On the Way to the Wharf…………
by Cate Murway
Relaxing sometimes needs to be the order of the day.
Looking for a great location for a scenic, leisurely,
stress relieving afternoon stroll with spectacular river views?
The 1681 riverfront town [first settled as Buckingham]
of Historic Bristol on the Delaware fits the bill.
The Bristol Wharf and the Historic Mill Street Shopping District
provide such a perfect opportunity to walk about,
shop and dine and sit and relax at the gazebo.
It’s pretty mellow here and perfect for kicking back!
The Borough, a Landmark Town, is one of the oldest settlements in the USA and it proudly hosts a myriad of special events in Bristol Lion’s Park at the water’s edge, including the Antique Auto Show, this Sunday’s Celtic Day from 1:00PM –8:00PM, African-American Day, Italian Day, an Arts & Crafts Festival, the Fall Auto Show and Puerto Rican Day.
Or mark your calendar to take in a show at the Bristol Riverside Theatre.
Great Balls Of Fire - A Legacy of the Fifties is playing through Sunday.
The time of quiet summer mornings and peaceful afternoons has arrived.
There is a delicacy to the summer sounds.
Listen to the the light swoosh of the passing boats and the elaborate calls or soothing subdued squawks of the gulls while you take in the scenery.
The rich history is wrapped around the meticulously kept and lovingly maintained unique elegant Victorian homes along Radcliffe Street with their magnificent cultural significance and diversity of styles.
An historically enlightening FREE guided tour at the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Museum will enhance your visiting experience. The interior boasts impressive collections of art, paintings and artifacts that reflect an intimate look at the family's deep pride in its American heritage, lavish furnishings and enchanting river views at almost every turn.
The house was built in 1818 and the wealthy owners of the local textile mills, Mr. and Mrs. William Hulme Grundy and their children, purchased it in 1884.
This year marks the 85th Anniversary of the passing of Mrs. Mary Lamb [Ridgway] Grundy, as well as the 50th year anniversary of the passing of her son, industrialist and politician, Senator Joseph R. Grundy. The Ridgway family had settled near the falls of the Delaware about the same time of William Penn's arrival here.
This town is also the site of the landmark Grundy Mill, the impressive Grundy Commons buildings, with its easy-to-spot century old clock tower.
The buildings date from the key periods of industrial and population growth, reflecting Bristol’s role as a premier industrial center of Bucks County.
The clock has struck 100!
A definite, at ease kind of 'anything goes, all are welcome' type of feeling is present on Mill Street, invoking a "back in the good old days" feeling. The area is family friendly, walkable, and livable with a strong sense of community pride. The streets are quiet and lined with trees, a great family neighborhood where you can hang out at the coffee shops, and see couples pushing strollers and walking their dogs. There are locally owned shops and restaurants, and the array of antique and “repurposed” shops will entice you!
On Wednesdays, Sweet Mustard Seed will be hosting a story hour in the backyard of their shoppe for children ages 3-8, weather permitting from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Please message them on facebook or call the store at 215.788.1234 to confirm. Children can bring a beach towel or small blanket or ask about a Sweet Mustard “Seat” sit-upon to listen to the storyteller upclose. Space is limited, cost is FREE. Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
While you are there, join their Coffee Club or Gatorade Gang. Simply ask for a coupon card. Buy ten cups/bottles and get one FREE.
Win a sandwich! Using ingredients available on their menu, create a sandwich for their daily special. Post your sandwich idea on the facebook wall or drop a card with your recipe creation into the “lunch box” and the sandwich idea with the most "likes" by 6:30PM will be their daily special the next day.
The creator of that sandwich will get it for free!!
Keep walking, it’s great exercise! The variety offered in the stores is amazing.
Be sure to make a stop in the Mill Street Market Place.
Home Sweet Home Bakery offers a myriad of tempting baked goods, including authentic old world recipe cannoli delicacies and old-fashioned tender strawberry shortcake with layers of strawberries topped with whipped cream.
Then keep walking, it’s great exercise!
Looking for a last minute, one-of-a-kind gift?
Janis Van Sant, proprietor of Janis Van Sant Originals, crafts summer colored ankle bracelets and beautiful handmade iced- out Swarovski crystal sun catchers.
Dr. Bob Computers offers new and refurbished computers and parts and an eclectic mix of various hard-to-find treasures. A summer “must have”, Ketchup2 is the perfect universal condiment gift to bring to a bar-b-que, eliminating the need to purchase multiple products. It is ketchup, barbeque sauce, wing/hot sauce, steak and stir-fry sauce in a recycled bottle.
JoMarie's Boutique & Gift Shop for the Chic Woman is having an early summer clearance sale and is expanding to include cosmetics. The adjoining store, JoMarie's ‘Let’s Face It’ will open in July, offering makeovers and facial care.
Calling all sincere sports fanatics!
There is a perfect opportunity to honor and watch some of the best men and women softball athletes who played in the area during the 40’s to the 80’s this Sunday.
The Bristol Alumni and Athletic Association is sponsoring the seventh annual exhibition softball classic game this Sunday, June 26th, starting at 5:30 P.M at the Mike Manto Little League Field. Bristol’s great ball player Robert Lattanzi will be among those honored. Bobby played and earned 2 home runs against the world-renowned, infamously successful, “unbeatable” King & His Court team that fielded only a pitcher, catcher, shortstop, and first baseman.
Bring a pen. Signatures are called autographs here. The former standout athletes will prove they still know their stuff!
Join the special VIP “meet and greet” following the game.
The noteworthy history, the pictorial scenery, the plethora of spectacular events and family fun and entertainment, and the food establishments that overlook the water are all wonderful but it’s the people who make it special. It’s all about connections.
Traditions connect the community. You’ll feel it at every corner.
Visit historic Bristol on the Delaware for another healthy dose of small town America.
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
