ELIZABETH

AGE: 22
JOB: Research analyst
Hobbies: Snowboarding, traveling, writing, music

MATT

AGE: 25
JOB: Counselor/teacher and coach
HOBBIES: Going to the gym, reading, traveling and hanging with the guys

THE LOCATION:

Caln Miniature Golf

Route 30, Downingtown

www.calnminigolf.com

610-269-7040

Dog House Burgers
24 E. Lancaster Ave.
Downingtown
610-269-9381

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

ELIZABETH: Of course, I was late because I got lost. However, when I arrived, Matt walked over and introduced himself. I thought to myself, ‘He‘s very outgoing.’ But he was wearing a blue collar shirt, shorts and flip-flops. A good outfit for miniature golfing. I also noticed that he was much taller than me. I was hoping that he was not some secret ax murderer, but turned out he was a secret pro mini-golfer.

MATT: Elizabeth looked really nice. She had on a black top with white shorts and flip-flops, casual yet nice. Totally my style.

THE DATE:

ELIZABETH: The date started with miniature golf, followed by dinner at Doghouse Burgers, and then ended with drinks at Firecreek. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself playing miniature golf with a complete stranger. Going into this experience, I was hoping that this mystery person would be fun, easy to talk to, and a bit of a challenge.

MATT: For the date we had planned mini-golf , then afterwards dinner and drinks. I was really eager to play and get to know Elizabeth better.

THE CONVERSATION:

ELIZABETH: He was pretty easy to talk to and very outgoing. I was interested in his trip to Las Vegas and his passion for traveling. He mentioned that he worked three jobs, which I found pretty impressive. Naturally, I talked a good game of miniature golf and he poked fun at my golfing skills. (My game was a little off that night.) He understood my sense of humor or sarcasm and threw some good jokes in there.

MATT: The conversation flowed really well. From the moment we met, we were both engaging each other and talked about our jobs, days back in school and past relationships.  I got a good sense of the type of person she was.

MINI-GOLF:

ELIZABETH: I felt like we were golfing in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Despite the heat, the course was pretty challenging and fun. We had the place to ourselves and the service was wonderful. Of course, I lost my ball into the raging river. Matt tried to save the golf ball with his club, but that did not work. So I took matter into my own hands and reached into the water to grab my golf ball, almost falling in. Surprisingly, I lost that game of mini-golf. But hey, you can’t win them all.

MATT: The course was small and easy to navigate. We had the course pretty much all to ourselves and the staff was very helpful at getting us started.  This allowed us to take our time and get to know each other better and not rush playing. I was sweating like a mad man because it was so hot, but Elizabeth told me she didn’t mind, which was  definitely points in my book.

THE RESTAURANT:

ELIZABETH: I have never been to Doghouse Burgers or heard of it. However, I definitely recommend it to everyone. It has a wide selection of things to chose from including burgers, obviously, to salads, fries, sandwiches, etc. The atmosphere is very casual and fun.

MATT: I had never heard of Doghouse until that day. It was a small restraint with a few tables inside and outside. There was a great selection of burgers, which made it easy to order.

THE SERVICE:

ELIZABETH: The service was wonderful! Our server was very attentive and made sure that we were OK throughout the night. The rest of the staff was pleasant and very friendly. We didn’t have to wait long for our food, even though the restaurant was pretty busy. So that was a plus in my book!

MATT: The service was great! The staff was very attentive and the food was out to us in no time.

DRINKS:

ELIZABETH: We went over to Firecreek Restaurant to have a drink or two. It was a beautiful place and the service was wonderful as well. Our server or bartender was very outgoing and funny. Matt suggested ordering Justin’s Hard Arnie, which was a mixture of sweet tea and vodka lemonade. I am pretty picky in my drink choices, but this one most definitely surprised me and I would order it again. Then I decided to try my luck with another drink called the flirtini. It was a different kind of drink, but I enjoyed it.

MATT: After dinner Elizabeth and I went to Firecreek, which was right next door, and we had drinks. I had a John Daily and a Golden Monkey. There was a jazz band playing. Too. which gave the place a nice vibe.

THE FOOD:

ELIZABETH: At Doghouse Burgers, I ordered the traditional burger without realizing that it had chipotle sauce. After taking the first bite, my mouth nearly felt like it was on fire and of course I started gasping for air. Matt thought it was funny. I thought I was dying. Despite my near glimpse of death, the food was very good and I had no complaints, whatsoever.

MATT: I had a mastiff burger which unquestionably lived up to its name. It was HUGE. The only way to describe it would be to go and try it for yourself.

WAS THERE CHEMISTRY?

ELIZABETH: Throughout the night, the conversation was pretty good and not awkward. So that was nice. He has a great sense of humor and made me laugh several times, which is very important. Then I learned that he did not like Lady Gaga and things got interesting.

MATT: Hmmm. I think there was potential for something, but I would need another date to be totally sure.

DID YOU EXCHANGE NUMBERS?

ELIZABETH: Yes, after I realized I left my phone in my car.

MATT: Yes

WAS IT A MATCH?

ELIZABETH: We shall see. I guess only the future will tell.

MATT: Perhaps

WAS THERE A KISS?

ELIZABETH: I don’t kiss and tell …Well, if you insist, there was not a kiss, but a hug goodbye.

MATT: A hug.

WILL THERE BE A SECOND DATE?

ELIZABETH: Our schedules are pretty hectic and busy. Again, time will tell.

MATT: The ball is in her court.

HOW DID YOU LEAVE IT?

ELIZABETH: We joked about the night and he said that he would text me soon. Overall, we both agreed that it was fun and great to have met each other.

In addition to the pepper and salsa eating contests, the 15th Annual food festival will also host the Acoustic Road Show with live music provided all day long, on both days.

The Chile Pepper Fest is located at William Delong Park on Bowers Road. Find more information and a photographic recap from last year at www.pepperfestival.com.

Promising to conclude the summer-long free live music with a crowd-pleasing lineup, the next Kerr Park-based outdoor show is slated to include the punk rock band of three brothers, 3 Shades of Blue, and Liverpool Beat, a Beatles tribute band equipped with appropriate shags and suits.

A big “thank you” goes out to all who supported the  summer concert series, but before you applaud the behind-the-scenes organizers and the superstars seen on-stage, be sure you to partake in the season’s last celebration.

Several vendors will be on hand to provide food, drinks and snacks. Be sure to grab your blankets and chairs, and get cozy for two sets from two entertaining musical outputs.

For additional information, visit Downingtown Concerts in the Park online at www.downingtownconcerts.com.

Photo | Lost Forest After Dark

The historic Hopewell Furnace site recently revealed the following information on their apple picking program!

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 4, and continuing into October, the apple orchard at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site will be open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for apple picking.

To pick apples, stop by the park’s visitor center and obtain a list of apple varieties and orchard map.  Picking poles and buckets will be provided.

Apples cost $1 per pound regardless of variety.  The proceeds of apple sales go toward maintaining the orchard.

According to Superintendent Edie Shean-Hammond, this will be the 24th year that the National Park Service has invited the public to harvest apples from the park’s trees and this year’s crop is expected to be one of the best in recent years.

Hopewell’s orchard is nearly as old as the iron furnace itself.   Mentioned in contemporary accounts as early as 1782, apple trees were planted, pruned and harvested yearly.  The orchard was replenished with new trees throughout the 19th Century and provided valuable food for furnace community residents, both man and beast.

The present orchard includes more than 30 varieties of apples, many of which are historic types that may have been found at Hopewell when the furnace was active.  Early varieties such as Gravenstein and Summer Rambo were introduced from Europe by early settlers.

Photo | The Sun Blog

Other varieties such as Jonathan, Stayman, and Pennsylvania’s own Smokehouse were “discovered” in America and became favorites during the 19th century.  Some are hard to find today since they are no longer raised by modern commercial orchards.  Also, Hopewell’s apples are allowed to grow and ripen without the use of applied herbicides or pesticides, allowing them a historic look and taste.

Hopewell Furnace is one of the most complete examples of a late 18th and early 19th century iron-making community.  Park visitors can walk its pathways of history, exploring structures such as the Cast House, Ironmaster’s Mansion, Blacksmith Shop and Barn.

Livestock at the park includes a horse, chickens, and sheep reminiscent of the types that were used to support the work force when the furnace was an active business and community.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site preserves and interprets and early American industrial landscape from natural resource extraction to enlightened conservation. The site is surrounded by the 73,000-acre Hopewell Big Woods, the largest forest in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Showcasing an iron plantation and its surrounding countryside, all of the park’s facilities are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day through Sept. 11. After that date, the park’s facilities will be fully open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Veterans’ Day.  It is closed on other federal holidays.  On Mondays and Tuesdays, when the visitor center and historic buildings are closed, the grounds, trails and restrooms remain open.

Hopewell Furnace is located five miles south of Birdsboro, off of Route 345.  Entrance to the park is free for all ages.

For more information stop by the park’s visitor center, call 610-582-8773, visit the park’s website at:  www.nps.gov/hofu, or contact us by e-mail at hofu_superintendent@nps.gov.  Visitors with specific needs may contact the park for assistance in advance of their visits.

Also, to note, on Sat., Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hopewell will host a Harvest Time festival where they will  cook up apple butter and fun. Everyone is invited to participate in their “pick-your-own” apple sales, watch the farm animals, hear a little historic gossip, and help stir the apple butter.

Here’s a gorgeous roundup of the best grilled dishes made lazily, requiring little checking in and turning over, allowing you to take it easy and mentality prepare for the incoming fall season.

Grilled Corn with Cayenne, Lime, and Cotija

Adapted from Chow

Photo | Chow

Skip the usual dressing for grilled corn, and instead woo your picnicking partners with cotija, a crumble cheese from Mexico, found in Latin markets and most grocery shops.

Photo | Food & Wine

Since clams pop open when they are finished cooking, there is nothing easier than this.

Photo | Food & Wine

These pups are sliced in a crosshatch pattern, allowing them to cook faster than ever before. The sweet and savoryglaze is a winner, too, adding an adult-vibe to the classic bunned meat (this time we’re skipping the usual hot dog buns for croissants).

Photo | Salon

Don’t think that we’d skip grilling dessert, and this recipe is a no-frills, sweet treat finish.

It may be the end of the summer season, but that doesn’t mean the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail is planning to slide into fall without an upbeat, lively celebration! This Labor Weekend, enjoy the end-of-summer festivities spread throughout the local wine trail with cool wines and hot jazz.

Grab a blanket, invite some friends, and come out to enjoy locally-produced wine, while enjoying two live Jazz bands each day, and more!

Here’s the rundown of where you should be enjoying your three-day weekend:

Twin Brook Winery offers a preview to the booming weekend of live music with a Friday evening concert, as part of the 2010 Gazebo Concert Series, this time with Big Package Band. Concert begins tonight, September 3, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission: $10/Adult, $4.00/Child 5-12.

The following includes all the live music set to take stage this weekend, as part of the wine trail’s jazz festival:

Chaddsford Winery

September 4, 5, 6, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Admission: $25/person, includes wine tastings, souvenir wine glass and two live Jazz Bands. Foods available for purchase from Pace One Restaurant, or bring your own picnic. No other alcoholic beverages permitted on grounds. No pets please except assistance animals.

Saturday September 4
• 12:30 - Larry McKenna Quartet with Special Guest Vocalist Nancy Reed
• 3:30 - The Budesa Brothers Trio

Sunday September 5 – Sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors
• 12:30 - Abstract Truth
• 2:45 to 3:15 – 3MD
• 3:30 - Brian Betz/Denis DiBlasio

Monday September 6
• 12:30 - The Reese Project
• 3:30 - Siora

September 4, 12 noon-4 p.m.: Free Lawn Concert:  Dan Frantz

September 5, 12 noon-4:00 p.m. : Free Lawn Concert:  Joey Stout

Enjoy outdoor seating available on the deck & patio for a lively outdoor concert. Feel free to bring your own food, lawn chairs & blankets. No other alcohol allowed on site. For more information, call 610-857-5566, visit their official website at www.blackwalnutwinery.com or stop by their location found at 3000 Lincoln Highway in Sadsburyville.

September 5, 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.: Concert: Atiba Caribbean Steel Drum Band

Enjoy entertainment by 2 members of “The Caribbean Steel Drum Band.” Band members are originally from various Caribbean islands, so the music is as authentic as you can get!

September 5, 7:00 p.m.: Press Pad Picnic

Enjoy a three-course picnic with samples of Stargazers wine paired with each course. You’ll be picnicking right where the wine is made! Catering by Moonlight Catering. $50 (includes tax & gratuity), reservations required.

For more information about the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, visit www.bvwinetrail.com.

But, of all the info that the Downingtown-based brewery dished about in their recent online newsletter, what we are most excited about is their first-ever Victory coffee beer, as made by collaborating with One Village Coffee. Personally being equally a craft beer and coffee snob, this is a match made in liquid heaven!

Want to see the step-by-step of it all? Below is information passed along from Victory Brewing Co., also seen on their beer blog.

Watch the evolution of Victory Village, check  out all three episodes:

Episode 1: Collaboration is King

Episode 2: Cupping at One Village Coffee

Episode 3: Victory + One Village Coffee Beer finally released

Message from Victory: Well, it finally happened. After months of plotting and planning and collaborating the Victory Brewing Co. and One Village Coffee project, here and after referred to as Victory Village, is finally being released to the public.

This coffee beer is not like your typical coffee beer in that we (Victory + One Village) decided to steer clear of the heavier stout or porter style and really expose the coffe flavor through a British style Brown Ale. The result: A coffee beer like no other. You have to taste it to believe it. It’s a beautiful, and uniquely balanced, combination of coffee and beer. Not too much beer to muddle the coffee flavor, not too much coffee to make an ‘adult’ Starbucks product.

It’s been a pleasure to work with the One Village team and are proud to support their unique vision of creating a ‘not-just-for-profit’ roasting house that supports the communities of their suppliers in developing countries around the globe.

Are you still reading this? Why? Get on down to the Victory Brewpub in Dowingtown, PA starting now through September 2010 to try some for yourself (Victory Village will have a very small distribution in the PA + NY markets, we’ll post locations as we get word). Once their won’t be anymore for quites  some time so don’t miss it if you have a chance to try it.

Details:
Beer type: Ale
Alcohol: 5.1% abv
Composition: Three English 2 row malts and two varieties of European whole flower hops

Visit Kennett Square’s favorite Farmers Market growers, plus First Friday Craft Market, children’s activities, and live music on this eventful fermentation-themed Farmers Market. Experience the Kennett Square Farmers Market like never before. Stay tuned for a complete festival line-up.

But, for now, note that during the fermentation festival will be a Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:30, including beer, spirit and cheese tastings.

You can score a spot at the happy hour and land a place at Kennett Square’s latest music venue, Kennett Flash, where Philly Folk Parade will be performing, for the price of $28 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information and/or tickets, click here.

In honor of their latest beer on wheels’ launch, they’re giving away a ‘Bring Your Brewery To Work Day’ party to one lucky person and 299 of their co-workers and customers. That’s right, they’ll roll up with all the beer and BBQ you and your company could possibly eat for FREE!

To be eligible for the drawing just drop your business card off in the fish bowl at the hostess desk in Downingtown’s brewpub. They’ll be drawing a winner on Oct 1st so get down to and drop your card off today! (one card per person, please).

For more information, visit victorybeer.com.