Publisher’s Letter

This September we highlight homes, horses, history, plus pawpaws, apples and more — part of the bounty of the Brandywine Valley.

“Chester County Day’s 84th Tour of Tours” previews stops on the October 4th annual house tour and hospital fundraiser. The stunning barn on the cover is just a taste. And Laurel Anderson finds another Dream Home at the end of a private drive leading to “12 Parklike Acres in Pocopson Township.” Plus, check out “Home Decor” for inspiration for your home.

Learn a little something about Victorian architecture, as Jane E. Dorchester explains in “What Style Is It?” that there are actually four styles — Italianate, Gothic Revival, Second Empire, Queen Anne — lumped together.

For horses, in “Autumn on Horseback,” Kari Mullan describes a season full of equestrian entertainment — Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show, Devon Fall Classic, Plantation Field International Horse Trials and more — with plenty of family fun. Plus, in “Golden Moments at Dressage at Devon’s 50th,” Sue Weakley writes that the event isn’t just for horse people. It’s for families, foodies, history buffs, fashionistas and many more. In Worth Knowing, we get some expert tips from local attorney Peter Murphy on buying a horse.

When someone is struggling with addiction, it impacts the whole family. Kim Porter, co-founder of Be a Part of the Conversation, discusses peer support options in Being Well.

This month’s Brandywine Stories feature is about “Art as Witness.” Kim Andrews shares artist Adrian Martinez’s retelling of the Battle of Brandywine, one hour at a time. In our quarterly book feature, “Need Some Book Club Books?”, Shelley Laurence of Main Point Books has recommendations. Meanwhile Liz Tarditi shares a few “Spirited Tales” with backstories about wine and spirits.

We promised pawpaws, and Sharon Richardson delivers, telling us about Pennsylvania’s tropical secret and the next superfood in “Way Down Yonder in the Pawpaw Patch.” As for apples, there’s nothing quite like picking apples on an autumn afternoon. In this month’s Brandywine Table, we suggest picking apples for “A Bushel of Fun.”

Finally, check out our Best Local Events section for more to discover in the Brandywine Valley.

Perhaps you already have County Lines delivered to your mailbox. Save it for future reference. At CountyLinesMagazine.com, you can read the September 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, More than Books, Bookish Notions 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.

Ed Malet, Publisher

610-918-9300

Chester County Day’s 84th Tour of Tours

Iconic homes. Historic inns. Massive bank barns. Converted spring houses. Once again, Chester County welcomes visitors at the many stops on this year’s Chester County Day Tour. Mark your calendar for October 4, a day to support Chester County Hospital. Now an 84-year-old tradition, the tour takes guest to the southwest quadrant of our beautiful county.

What Style Is It?

Ever wonder what the Victorian architectural style was? That’s because it’s no single style. Rather, there are four main Victorian styles:  Italianate, Gothic Revival, Second Empire and Queen Anne. Of all the architectural styles found in Chester County, the easiest to identify are those popular during the Victorian and Edwardian Eras. In your travels ’round the county, see if you can spot them.

Way Down Yonder in the Pawpaw Patch

If you’ve never tasted a pawpaw, you should. They’re found in 26 states and are the largest fruit native to North America. Native Americans ate them. Thomas Jefferson planted them at Monticello. Members of the Lewis and Clark expedition subsisted on them. With peak pawpaw season coming this month and National Pawpaw Day celebrated on September 18th this year, it’s the perfect time to learn more about this intriguing fruit.