See You in September….

by Cate Murway

Whether you live in historic Bristol on the Delaware or you're just visiting for a day, it doesn't take long to realize it is someplace special. The Borough is infused with down- home charm and its history is reflected in the enduring landmark elegance, allowing it to stand out as a little slice of paradise coupled with a huge heart. It is really one very cool small town and the month of September is stuffed with stupendous selections of fun activities and events and a stash of things to do.

Bristol often runs on two speeds: adrenaline-pumping fast and good-ole'-days calm. There are express lanes at grocery stores, hurry-up offenses in football, and on-the-go lifestyles that find everyone going their separate ways, so slow down the pace some and enjoy the events. What is most noteworthy, one can visit every weekend and never quite do the same thing. So, Welcome Friend!

Last Saturday, the Villa Joseph Marie female athletes with 19 points [the JEM’s Stephanie Hughes won the girls’ race] and the Bristol High School male athletes with 25 points [Conwell-Egan’s Brian Kelly captured the boys’ race] mastered the 2.9-mile macadam course at the 46th Annual Mill Street Run. The 47th Mill Street Run will be September 6, 2014, always the Saturday after Labor Day.

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Everyone is Italian at least once a year, especially this Saturday, September 14th, when the Bristol Lions Club hosts the 30th Annual Italian Festival. Flavorful Italian food and the music of Jim Prinerano will highlight this celebration from noon until 8:00 p.m.

Former Lions President/ Italian Day chairman, Angelo Francis Grisolia has incorporated a craft fair atmosphere to the traditional selections. Scott Saunders’ BCTHS Culinary Arts class preps the ubiquitous crowd pleasing sausage links, bell peppers, sweet onions and roast pork for the delicious concoctions.

Meatballs, don’t forget the meatballs and leave some room for a unique Italian hot dog, a most generous portion of 2 all-beef hot dogs and a curious, breakfast-y combination of fried potatoes, peppers and onions on a crispy sub roll.

If you don’t make a meal of it, you haven’t embraced the entire experience.

Check out the infamous summer favorites! Heather Lynn Quattrocchi’s Snyder- Girotti 8th grade outdoor gardening class will be selling vegetable items, and social studies teacher Doug Braun will bring the garden classic bruschetta salsa.

St. Ann Church volunteers will supply the Pizza Frittas, the classic favorite Neapolitan meal/ great tasting snack, loaded with sauce and cheese, or doused with your choice of granulated or powdered sugar. The Lioness Club provides a heavenly combination of old world recipe cannolis and pizzelle waffle cookies, desserts that speak Italiano.  Try a scoop of authentic Italian water ice or your choice of ice cream treat. Cotton candy will be available in a bag or a cone.

The kids can work on craft projects and carnival-like arcade games and an artist will create personalized cartoons. Tickets will be sold for children to play on an obstacle course, a giant slide or in the moon bounce combination units supplied by Fun for Everyone.

Amidst all the festivity and excitement, Bristol Fire Company - Station 51 has agreed to bring a dunk tank.

Stop into “Bucks County Baseball Cards”, a full-service sport goods provider on 237 Mill Street. Jim Lutz has an incredible selection of sports memorabilia of famous professional Italian athletes, including game-worn items of “big talent from a small town”, former Major League infielder, Jeffrey Paul Manto. Bristol Borough 21st Century Community Learning Center showed its appreciation for his incredible talent and the enormous contribution that he’s made to the Center and honored Jeff with “Person of the Year 2011”.

“We Serve” is the Lions’ motto. All proceeds profit The BHS Scholarship Fund, helps the group with its free summer concert series, and benefits their longtime focus on addressing blindness and eye health issues. Carry a chair down to Lions Park and enjoy the day.  RAIN DATE: Sunday, September 15th.

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On Saturday, September 21st, come on down for a great night of famous "harmonizers" who changed the world of music beyond recognition, providing the sound embodiment of a time and a generation. The Bristol Borough Council is hosting the 8th Annual Doo Wop in the Park featuring professional performing groups that deserve their place in music history. The Original Tymes, inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005; The Coasters, the Crown Princes of rhythm and blues/rock and roll; and the headliner group, The Duprees with their romantic lyrics, will share their ebullient, energizing, entertaining, expressive, and danceable music from 6:00-11:00 p.m.

Bristol Borough's sensational restaurants offer a wide selection of dinner choices from Italian, Classic American and Indian cuisine and several of the restaurants are within walking distance of the performance venue. Lawn chairs and blankets recommended. RAIN DATE: Sunday, September 22, 2013

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Get your game on from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29th when the inaugural HeartChase comes to historic Bristol on the Delaware. Meet the executive co-chair, Dr. Charlie Flood, D.C. at the Bristol Wharf for an innovative team challenge in the heart of the community! It’s not your typical walk or race but a fun, challenge-based game that brings small teams on a race through town to complete a series of enjoyable and light activities at each checkpoint. Learn heart-healthy information and score points to compete for the win.  This HeartChase event brings teams of 2-5 friends and neighbors together in a competition to solve puzzles and complete challenges in a race to see who can earn the most points.

Along with the event, this day will also include a 50/50, Chinese Auction, a face painter and a DJ, as well as light food and refreshments for everyone. All proceeds benefit the American Heart Association.

For more information about HeartChase, visit the event website, Honor.AmericanHeart.org/LowerBucks.

Traditions connect this community. You’ll feel it at every corner.

Visit historic Bristol on the Delaware for another healthy dose of small town America.

“See you in September….See you when the summer's through…”

Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com