Publisher’s Letter

It’s May at County Lines. Flowers are in bloom! Leaves are out! Days are getting longer and warmer. And the horns are calling horses to the gates, ready to jump over bushes, fences and water, and show their stuff at the 129th Devon Horse Show.

Opening the season, Olivia Pagliaro declares that steeplechase season is here. Three weekend events are held at Winterthur, Willowdale and Radnor Hunt. “Jumping into Steeplechase,” she writes, is equal parts tailgate party, fashion show and sporting event. Be sure to check out “Dream Barns.” After the races, the steeds need to rest.

Toward the end of the month. Laurel Anderson takes you from the races to the horse show grounds for the “Devon Horse Show & Country Fair.” See your children — half under 4, half 4 to 6 — step up in “For the Love of Leadline.” And, make sure to stop at Devon Country Fair’s Art Gallery. Shannon Montgomery previews much more artwork around the Brandywine Valley in “Art Gallery Roundup.”

Emily Hart says horses have shared our world of music for centuries. Now, in “Sounds Amazing! Healing with Horses, Sound and Music,” she describes collaborations of equine-assisted and sound therapies.

Between the equestrian events, you should take advantage of your proximity to local history, dating back to William Penn. Some of the evidence of past inhabitants is still standing. Read my article, “The Main Line: More than Mansions.”

Long before Longwood Gardens opened, Chester County already had a reputation in horticultural circles with a thriving business in buying and selling plants and seeds. Jennifer Green, of the Chester County History Center, takes a look back in “Chester County’s Garden Legacy.” Meanwhile, Terry Miller of Herb Society of America, points out that eating flowers is making a comeback. In “Flavorful Flora: Enjoying Edible Flowers,” she says that edible flowers — tulips, nasturtiums and more — make a meal seem special.

Meanwhile, in “Home & Garden,” Marci Tomassone guides you to local tours, plant sales and festivals. In “Landscape & Garden Design,” we encourage you to get your own lawn, garden and backyard spring-ready.

May 11 is Mother’s Day, so Victoria Rose, our new Brandywine Table writer, wants us to “Treat Mom to Breakfast for Mother’s Day.” She’ll offer tasty recipes for pancakes, French toast, granola.

As the sun shines brighter and the days get longer, Shannon Montgomery is thinking about a cold one. No better way to enjoy a polo match, steeplechase or picnic. But this year, she wants a clear head and fewer calories, and says “Cheers to NA Beers” and makes recommendations.

As always, we have the Best Local Events and plenty of Family Fun ideas.

Perhaps you already have County Lines delivered to your mailbox. Save it for future reference. At CountyLinesMagazine.com, you can read the May issue online. At Issuu.com, you can read the digital issue. Or click “Get a Copy” on our website to find locations to pick up your own print copy.

We hope you’d like to subscribe to County Lines. Do it on our website or call 610-918-9300. For single issues, try Wellington Square Bookshop, Main Point Books or Reads & Co. Bookstore. Visiting an advertiser is also a great — and free — way to find copies!

We hope you enjoy this issue. Thank you for reading this month and all year long!

Ed Malet, Publisher

610-918-9300

Devon Horse Show & Country Fair

Enjoy 12 days of fun and excitement at the 129th anniversary of this beloved equestrian event. It’s the oldest and largest outdoor multibreed show in North America with almost $1 million in prize money. The show engages fans ranging from Olympic riders to tiny tots with attractions including the Budweiser Clydesdales, Philly Phanatic and more. The show promises memories inside and outside the rings.

Flavorful Flora: Enjoying Edible Flora

Edible flowers can be a delight to both the yes and the palate. Nasturtiums are probably the first that comes to mind for most people. Other edible flowers include pansies, violets, violas, Johnny jump-ups, tulips, daylilies, lavender and rose, as well as the flowers of all culinary herbs. Edible flowers will excite and delight any dining experience.

The Main Line: More than Mansions

The Main Line has come a long way since the Lenape sold their land to Billy Penn. Farms gave way to meeting houses and churches. Rough paths gave way to turnpikes then railroads and paved streets. Modest cabins became mansions. Schools, recreation, hospitals and retailing became big business. In the 21st century, however, you can still find the roots of the Main Line in 300-plus years of buildings.