The leaves are starting to turn beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow, the air is crisp, the campfires are going, and the pumpkin patches are packed with all kinds of pumpkins and gourds. These days you’ll find giant orange ones, mini white ones, and everything in between. Whether you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin for your garden, or a bunch to let the kids carve or paint, there’s plenty to go around. Read below as Patch takes you to…the patch. Culbertson Elementary School Pumpkin Festival Culbertson will host its annual Pumpkin Festival fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m…

It’s that time of year for all ghouls, ghosts and goblins to creep around corners, and deliver some really frightening scares. Some of the most terrifying and award-winning haunted houses and fright fests are located right here in the Delaware Valley. From harrowing hayrides, cryptic corn mazes and homes filled with haunts, Marple Newtown Patch, armed with a little extra courage, seeks out the best haunted attractions that will make your blood curl. Be sure to check each location’s website for full reviews, pricing, discounted coupons and group rates, plus look for special rates at area …

When the bell rings at the end of the day, school children go this way and that, hitting the football fields, art studios and music rooms. After-school activities are a great way for your kids to make new friends, learn teamwork, and stay mentally and physically active beyond the classroom. The schools of Marple Newtown School District as well as other youth organizations in the area, offer numerous clubs throughout the year to engage students. There’s something for everyone. Patch asked around, and we offer some ideas to suggest to your family. For a full listing of activities, check with …

Backyard barbeques, beach vacations, and fresh summer veggies are now summertime memories. Don’t worry, it’s time for the fall, and some of the best foods nature has to offer. ‘Tis the season for apple and pumpkin-picking on crisp, sunny days. There are many farmers’ markets in the area that offer locally-grown produce, organic meats and cheeses, and homemade breads and baked goods. If you shop around, you’re likely to find some pretty good deals on bulk fruits and veggies. Check with each location for hours, directions, specials and other details. Gentile’s Market–This Newtown Square …

From half-price, happy hour appetizers to all-you-can eat pasta dinners, it’s pretty easy to find a decent special at most restaurants. Whether it’s a full breakfast feast, to a workday lunch, or night out with the family for dinner, there are plenty of great places to get a deep, discounted meal. Note: Check with the merchant for additional conditions that may apply. Newtown Grill It’s billed as a “steakhouse, Italian restaurant and grill all in one,” so the menu options are vast, but the food and ambiance are top notch. You’ll find specials on a daily basis, and even though there is a full-…

Going green has become a part of our daily lives. Conserving energy, recycling and reducing our carbon footprint are top priorities across the board. Cities and towns across America support eco-friendly campaigns and initiatives, including the greater Marple Newtown area. Recycling It’s mandatory. Pennsylvania made recycling the law in July of 1988 with Act 101, the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act. The legislation made the Keystone state the largest state in the nation to require recycling. For more information on recycling in Delaware County, visit the county’s …

Summer has come to an end, much to the chagrin of many of the kids going back to school. For those of us in the workforce, most of our vacation time is all used up, and it’s back to the grind we go. Many of us, though, will enjoy one last blast of the season this Monday, on Labor Day. It’s a day set aside to kick back with family, friends and neighbors, and celebrate our daily achievements at work. Marple Newtown Patch asked around town to hear your ideas on who should be most honored this Labor Day. Union Workers They are, afterall, the reason we began celebrating the national holiday. From …

You’ve had a busy week full of work, appointments, kids’ activities, and chores, and the last thing you feel like doing is cooking. Rather than stop at the fast food drive-thru for another round of burgers and fries, you’re in the mood for something more diverse and, perhaps, healthier options. Maybe Greek grabs your attention, Indian is of interest, or Thai is your thing? Patch serves up some meal ideas with an ethnic flair for you and your family to sample. Check with each restaurant for specific menus, hours and reservations. Armenian Delight A unique spot located on West Chester Pike in …

You just met somebody new, and want to take them out on a special date to impress. You're in a committed relationship, or married, and want to have a fun night out away from the chores and the kids, and maybe rekindle some romance. Taking a date out to a five star restaurant, and dropping some serious cash on clubs and after-dinner cocktails, is not the most practical of choices these days, but there are many ways to spend enjoyable nights out with your main squeeze, without squeezing your budget. Bowling for Two If you’re looking for good, old-fashioned fun, why not go bowling? Throw on a …

Do you want fries with that? How about a thick milkshake? We all have our favorite ways of enjoying a big, juicy burger. Whether we eat it with just a dollop of ketchup, or like it piled high with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup and mustard, the hamburger is no doubt an American favorite. It’s also one of the more versatile foods that both kids and adults love, and it can be prepared in many ways, from plain and simple, to complexly gourmet. No matter what restaurant you visit, you’ll likely find each place puts its own twist on the all-mighty burger, and all that accompanies it. …

As we know, learning is a lifelong process. With each day, we discover new and different things. We are on a constant mission to freshen up our current hobbies and extracurricular activities, and looking for new ones to try. These days, there is no shortage of classes we can take, from fashion to food, websites to workouts. Our local colleges offer courses, and so do the hospitals, fitness facilities and community centers. You’d be amazed what’s out there. Marple Newtown Patch did a bit of research and has a few of the area’s most unique class offerings. Be sure to check out each website for …

A perfect 10 set of nails finishes off a look for a special occasion, work, or just for fun. These days, there's so many different options to choose from.Most salons have any color you can dream up–from funky blue or hot pink, to classic red or a French manicure. For an extra snazzy look, you can get a design, like a summer flower or shamrock for St. Patrick's Day. The newest trend that gets more popular by the day is the gel and shellac polish. It dries by a special ultraviolet lamp and lasts two, even three weeks. It costs a bit more, but it's worth it. If you like, you can get artificial …

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Whether it’s a simple scoop of vanilla on a wafer cone, or a banana split sundae with five scoops of different flavors topped with hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, walnuts, and a cherry on top, we Americans sure do crave our ice cream. Icecream.com shares this food for thought: the U.S. enjoys an average of 48 pints of ice cream per person, per year, more than any other country. So, where are our favorite, go-to parlors to dig into sweet ice cream creations? Marple Newtown Patch has the scoop. Rita's Water Ice They're known for the water …

From the high demands of work, to taking kids to their activities, to grocery shopping, to house cleaning, we all have a seemingly endless list of things to do day in and day out. Hardly do we make time for ourselves. “Me” time, though, is necessary so that we may stay sane and recharged enough to keep up our momentum. We all have our personal ways to blow off steam and clear our minds, like getting lost in a great book, taking a yoga class, or cooking up a new recipe for fun. Massage is another great way to unwind. Though it involves blocking off some time, and saving a few extra dollars in …

It’s summer, it’s sunny, and you want to spend as much time outdoors as you can soaking it all in. A trip to the beach or to a theme park is a great treat, but it’s not great for the wallet. If you’re on a tight budget, heading to a park with your date, your kids, the dog, it’s free, well, except the dog park charges a small fee. Depending on what you’d like to do, from playing a round of softball to snapping some beauty shots, let Marple Newtown Patch take you in the right direction. Kent Park Calling all canines in Delaware County. The Kent Dog Park is definitely a good place to bring your …

The kids are out of school, you’re cashing in your vacation days, and it’s time to kick back and have some real summertime fun. The Fourth of July holiday weekend is here. Whether you’re spending time at the beach, at a park, or in your own backyard, the Independence Day festivities are on. Traditionally, we hang our red, white and blue, invite family and friends over, and have a barbecue or picnic. Patch asked around town, and we dish out some great menu ideas the kids and adults will enjoy. Patriotic Punch The kids will get a kick out of this one. Fill an ice cube tray with blue Gatorade, …

From a casual stroll, to an all-out uphill hike, walking is one of the most recommended and easily accessible exercises for all ages and types of people. Whether you want to get in a challenging workout, a breath of fresh air, some sunshine on your face, or to get the kids out for a bit, why not go for a walk? It’s free, and there are a lot of interesting places to go right out the back door. Kent Park This park runs along Darby Creek under the historic Lindberg Bridge and spans 10 acres. It’s well known for walking, hiking and fishing, and now features a recreational area that includes a …

Patch runs a weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more. You’ll find useful picks to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places and things to do, from Sunday brunch to date night destinations, girls’ nights out, kids’ party places, fundraisers, parks and more.  For those of you looking for ideas to celebrate dad this year, check out these suggestions to make it a memorable Father's Day. Fire Up the BBQ There’s nothing quite like a …

Patch Picks highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more. If you’re strolling or driving around town, or surfing the Internet, you’ll notice business after business after business. We can get our hands on just about anything we’d like or need, from a quick takeout lunch, to a new cell phone, to a gift for someone special.  We can chose from endless stores that offer practical products and services, but there are some businesses out there that are uniquely distinct, and offer us something we might not …

We’ve all been there at one time or another, desperate for a good trim or new color to spruce up our current hairstyle. The only problem is, we’re away from home, having relocated to a different city for a new job, or on an extended vacation. What on earth to do with our ‘do? In some cases, we can seek out referrals from new friends in town, but there are those dreaded times that we pick blindly from the phone book and wind up with serious hair disasters. That’s a one-and-done lesson to learn for sure. The rule of thumb seems to be, that once we find a hair stylist who makes us feel and look …