The Great Pumpkin Carve

Falling temperatures and leaves can mean only one thing – it’s time to mark your calendars for The Great Pumpkin Carve held on the grounds of the Chadds Ford Historical Society!

At 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 23rd, the artists will begin carving huge pumpkins, which are grown at S.I.W. Vegetables in Chadds Ford by H. G. Haskell and friends. At nightfall the pumpkins are lit and a team of three judges are ready to tackle the difficult job of choosing winners among 70 hauntingly carved masterpieces. Thursday, October 23rd, 5 to 9 p.m. - Local artists carve huge pumpkins on the grounds of the Chadds Ford Historical Society. Winners announced sometime after 8:30.

Friday, October 24th 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 25th, 5 to 9 p.m.- Candle-lit carved pumpkins, with winners identified, cover the Historical Society grounds.

All three nights - family fun, good food live music, and hay rides! Admission is $5 per adult 18 and up, children 7 to 17 are $3 each, and those 6 and under are free; CFHS members free with membership card. Hay rides $1. Parking in the meadow beyond the CFHS Barn Visitors Center headquarters building.

Suggestions:
* Please wear sturdy walking shoes and plenty of layers.
* Bring a flashlight.
* Please leave your dogs at home.

Chester County Mid-Summer Restaurant Week

Barnaby's of America - West Chester
Brandywine Prime - Chadds Ford
Farmhouse Restaurant - Avondale
La Locanda Restaurant & Bar - Edgemont
Landmark Americana - West Chester
Molly Maguire's - Phoenixville
Pietro's Prime - West Chester
PJ Ryan's Pub - Phoenixville
Riverstone Cafe - Exton
Ron's Original Bar and Grille - Exton

For more info please visit www.dineinpa.com

Pennsylvania Dutch Folklife & Fun

The 60th Annual Kutztown Festival

June 27 - July 5, 2009

9am - 6pm

Kutztown Fairgrounds, Kutztown, PA
Route 222 between Allentown and Reading, PA

Win A Free Overnight Trip For Your Family To The Kutztown Folk Festival!

Check out the Entertainment Schedule!

Click here for a $2 off admission coupon

Bring your family to enjoy the finest in traditional crafts, food, music and folklife. Fun for all ages! 200 of Americas finest traditional craftsmen. Fascinating demonstrations and treasures you can take home ....

Visit America's largest Quilt Sale. Over 2,500 traditional quilts, handmade by local quilters. Experience the exciting quilt auction of the top 24 prize winners on the second Saturday.

A wonderful experience for children! Delightful baby farm animals, puppets, make-and- take crafts, hay stacks and mazes, story time, singalongs, and hands on fun.

History unfolds before your eyes. Folklife, farming and gardening, churches and weddings, PA-Dutch dialect and folklore, spinning and weaving, country cooks, blacksmiths, furniture, candles, and more...

Mouthwatering PA-Dutch Food! Tantalizing family style feasts, ox roasts, sausage sandwiches, pies, pastries and lots more! Non-stop entertainment. Live music and dancing, comedy, country auctions, parades and bands. Fiddling, storytelling and historical seminars and traditions.Witness a 19th century hanging or take part in an old-fashioned cake walk.

The best examples of Pennsylvania Dutch and early American folk art and crafts are found in the outstanding works of 200 of the nation’s most skilled artisans.

Included in this year's festival will be fine furniture, miniatures, pottery,clothing, musical instruments, hand-painted art, iron ornaments, weavings, brooms, baskets, florals, hex painting, jewelry, leather, cut paper art known as “scherenschnitte,” Pennsylvania German calligraphic writing called "fraktur", beeswax candles and more.


Click here to visit the festival blog.

2009 DARC Discount Ticket Prices

Purchase discount tickets at Downingtown Area Recreation Consortium
114 Bell Tavern Rd. Downingtown, PA 19335
Hours of operation are: M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM

CASH ONLY!
For more information call (610) 269-9260 or visit www.darcinfo.com

Adventure Aquarium
Adult (13 and over) - $15.00 - DARC Savings $ 6.35
Child (2-12) -$11.00 -DARC Savings $ 6.07

Baltimore Aquarium
Adult (12 – 59) -$20.00 DARC Savings $ 4.95
Senior (60 & over) -$19.00 - DARC Savings $ 4.95
Child (3 – 11) -$12.50 -DARC Savings $ 2.45

Dorney Park
Adult (48” or taller) (valid 5/23-9/7) -$31.00 - DARC Savings-$ 8.99
Child (under 48” age 3+), Senior (62+) -$19.00 -DARC Savings -$ .99

Dutch Wonderland
General (3-59) Sr. ticket available at park -$27.00 DARC Savings -$ 3.95

Hershey Park
Adult (9-54) -$41.00 - DARC Savings-$ 10.95
2 & under free
Child (3-8) Senior (55-69) -$29.00 - DARC Savings -$ 1 .95
Early Season: (5/3- 6/30; Sun-Fri) -$31.00 - DARC Savings -$20.95
Groups of 20 or more only (6/30-8/20):$31.00 DARC Savings-$20.95

Knoebels
Weekday, Regular (48” or taller) -$26.00 DARC Savings -$ 3.50
Weekday, Child (under 48”) -$16.00 -DARC Savings -$ 3.50

Philadelphia Zoo
General Admission (2 and over) -$14.00 -DARC Savings $ 4.00

Sesame Place
24 months & over Free upgrade for 2nd day during season -$43.00- DARC Savings $11.72

Six Flags Great Adventure
Regular (3+) (Theme Park and Safari) -$29.00 -DARC Savings $35.19
Hurricane Harbor Water Park -$18.00 - DARC Savings $16.99

Click here to visit the DARC website for additional savings and community day trips.

Day of Fun at Dutch Wonderland

DUKE's (surprise) Birthday Party

Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park
June 24th
1:30pm at Duke's Lagoon

SHHHH! It's a surprise! Everyone's favorite dragon is having a birthday party at Dutch Wonderland, but he doesn't know it! Join the Princess and Knight of Dutch Wonderland and all their friends as they give DUKE a party to remember. Expect treats, games, music and lots of fun, but don't let the secret slip! DUKE will be so surprised to see you!

Click here for more information or call 1-866-FUNatDW for more details.

Chester County Balloon Festival

If floating above the rolling hills of Chester County sounds like your idea of heaven, head to the Embreeville Athletic Complex west of West Chester on Rt 162 to board a hot air balloon---or just to admire the sight of them. On Saturday, June 20th, starting at 3:00pm, there will be craft vendors, food vendors, a Kids Fun Zone and live music from Main Stage. And, of course, Hot Air Balloons of all shapes and sizes arriving and preparing for the 6:15pm ascension. Be sure to hang around for the fireworks at dusk.Come for the weekend and explore Chester County's many attractions. Balloon Festival Admission is Free! Parking Donation $5.00 per car .

Chester County's Classy Mommy's Fave Five?

Still searching for a gift for your Husband or Dad for Father's Day? Well search no further. Our friend Classy Mommy, has compiled a list of sure to please gifts. Click on the links below for information on the goods and special discount offers. There are lots more awesome Father's Day gift ideas listed at Classy Mommy. Click here to visit the webste.

Digital Brag Book

Acer Mini Computer

Charging Valet
Handprint Frame

Diaper Dude Diaper Bag

BBQ Tool Set

GREASE is the word!

Nominated for 2008 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The one that you want is back! GREASE, Time Magazine's 2007 pick for '#1 musical of the year,' is rockin' across the country in this new production direct from Broadway. Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. 'Bad boy' Danny and 'the girl next door' Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: 'Summer Nights,' 'Greased Lightnin'' and 'We Go Together' as well as additional songs from the hit movie: 'Grease,' 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' and 'You're the One That I Want.' So throw your mittens around your kittens and Hand Jive the night away with the show that'll make you want to stand up and shout, 'A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wopbam- boom!' GREASE!

GREASE, starring American Idol, Taylor Hicks and Chester County's own Matthew Schmidt will be at the Academy of Music from July 7th - July 19th. Click here to purchase tickets.

We are giving away 2 tickets to the show on July 7th at 7:30PM. The winner of this contest must be a resident of Chester County. This contest will end on July 1st. The winner will be notified via email and has 24 hours to respond to the "You Won!" email. The winner of this contest will pick up their tickets (with photo ID) at The Academy of Music Box Office on the night of the show, July 7th. The FREE tickets are only good for the opening night show on July 7th. This giveaway does NOT include transportation, parking fees, food or drink. To enter please leave a comment below or email contests@chestercountymoms(dot)com and note GREASE in the subject line.

Want a few more chances to win?

(1) Extra entry - Join the Chester County Moms Group on Facebook (make sure to let us know GREASE is the word!)

(1) Extra Entry - Friend ChescoMoms on FB and update your FB status to...Chesco Moms are giving away a pair of tickets to see Chester County's own Matt Schmidt in GREASE at the Kimmel Center on July 7th". Click on this link and enter to win. http://tinyurl.com/km2ru5

(1) Extra Entry - Follow @ChescoMoms on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway! (DM us and let us know Grease is the word! Just remember to include this is a contest for Chesco Residents in your tweet.)

(1) Extra Entry - Blog about this giveaway! Don't forget to link Chester County Moms in your blog post (email* us so we know about your post don't forget to include your URL.)

1) Extra Entry - Put the Chester County Moms button on your blog (let us know the URL where we can find it...and if you have it already...just let us know via email*...it still counts!)

Benefit for La Mancha Animal Rescue at Iron Hill.

Visit Iron Hill in West Chester on Wednesday, June 17th from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., and 20% of your bill (excluding alcoholic beverages) will be donated to La Mancha Animal Rescue located in Unionville. La Mancha Animal Rescue is saving for a new run-in shed and your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Click Here to print your coupon. Iron Hill is located at 3 West Gay Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380.

Thank you for your generous support!

Chester County Utility & Housing Assistance Program

Help paying your utility bills, rent or mortgage is available.

If you qualify*, one month of your utility bills and rent or mortgage may be paid by the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

Chester County residents who have become unemployed or had their work hours cut since October 2008 are especially encouraged to apply.

To find out if you qualify for assistance, please contact the agency nearest you:

Catholic Social Services: 610-344-7028 (Coatesville/Downingtown area)
Community, Youth and Women’s Alliance: 610-384-9591 (Coatesville area)
Kennett Area Community Service: 610-925-3556 (Kennett Square area)
Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center: 610-932-8557 (Oxford area)
Phoenixville Area Community Services: 610-933-1105 (Phoenixville area)
Open Hearth, Inc.: 610-792-2982 (Spring City/Pottstown area)
Salvation Army: 610-696-8746 (West Chester area)
Salvation Army Service Extension: 610-383-0868 (Other Areas in Chester County)

*Chester County residents only. To qualify, utilities, rent or mortgage payment must be in arrears or due within 5 days;all other resources must be used up; you must live in the residence and be responsible for paying for the utilities, rent or mortgage; assistance must guarantee 30 more days of utility service or continued stay in the residence. Utilities include electricity, oil, gas, coal, firewood, sewer and water. The maximum amount of each assistance payment is one month’s utility usage, one minimum delivery of oil/coal/firewood, one month’s rent or one mortgage payment. Effective until December 31, 2009.


We would like to thank Speaking From The Heart Inc., of Exton for providing us with this valuable information. Speaking From the Heart provides Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapy as well as Special Instruction to several hundred birth to three year olds in the Chester and Delaware Counties of Pennsylvania. Click here for more information.

Low Cost Rabies Vaccine at CCSPCA

The Chester County SPCA is sponsoring a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic on June 17th from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the shelter at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Chester.

The one-year vaccines, which cost $7, will be administered by Dr. Shannon Stanek, DVM. State law requires rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats over three months of age.

All pets brought to the clinic should be on a leash or in a carrier. Appointments are not necessary. For additional information, call 610-692-6113 or visit www.ccspca.org

Photography 101 with Caitlin Domanico

We are so excited to welcome Chester County Moms, newest contributor, Caitlin Domanico. As an on-location natural light photographer. Caitlin, specializes in "capturing the art of daily living". She will be contributing a Photography 101 post weekly. Learn more about Caitlin and view her work at www.caitlindomanico.com.


"OMG I love your pictures, what kind of camera do you use?"
Part One

No matter if you use film or digital, a point & shoot or an SLR, here is an easy tip that will make your photography POP!

Change your angle.

Photograph a pet from floor level.


Photograph babies and children at eye level.


Shoot something from above.


Play, have fun...the possibilities are endless! Check in every Thursday for Photography 101 with Caitlin Domanico!

Until then, happy shooting!

Downingtown Native Tours With Broadway Musical

Downingtown Native Tours With Broadway Musical

Story by Francine Fulton, feature writer for the Community Courier, courtesy of Engle Printing & Publishing Company

Many aspiring actors spend years waiting for that big break, working odd jobs and spending time auditioning for parts of all kinds.

For Matthew Schmidt, a 2003 graduate of Downingtown High School, his big break in show business came early when he was cast to be part of the national tour of the Broadway musical,"Grease." Schmidt, a member of the Actors' Equity Association, performs in the ensemble and is understudy for the characters Doody, Roger and Eugene.

Schmidt earned his bachelor's of fine arts degree in musical theater from the Pennsylvania State University in State College in May 2008. In college he starred as Huck Finn in "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and as Frankie Epps in "Parade"

"I graduated last May and went to New York for the summer," Schmidt said during a phone interview from Seattle, Wash. "I started auditioning around and, after my Penn State showcase, a casting director saw me and I auditioned for her. I had three auditions (before I got the part), which is quick in the Broadway world.

"I found out in mid-July that I got the part," he continued. "The entire show wasn't cast until two weeks before rehearsal and rehearsals started at the end of October."

The play opened in Providence, R.I., and then traveled down the East Coast when Schmidt's family, including his parents, Frieda and Marty Schmidt, got to see him on stage in Baltimore. The traveling theater group then moved to the West Coast, performing in Tucson, San Diego, Los Angeles, Costa Mesa and Portland.

Schmidt said that most of the actors travel together from city to city by bus or airplane and they maintain a hectic schedule of performances.

"Typically, Tuesday through Friday we have evening shows at 7:30 or 8 o'clock. Then on Saturday and Sunday we usually have two shows - a matinee and an evening performance," Schmidt said. "The weekends are the really hard days. It does get to be a grind sometimes doing the same thing every single night, but we have a great cast, which keeps it fun. With 'Grease,' it's all about who is on stage with you."

Incidentally, Schmidt shares the stage with "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, who plays the role of Teen Angel.

Since he was cast in the play, Schmidt was called on to perform as the character Doody on several occasions. "(As an understudy) you have to be prepared (to go on). It's scary and exciting," he said. "The first time I went on (as a main character) I found out one hour before I had to go to the theater."

Schmidt began his acting career with the Troupe of Acts at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Exton. He played leading roles in musicals at the Downingtown High School and Barley Sheaf Players in Lionville, and was a member of the Downingtown High School Chorus. He was also on the high school varsity wresting team and played in the Downingtown High School Marching Band when it traveled to Pasadena, Calif., in 2001 for the Rose Bowl Parade.

"I started singing in the church plays when I was a freshman in high school, but I didn't get serious (about singing) until junior year when I started taking private (voice) lessons," he said. "I always loved performing and enjoyed singing and I was always involved in theater one way or another."

Schmidt said he plans to pursue an acting career when his Broadway run comes to a close.
"I will end up back in New York and audition all over again. I would love to try to break into commercials or TV," he said. "When I was a senior, I wasn't thinking of going into music theater as a profession. It all fell into place for me. I was pretty lucky."

"Grease" will come to the Philadelphia area on Tuesday, July 7, through Sunday, July 12, at the Academy of Music. For more information, interested readers may visit http://www.greaseonbroadway.com/.

Chester County Moms.com would like to thank Francine Fulton, feature writer for the Community Courier, and Engle Printing & Publishing Company for this post.

Sneak Peak of The Closer Season Premier

“Products of Discovery” – Monday, June 8, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – TV-14-LV

The Season Premier of TNT’s THE CLOSER,returns with a high-tension case Monday, June 8th at 9PM. TNT will build up to the premiere of THE CLOSER with a 21-hour marathon of memorable episodes, beginning Sunday, June 7, at midnight (ET/PT)

NBC 10 Show Mom's Morning Out Field Trip..

Hey Mom's.... call the babysitter and get a group of friends together.....Anyone interested in going to see a live taping of the NBC 10! Show on June 3rd or June 4th?

Visiting the 10! Show is a really fun Mom's morning out. If you are interested please email your name, phone # and date (6/3 or 6/4) that you can attend to sarah@chestercountymoms.com. The show tapes in Bala Cynwyd and you have to arrive at the studio between 9am-9:30am. Space is limited so please email your info ASAP.


June 3rd: A performance from Andrew Lipke, Father's Day Fashions, Katie Cavuto will be on (she from Next Food Network Star)- a demo on sunglasses and Lee Daniels and Adam Rothenberg they will be talking about their new movie Tennessee

June 4th: The Anitque Road Show,a chef-author Janice Leiberman (talking about how to shop for a husband) Adventure Aquarium and John Debella with a pet up for adoption

FREE Ice Cream Day at The Parkesburg Walmart Supercenter

Mark your calendars and make plans to visit the Parkesburg Walmart Supercenter

on Saturday, May 30th from 11am to 4pm for FREE Ice Cream!

Available items : 1.57 fl oz. Dibs snack bag, 2.4 fl oz. Blue Bunny Aspen Frozen Yogurt Granola Bar, 4 oz Ben & Jerry's Flipped Out Cup.

1 sample per customer while supplies last

Celebrate the End of School with Goodies for a Graduation Party

Break out the paper and the scissors! It's time to celebrate the end of the school year.

Click here for fun crafts, make it your self gift ideas, recipes, party ideas and more from Family Fun Magazine.

Tasty Tuesday - Class of 2009 Cake

With another school year drawing to a close, you'll want to make sure your young graduate gets his just desserts -- such as a jelly roll diploma wrapped in a fruit leather bow.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

2 eggs plus 1 egg white

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Jelly

4 oz. cream cheese

softened 3 tbsp. butter

softened1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Decorator's gel

Fruit leather

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 15- x 10-inch jelly roll pan with waxed paper and grease the paper well.

2. In a bowl, beat the eggs and egg white with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract, then gradually beat in the sugar at low speed. Stir in the dry ingredients until well mixed.

3. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. Invert the hot cake onto a clean towel sprinkled with confectioners' sugar; remove the waxed paper. Trim the cake edges with a sharp knife (adults only) and roll up the hot cake and towel from a narrow end. Let it cool on a wire rack.

5. Unroll the cooled cake, remove the towel, and spread on jelly, leaving a 2-inch strip at one end plain. Reroll the jelly-covered portion of the cake.

6. In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, and the last 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and use to frost the cake.

7. Use decorator's gel to pipe "roll lines" on the cake ends and the class year or your child's name onto the unrolled portion. Finally, add a fruit leather bow.