Seniors Enjoy A Top Ten Best Small Town

I read recently that Rick Santorum, a former U.S. senator, spent his formative years in Butler, PA. Santorum is just one of a bunch of notable people who have been connected to Butler over the years. So this senior just had to go to Butler , located in Butler County, and check out the town of Butler.

Butler was rated by Smithsonian Magazine one of the top ten best small towns in America. Only 35 miles north of Pittsburg, and home to 14,000 residents, Butler has been home to industry and family owned businesses for more than 200 years, marking its place in history.

The birthplace of the Bantam Jeep, oil refining roots, railroad car manufacturing, headquarters of Westinghouse Nuclear, Butler County is the industrial hub of the area and Butler is right in the middle of things.

Seniors Discover A Main Street Community

The downtown shopping and restaurant district in Butler is a thriving, nationally accredited Main Street community. As the county seat, Butler is also the hub of government and commercial activity.  Butler truly provides residents with metropolitan living and small town convenience. It is conveniently close to the city of Pittsburgh and enjoys world-class education, medicine, arts and sports,

This brief history of Butler can bring you up to date on how it has thrived so well over the years. Butler got its name from Major General Richard Butler, who fell at the 1791 Battle of Wabash. Ever heard of that battle? Me either.

TripAdvisor suggests that senior visitors stop in at Cummings Coffee & Candy, the oldest business in town, then trip over to the Maridon Museum with its Chinese artwork.

Take in the Butler County Symphony Orchestra, Pullman Park and a baseball game and Willow Run Stable is close by for a fun horseback ride.

Seniors Find An Active And Historical Town

Butler is quite an active town with a Road Race, the historic Butler Little Theater and a Fall Festival in September that features car shows, all kinds of ethnic foods, and lots of items from various cultures.

Then you will find that the locals enjoy basketball with the Butler BlueSox, football with the Butler County Bears, and Softball and Sports Leagues. Senior visitors will also discover a town that is loaded with history.

The Butler County Historical Society operates several museums that depict life in Butler County. The Society preserves Butler County’s rich heritage through four historic sites: Butler County Heritage Center, Cooper Cabin Pioneer Homestead, Little Red School House and Lowrie/Shaw House.

Seniors, set your GPS for Butler and enjoy getting to know the town.  -jeb

Seniors Enjoy Historical City

Philadelphia is the second largest city on the East Coast, behind NYC. With historical landmarks such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, senior visitors see why 1.5 million people find this city such a fascinating place to live .

Philadelphia sits adjacent to the New Jersey and Delaware state lines, and as such, its metropolitan area encompasses counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Located at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, Philadelphia is the economic and cultural center of the Delaware Valley.

Years back, I was in Philadelphia for a teacher workshop, and after being there only one day, I invited my wife to join me. She did and we had a great week enjoying Philadelphia .

Seniors Find The Spirit of Independence Still Alive

The Philly population runs right at 1.5 million and overflows with history . Until 1830, not L.A., not New York, but Philadelphia was the nation’s largest city. Today Philadelphia ranks #5 right behind Houston and Chicago for population.

Among the major highlights is the Philadelphia Museum of Art that houses one of the finest collection of 19th and 20th century art. A visit without seeing the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall would possibly mean you really have not been to Philadelphia .

Philadelphia nightlife offers a diverse scene with something for everyone. Old City has many popular bars and Northern Liberties is another local favorite.

With a spirit of independence, the city and region are giving birth to a new generation of energized people designing this Modern Renaissance City only 90 minutes from New York City and a couple of hours from DC by train.

Seniors Find Popular Center City

For senior visitors, the landing point will be what is called Center City, the “downtown” section of Philadelphia. The 2010 Center City residential population of 57,000 makes it the third most populated central business district in America, behind NYC and Chicago. Other popular districts you will not want to miss are Old City, West Philly, and South Philly.

For you sports fans, Philly is home to the Phillies baseball team as well as the Philadelphia Eagles. The “Official State Website” notes that The City of Brotherly Love is the birthplace of our country.

Once senior visitors have seen the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and Independence Hall, they can explore the city’s myriad artistic and cultural offerings.

Senior tourists can get a Philly cheesesteak (Yum Yum), shop at the famed Italian Market, check out the funky scene along South Street, or visit one of Philadelphia’s many fine dining establishments.

Philadelphia has America’s first zoo, a 42-acre Victorian garden that is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of them rare and endangered.

Pick up a Philadelphia CityPASS, valid for nine consecutive days and provides admission tickets to 5 must-see tourist attractions in town. Spend several days exploring Philly and enjoy. -jeb

Seniors Check Out Zelienople

With a name like Zelienople, I just had to pay a visit to discover what’s there for senior visitors to enjoy and the derivation of the name of the town. I learned that Zelienople is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, 28 miles north of Pittsburgh. It’s small with a population right at 4,000.

The borough is situated on the south bank of Connoquenessign Creek in an area that is rich with coal and iron ore. Me, I find the names Connoquenessign Creek and Zelienople kind of go together, don’t you agree? Zelienople is called a ‘Modern Place with Old Fashioned Grace’.

There’s plenty for senior travelers to do,  from exploring museums and art galleries to enjoying the breathtaking scenery of great parks and rolling countryside. Relax at the spa, hit the greens or take in a memorable wine tasting experience.

Seniors Find Interesting Name, Interesting History

Zelienople was named for the eldest daughter, Zelie, of Baron Dettmar Basse (1762–1836).  Baron Basse arrived in 1802 from Germany and purchased a tract of 10,000 acres of land in Butler and Beaver counties.

He proceeded to lay out a village and build his own private residence, a three-story castle, complete with towers, turrets and battlements, named “The Bassenheim” (Basse’s Home). Basse then established a sawmill, brickyard, and an iron furnace.

For the past 44 years, one of the major annual events is the town’s summer Horse Trading Days Arts and Music Festival . Crafters, vendors, entertainers and tourists are drawn from the entire tri-state area to participate in the family-oriented event that features concerts, games, contests, shopping, food, and a 5-mile (8 km) run/walk event.

Zelienople-Harmony Area Interests Senior Travelers

The neighboring town of Harmony grew from a pacifistic commune established by the Pietist “prophet” Johann Georg Rapp in 1803.

The 4000 acres, purchased from Barron Basse became the Harmony Society whose members pledged to combined their worldly goods and live as one spiritual family.

Steeped in rich history, the Zelienople-Harmony area provides senior tourists and travelers a variety of interesting facts and curious folklore.

Senior golfers, bring your clubs and play a round at the Cranberry Highlands Golf Course. TripAdvisor suggests you check out the Strand Theater.The Mussig Flower Shop is another worthwhile stop, along with both Fishers Bar and Restaurant and Rumors Bar and Grill for some quality dining. As you explore the streets of Zelienople, you’ll notice a fine old building on Main Street up a few doors from The Passavant House.

Stop at Zelienople’s Main Street Park at the four corners where there are a variety of events at the Annual Country Fall Festival.

Music, food, historic encampments, farmers market, pony rides and farm pets, antiques, crafters, and maybe take a free ride in a horse drawn trolley wagon and dine in a friendly restaurant. It’s all there in Zelienople - jeb

Seniors Travel Through Southeast Pennsylvania

This senior didn’t know much about Swarthmore except that my friend Jack went to Swarthmore College . Jack and I traveled together all over Europe on our Lambretta motor scooter right after I had graduated from college. We had a great learning experience as a couple of 21 year old adventurers.

We collected 46 passport stamps crossing borders, had a wreck in the Pyrenees, a flat tire, got chased by gypsies in Spain, nearly got gassed with fumes in the seven mile tunnel between Italy and France and suffered a broken rear axle in Brussels. We had a highly memorable cycling experience in the rain and a great snowball fight up above the clouds in Andorra, a country high in the Pyrenees between Spain and France.

Ah yes, we are visiting Swarthmore today… a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Swarthmore is located in extreme southeastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware River at the New Jersey border, in a lovely bucolic setting.

Swarthmore was originally named Westdale in honor of noted painter Benjamin West, who was one of the early residents of the town. The town changed its name to Swarthmore after the College was founded in 1864.

Seniors Find A Senior Friendly Town

With a population of just over 6,000. Swarthmore is a tree-lined residential community of distinctive homes and quiet neighborhoods, anchored by the campus of Swarthmore College. At the center of the Borough is a downtown core of unique, independent shops and services.

The Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association has something for everyone. Seniors, age 65 years or older, ride free at all times on bus, trackless trolley, subway, and trolley service. Regional Rail fares vary depending on your final destination and that’s a pretty good deal for seniors.

The school district has one high school, one middle school, and three elementary schools. Wallingford-Swarthmore schools are highly regarded, and the district is one of the best in suburban Philadelphia.

Swarthmore Is ‘One Of The Best’

Swarthmore is loaded with parks and 3 super B&Bs,  the Longfellow House, the Magnolia House and the Purcell Darrell House. The Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College can fill in the past history of the borough, which began with its development as a college town and commuter suburb.

Access to good roads and public transportation encouraged the development of its residential and business community in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The 21st century finds Swarthmore to be the home of one of the best liberal arts colleges in America. Equally impressive is its award winning public school district, its ideal location and transportation system and its strong sense of community.

Sound interesting? It is. Senior travelers, plan to swing through  Swarthmore the next time you’re in Pennsylvania. -jeb

Historic Doylestown Attracts Senior Travelers

Doylestown, a borough and the county seat of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has a population of a little over 8,000. Senior travelers will find Doylestown 27 miles due north of Philadelphia and 80 miles southwest of New York City.

Many feel that the name “ Doylestown ” was derived from an innkeeper named William Doyle who kept a public house in 1745 known as “Doyle’s Tavern”. Today Doylestown is known as a place for “Preserving the Past and Embracing the Future.”

The Doyle family originally came from France and their name was D’ouilli , but moved to Ireland during the Inquisition. Around 1600 their name was changed to D’oyley and later to Doyle .

Dr. David Hanauer sends us on a photographic journey of Buck’s County and Doylestown. At the very bottom of this link is a short film from 1954 called “Our Home Town” and another focusing on the local Historical Society. I think that senior readers will find this link most interesting.

Seniors Hear of Famous Former Residents

Famous folks have called Doylestown home.  So it was for James Michener, Henry Chapman Mercer (an architect) and Oscar Hammerstein II. Pearl Buck, Margaret Mead and a rock star named Pink  called this borough home as well.

Doylestown was originally the territory of the Lenni Lenape tribe of the Delaware Indians. Doylestown and Bucks County today remain widely regarded as some of the most beautiful countryside in the country. It is classified as one of the best places in the nation to raise a family.

Senior visitors will discover great places to bike and hike, and some fine restaurants in a downtown area lively with attractive small shops. The borough hosts events all year long that bring in folks from all over the county.

Seniors Even Find a Castle

Fonthill, a concrete castle with over 40 rooms, was once the home of Henry Mercer (1856-1930). It is the #1 attraction in Doylestown. Mercer was an archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramist, scholar and antiquarian and built Fonthill both as his home and as a showplace for his collection of tiles and prints.

Mercer Museum rates high as well. Mercer constructed the building to house his collection of nearly 30,000 pre-industrial revolution tools and artifacts. Mercer began construction of the Museum in 1913 with the help of eight day laborers and “Lucy” the horse. He completed construction in June of 1916.

Take in the “Art & Soul” of Bucks County, the James A. Michener Art Museum. It offers a fine collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings with special exhibitions and showcases several regional artists.

The Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle offer a wide array of programs, events, exhibits and tours. Senior genealogists, you can research your family history in their extensive Library operated by the Bucks County Historical Society.

I encourage you to put Doylestown in your itinerary when you are in eastern Pennsylvania. -jeb

Seniors Visit Historic Carlisle

Carlisle Borough , (pop. 20,000+), is one of Pennsylvania’s most treasured historic communities. Senior travelers will find Carlisle located in picturesque south-central Pennsylvania just west of Harrisburg. Carlisle, founded in 1751,  has a long history dating back to before the American Revolution.

Carlisle overflows with historic treasures, including a church once attended by George Washington and a courthouse that was heavily damaged by artillery during the Civil War. Carlisle combines history and beauty as senior visitors will discover.

Carlisle’s tree-lined streets invite senior visitors to walk the same paths as those walked by the Commander of the Continental Army and President of the United States, George Washington;  Declaration of Independence signer, James Wilson; Olympic medalist, Jim Thorpe;  Battle of Monmouth heroine, “Molly Pitcher”;  and the list goes on and on.

Dickinson College is located in Carlisle and traces its history back to 1773 as Carlisle Grammar School. Today the school has  240 full-time faculty members and an enrollment of nearly 2,400 students, Dickinson College has been recognized for its innovative curriculum and international education programs.

Senior Car Buffs Enjoy Automotive Capital

Read up on the history of Carlisle. My wife and I recently visited a museum where Jim Thorpe was highlighted as an American hero and one of the most versatile athletes in history. Thorpe entered the school in 1907, played football under a famed coach named Pop Warner and he later won olympic fame.

Start your journey in the historic part of town . Strolling through historic downtown, senior visitors are greeted by unique architecture, quaint shops, and overall serenity. Carlisle Events Auto Show produces 13 annual events that puts Pennsylvania’s “automotive capital” on the map. A half a million folks come to Carlisle each year taking in the automotive events.

From Carlisle, hike a part of the Appalachian Trail that runs from Maine to Georgia. Do some biking, tan up a bit on the beaches and take in the great scenery in the nearby state parks.  Stop at a Farmer’s Market and stay in one of the Valley’s bed and breakfasts.

Walk With The Mayor

Tag along with former Mayor Kirk Wilson on a short personal walk of Carlisle and become acquainted with the inviting ambiance of the borough. Carlisle is home to the US Army War College, the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, the Molly Pitcher Brewing Company as well as the American Artisan Gallery. If you even get excited about the smell of leather or the sight of unique art, you will find it at the Gallery.

Stop in Carlisle any time of the year and take in a great Pennsylvania Borough. -jeb

Seniors Visit Historic Pottsville

Pottsville, with a population of just over 14,000, lies along the west bank of the Schuylkill River, 97 miles northwest of Philadelphia and not too far west of Allentown, yesterday’s blog. Senior travelers will find Pottsville in the coal region of the state. History dating to the early 1700s abounds in and around Pottsville .

Pottsville’s anthracite coal history began in 1790 when a coal seam was discovered by a hunter named Necho Allen. Legend has it that Allen fell asleep at the base of the Broad Mountain and woke to the sight of a large fire; his campfire had ignited an outcropping of coal.

By 1795 an anthracite-fired iron furnace was established on the local river. In 1806 John Pott purchased the furnace and thus the name Pottsville.

Seniors Run Into Lavender, Breweries and Classic Cars

If you like highly scented flowers, cars from the early 50s, local beer and classic theater, Pottsville is for you . I would start off with a visit to Hope Hill Lavender Farm. I love lavender and the scent associated with those purple flowers.

At the Yuengling Brewery, America’s Oldest Brewery, senior visitors can enjoy a tour and a free sample at the end. Jerry’s Classic Cars and Collectible Museum is not your typical car museum. If you enjoy reliving the days of the past when cars were classically designed, Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles museum can take you back in time and provide you with an unforgettable auto experience. Over 20,000 collectibles are housed in this old Studebaker dealership.

The Majestic Theater, one of two reverse-screen theaters remaining in the state of Pennsylvania, is the sole theater remaining in downtown Pottsville. Built in 1910, the Theater is an eclectic style, two-and-a-half story building with a Beaux Arts-classical façade.

Upstairs in Mud & Maker is a full-service ceramics studio where folks of all ages and abilities are able to learn hand-building, wheel-throwing, casting and more. And for your grandkids, TripBuzz found 68 things to do with kids in or near Pottsville.

Seniors Enjoy Elegant Old Home

The Frank D. Yuengling House, constructed in 1913, is a fine example of early, twentieth century Tudor-Jacobethan Revival architecture and well worth a visit. Originally it was the home of the Yuengling family, the owners of the local brewery.

The formal living room paneled in solid mahogany with ornate tapestry wall hangings epitomizes the elegance of the neo-Jacobethan architecture. I know that my wife and I would really enjoy that visit.

The Schuylkill County Historical Society in Pottsville has a priceless collection of historical materials. Pottsville hosts over 100,000 tourists annually visiting Yuengling Brewery, Martz Hall, Pottsville Cruise, Block of Art, Jerry’s Classic Cars and Collectibles, Sovereign Majestic Theater and the Schuylkill County Historical Society, the city’s principal tourist attractions.

Perhaps a stay at The Maid’s Quarters B&B and Tearoom or Partridge House B&B, two classy older homes turned Bed and Breakfast would interest you.  I know it would us.  - jeb

Seniors Enjoy a Visit to Allentown

Allentown was originally named Northampton town by its founder, Chief Justice of Colonial Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, William Allen. Senior visitors learn that Allen, also a former Mayor of Philadelphia and successful businessman, drew up plans for the rural village in 1762.

Despite its formal name, from the beginning, nearly everyone called it “Allen’s town” . In 1838, the city officially adopted the name Allentown.

Trout Hall, built in 1770 by James Allen, William Allen’s son, is the oldest house in Allentown. From 1867 to 1905, it served as the home of Muhlenberg College. Allentown, on the Lehigh River, is the largest of the three Pennsylvania cities that make up the Lehigh Valley .

Seniors Visit Historical City

Allentown is probably most well known as the subject of the eponymous Billy Joel song. The long history of Allentown has left it with an impressive architectural heritage. The Allentown Art Museum, which contains a reconstructed room designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, offers exhibits, tours, galleries, lectures, workshops, and family activities.

The Liberty Bell Museum located in historic Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mack Trucks Historical Museum as well as the America On Wheels Museum attract senior visitors who enjoy trucks and all modes of wheeled transportation.

The city is also home to the Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom amusement park. Visitors will discover a host of other things to see and do in Allentown starting off with the famed state-of-the-art Coca-Cola Park.

Allentown is full of history with beautiful parks and great events. The West End Theatre District is an area that interests senior visitors with its fine dining restaurants.

Arts Festival, One of the Largest

Mayfair, a five-day multicultural arts festival held each May, and the Lehigh Valley Blues Festival both attract a large following. The Allentown Civic Theatre is the Lehigh Valley’s home for Broadway-styled stage shows and where the annual production of A Christmas Carol is now a Lehigh Valley holiday tradition.

Lincoln Financial Field is home to the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies play at the brand-new, 43,000-seat Citizens Bank Park. The Wachovia Center hosts the home games of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and the NBA’s 76ers, so its sports galore in and around Allentown.

Blue Marsh Lake offers good hiking trails, boating and fishing in the summer, and ice fishing, ice skating and sledding in the winter.

Miller Symphony Hall is the premier performing arts facility in Allentown . Senior visitors can’t help but notice the Albertus Meyers Bridge, commonly called the 8th Street Bridge at the time it was built, and said to be the largest concrete bridge in the world.

There seems to me to be something awaiting for just about everyone who visits Allentown. -jeb

Stroudsburg and The Poconos Invite Seniors

Here is a new wrinkle for a travel blog. I woke up early this AM and the name Stroudsburg jumped into this senior’s head.  W hy? I don’t know, but was reason enough for research on this city.

I discovered that Stroudsburg is a borough in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The city was laid out by Col. Jacob Stoud (1735–1806) in 1799. Currently Stroudsburg has an estimated population of about 7,000 inhabitants.

It is located in the world famous Poconos region of the state, approximately five miles from the Delaware Water Gap, at the confluence of the Brodhead and Pocono Creeks. The Pocono region remains Pennsylvania’s biggest tourist attraction with over 8 million visitors annually. So set your GPS for Stroudsburg, senior travelers.

Historic and Traditional, Downtown Invites Seniors

Downtown Stroudsburg is known for its wide tree-lined Main Street and historically rich architecture. Senior visitors will discover in this traditional downtown area, 30 specialty shops, numerous antique stores, about 30 restaurants, 10 banks and financial centers, 9 art galleries, 8 churches and a famous theater.

Downtown is the anchor for the more and more modern shopping centers that are being built around the area, wanting to be in or near the historic downtown. TripAdvisor suggests that you start off your visit with the Sherman Theater, a major attraction in town. Senior travelers will find a host of classic B&Bs all over the area to make your stay memorable.

The Monroe County Historical Association has offices located in the historic Stroud Mansion, built in 1795 by the family that founded Stroudsburg. The rooms of the Stroud Mansion are open to the public as a museum filled with exhibits and local artifacts from times gone by.

Hiking Trails, Farmer’s Markets and Wildlife Sanctuary…

Just up the road on Route 209 is East Stroudsburg, home to the Warriors of East Stroudsburg University. You will find plenty of hiking trails in the area plus several Farmer’s Markets.

The Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is a 166 acre preserve not to be missed. Now owned by the County, this interesting arena for outdoor programs has an old field, mature deciduous forest, evergreen stands, and two ponds. Over 2 1/2 miles of maintained and well marked trails are open for public use year-round, 7 days a week.

You will discover attractions all across the state of Pennsylvania. I challenge you to find Stroudsburg. Hint. Look straight North of Philly.

Put on your hiking boots, bring your appetite for some of the finest restaurants in the area and enjoy the many amenities of Stroudsburg. -jeb

Seniors Find Lickity Split In New Holland

New Holland, a Borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with a population just over 5,000, is the home of Lickity Split Restaurant . This senior came across the town as being the home of this super ice-cream shop.

A local couple, Mitch and Gina Dissinger and their family, realized their dreams this past June when they open up a restaurant after many months of remodeling a section of the former Kauffman’s Hardware Store. “Lickity Split,” also now known as “The Town Scoop,” is located at 209 East Main Street, New Holland.

Seniors Enjoy Amish Country

I’ve been to Lancaster County PA.  Loved all the huge red barns, the hex signs on them, the amish buggies and the numerous farms without electricity. The Amish attractions in and around New Holland are numerous.

That county is unique in the country and the Amish food is special in the regional restaurants.  I spent a couple of  weeks in Lancaster County camping in a tent with my wife and three small children when I was conducting a workshop in a nearby college.

Seniors will want to visit this quiet town known for its attractive community, regional Museum, pitch-n-putt golf course, special arboretum park… and Lickity Split. It remains a major industrial center of the county, while retaining a mix of businesses, motels, B & Bs and shops as well as varied and attractive residential neighborhoods.

Seniors Discover the Garden Spot

What to do in a small village? Well, for starters, visit the regional Museum with its historic jail cell, spend a day at the Community Park with its picnic pavilions, pitch-n-putt golf course and public pool…and every day eat some ice cream. Enjoy the Saturday morning Farmers Market or perhaps a summer evening of outdoor entertainment at the Park.

One visit and seniors will understand why people choose to live, work and shop in this community in the center of the “Garden Spot.” The State Championship BBQ Cook-Off is held annually in New Holland.

In and around New Holland you will find some really neat things to see and do like a buggy ride, an Amish Maple Smorgasbord, horseback riding and some really cool B&Bs. That’s where  we stayed in Amish country Indiana.

Heritage of Agriculture

New Holland’s history goes back to 1727. By the time John Diffenderfer (love that name) arrived in Philadelphia from Europe in 1727, William Penn’s invitation to those seeking religious freedom was already a few decades old.

Nevertheless, by 1728 Diffenderfer and his family settled in the wooded countryside, near what would become New Holland, Lancaster County .  Other German farmers followed Diffenderfer and settled across the countryside of northern Lancaster County.

New Holland’s agricultural heritage is responsible for making the town’s name known around the world for its farm equipment. Today, it is known as Case-New Holland, the second-largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment in the world.

Come on over to Lancaster County and enjoy Lickity Split. jeb