

Daylight savings time was actually not enacted until March 19, 1918 but proved to be “unpopular” due to people waking up earlier and going to bed earlier. For years and years, daylight savings time was very inconsistent and became an option to cities and states. Can you imagine the confusion? Even with the Interstate Commerce Commission getting involved in the early 60′s, because would still not follow the rules. Farmers debated the issues, and state governments could not agree. (more…)

The Final Stories of the Trilogy

So you are probably wondering, “why are they posting haunted stories after Halloween?” Well, for those who believe in the supernatural, ghosts aren’t exclusive to the month of October. If you got the chance to read our story about the Ghost Tours of New Hope, this is a follow up with an exclusive interview with Lynda Elizabeth Jeffrey, the daughter of the late Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey.

Haunted Village and Valley is part three of the collection of ghost stories from the Delaware Valley. This part of the trilogy is particularly important because it is the last of the stories from Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey with an emphasis around New Hope. The book includes 33 stories, some of which are from the own experiences of the author’s.

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What’s Halloween-ing this Week?

Halloween is nearly here! Can you believe it? This is the final weekend to really get in the spirit. Hopefully you have your costume picked out, your pumpkins carved and your party planned! If you are still not in the spirit check out our post on simple and easy ways to celebrate Halloween right.

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Explore the Most Haunted Square Mile

Adele Gamble

I admit, I watch all the scary horror movies and visit haunted houses during Halloween, but in the back of my mind I know nothing is actually real. So when I came across Ghost Tours of New Hope, I figured what’s the big deal? It is all fake right? Wrong! Ghost Tours of New Hope has been around for 29 years and everything remains the same as when it started in 1981. Everything they do is true and documented – no joke

The tours were started by author Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey, who wrote numerous books on the unexplained mysteries of the world. She had a devotion to paranormal activity and investigated all the hauntings in New Hope. Adele Gamble, who now owns Ghost Tours of New Hope came on board roughly one year after it started and has been giving tours ever since. (more…)

Bucks Happening this week?

Though the weather can’t decide if it’s summer or fall, we have gathered a great list of happenings to enjoy in a variety of climates. We picked a few inside and a few outside – who knows what mother nature will call for? In addition to this list, check out our Fall Guide and calendar for all the events happening throughout the season.

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Altomonte’s: The Italian-American Story

Maria Theresa Nappi, Altomonte's Deli

Day 4 of our Italian tour around Bucks County brings us to a local business that many know and love:  Altomonte’s Deli.  With locations in Doylestown and Warminster, Altomonte’s brings you delicious Italian delicacies that you can’t find elsewhere. We recently caught us with Maria Nappi, whose parents opened the store 40 years ago when they came from Southern Italy.

In Maria’s words:

Altomonte’s was started by my parents, Mike & Frances, in the early 70′s in Philadelphia. My parents had recently come to this country, bringing with them their skills. My dad is a butcher by trade, as his dad was before him.  My mom was (and is!) an excellent cook.  My parents named the store Altomonte’s, after the town of Altomonte in Calabria (Province of Cosenza, in Southern Italy), where my grandfather once owned his butcher shop. (more…)

Dip into Bucks County Biscotti

Chocolate dipped and traditional biscotti

While investigating topics for our Columbus Day Italian-themed week on Bucks Happening, we were thrilled to find out about Bucks County Biscotti. It all started out by having a small stand at the Doylestown Farmers Market back in 1990. Now it is a supplier to gourmet establishments in over four different states. Bucks County Biscotti was built from the ground up by husband and wife, Craig Silbert and Karen Riley. After living in multiple states on the east coast, they found themselves most happy when they moved to Doylestown. From there they lived in Pipersville and now in Hilltown.

They can remember back when they used a two rack household oven to bake, now they used a 40 rack industrial size oven. But everything is still old world style, using the finest ingredients and hand cutting the biscotti. They have seven flavors including the traditional anise almond, espresso chocolate chip, ginger cherry and even seasonal flavors such as pumpkin pecan. Luckily for me, I had the chance to not only sit down with Craig and Karen but I also got a tour of the bakery!

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Ajiri Tea – Helping the World, One Tea Cup at a Time

Fall has officially arrived and with it comes a rise in the consumption of hot drinks to warm up in the colder weather.  Therefore, I thought it appropriate to spotlight Bucks County resident, Sara Holby, who has put one of the most popular hot beverages worldwide, to use for the greater good.  I sat down with Sara to find out more about the tea and her non-profit company.

The entire adventure began while studying abroad and working for an NGO in Kenya.  Sara realized that there were still many people struggling to survive, even as we move further and further in to the 21st century.  She saw the organization for which she was working go from supporting a few 100 people (as they had been doing for about 8 years), to not being able to support anyone at all.  Ultimately, they were forced to shut down.   Sara witnessed firsthand how greatly this affected the small community and was determined to do something about it. (more…)