Publisher’s Letter

October, our favorite month at County Lines. The weather has cooled, the harvest is in and the holidays have begun.

Put the top down (if you have one). Shannon Montgomery thinks it’s a great time to take a tour of County Lines country. In “Across County Lines,” she visits West Chester, Downingtown and Exton, the Main Line, Delaware County, Southern Chester County and Wilmington. But not Phoenixville?

No, we didn’t forget Phoenixville. Emily Hart, in fact, devotes a whole article to the town. Why? Because, she says, it’s “Phenomenally Phun in Phoenixville.”

Vivid foliage, cool air, plus plenty of mums, pumpkins and scarecrows. In “Autumn in America’s Garden Capital,” Marie Ingegneri of Chanticleer helps you choose among 30+ public gardens in Chester County and beyond for your next visit.

Fall may be closing in, but there’s still time to have fun — family fun — in the great outdoors. Gina Mullen recommends several places in “Hayrides and Fall Festivities.”

Halloween is just around the corner and your pumpkin needs a face. In “Gourd-geous Pumpkins,” Elizabeth Hughes tells the history of jack-o-lanterns and how to pick and carve one. For a modern spin on the tradition, she suggests painting your pumpkin this year.

Cara Corridoni wonders what private schools might offer to make that the right fit for a child. She finds that many factors go into the decision, and there are many private schools to choose from. “Independent Minded,” she writes, is about making the right choice. And check out our “Guide to Private, Independent and Cyber Schools,” edited by Marci Tomassone.

The real estate market has changed. Again. Laurel Anderson talks to several local realtors to learn what to do now, whether you’re a buyer or seller, in “Location, Location and the New Normal.”

In “Bootjack Farm,” we tour a farmhouse dating back to the 1730s. It has five bedrooms, five fireplaces, stalls for eight horses, a large pool, 37 acres under a conservation easement, and an outstanding view.

This may be news to many: Beer is ageable! Some beers even improve with age. Mark Safarik of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery offers advice in “Tips & Tricks for Properly Cellaring Beer.”

Alyssa Thayer is going Italian in this month’s “Brandywine Table.” Pasta, meat sauce, chicken marsala. It’s all delicious! “Like Mamie Used to Make.”

If you’re still hungry, visit the Good Food Fest on November 6 at the Kimberton Fair Grounds. You might discover what “good food” really means.

As always, County Lines has the Best Local Events and tons of Family Fun ideas for October.

We hope you’ll subscribe to County Lines. Go online or call 610-918-9300. Or get an electronic copy at Issuu.com. For single print issues, try your local library, specialty food stores, Wellington Square Bookshop, Main Point Books, Reads Bookstore or newsstands. Visiting an advertiser is a great — and free — way to get one: click “Get A Copy” at our website, CountyLinesMagazine.com. And get our free online events newsletters by signing up on our website.

Ed Malet, Publisher

610-918-9300

Autumn in America’s Garden Capital

Autumn colors, composting leaves, crisp air, chrysanthemums and spooky fun. Experience the season at Mt. Cuba, Winterthur, Stoneleigh, Chanticleer, or the Scott, Morris, Tyler and Awbury arboreta. Take a run at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Or simply enjoy the fall at Longwood Gardens.

Like Mamie Used to Make

In Italian families, food is love and love is family. Authentic Italian food is a symphony of fresh ingredients — taste, smells, sight and feel serve as its instruments. Aunt Mamie’s Italian Specialties shares their recipes — Italian meat sauce, pasta alla Norma, chicken marsala, lemon garlic pasta — to bring the taste of Italy to your kitchen.

Gourd-geous Pumpkins

Halloween is just around the corner. Time to pick up candy, assemble a costume and decorate. Specifically, time to decorate your pumpkin. We share the history of jack-o-lanterns and how to pick, carve, paint and preserve your pumpkin. Plus, suggestions for spots where pumpkin carving is elevated to an art.