“Do you love to draw?” the man on the commercial asked when I was seven. “YES! Yes I do!” I thought. He then urged me to send away for an art test so I could draw Tippy the Turtle and the experts at the Art Instruction School would decide whether I had the talent to be a serious art student. I never sent away for the test. I was already serious. I wanted to be an Artist.
The juncture that cemented my decision was when my seventh grade art teacher Mrs. Neidhart picked my still life painting for the school's art exhibit. My Dad hung it in our dining room with pride. That was the defining moment. I continued taking drawing, painting and pottery classes for years and during high school I took every art class I could fit into my schedule.
College application season arrived and I wanted to attend an art school. My father, always the pragmatist who survived the Great Depression said, “Art school?? No. You need financial stability.” I settled on a major in advertising and marketing, and snuck in a Fine Arts minor. Over the last 30 years I worked and raised kids but my passion has never faded, it’s just been sitting on the back burner, simmering.
Now that my schedule is all mine, kids away at college, I’m taking classes and I set up a little pottery studio in our aptly named mudroom. I’m creating and loving art like I did as a kid.
Maybe someday when someone asks me “So what do you do?” I’ll be able to fulfill my lifelong dream and reply, “I’m an artist.” It’s never too late. As we age we're like a fine wine, perfecting over time revealing our true nature.
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IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO BE
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN
• Grandma Moses began her painting career at 78. In 2006, one of her paintings sold for $1.2 million.
• Julia Child worked in advertising before writing her first cookbook when she was 50.
• Tim and Nina Zagat were 51-year-old lawyers when they published their first collection of restaurant reviews.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first "Little House" book at age 65.
• Harry Bernstein achieved notoriety at age 96 for his 2007 memoir "The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers."
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| FIRST FRIDAY: OCTOBER 4th
Kennett Square’s Art Stroll
6:00 PM -9:00 PM
Celebration of the local art scene as it is showcased in the galleries, shops and restaurants throughout town. Celebrate the arts in vibrant downtown.
Details
Phoenixville First Friday
6:00 PM -10:00 PM
You'll find live music, theatrical performances, local artists, & fun surprises! Walk around and explore some of the arts venues, small shops, unique boutiques and outstanding restaurants.
Details
West Chester First Friday &
Autumn Gallery Walk
Art Walk 5:00 PM -9:00 PM
Come downtown to explore new arrivals, special sales, complimentary snacks and beverages, extended hours and more at your favorite local shops and businesses.
An eclectic mix of gallery receptions and one-night exhibits is what makes Gallery Walk an evening of fun and surprises! More than three dozen artists display their work at galleries, shops, banks, and restaurants throughout downtown.
Details
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| FALL FOODIE FUN
Media Food & Crafts Festival
Sunday, October 6th
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thousands turn out each year to savor the outstanding flavors of Media and regional restaurants. Get a jump on your holiday shopping at Media’s retail boutiques and browse hand-made crafts.
Details
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| Phoenixville Food Truck Festival
Saturday, October 5th
Noon to 6:00 PM
30+ Food Trucks will grace the streets with globally influenced eats, giving you the opportunity to enjoy city-style eating in the suburbs. Both city-based and local trucks and vendors participate in this unique event.
Details
Palette to Palate
Saturday, October 26th
10:00 AM –4:00 PM
Rose Hill Farm
490 Apple Grove Road, Coatesville
An exciting partnership between area artists, local farmers markets, LandArt Events and the Brandywine Conservancy, Palette to Palate’s goal is to bring awareness through art to the incredible resources of open space and sustainable agriculture in our region. The event will feature more than 250 original works of art by Mid-Atlantic artists and local chefs creating delicious small plates inspired by ingredients from area farms and farmers markets. A portion of all proceeds go to support the conservation efforts of the Brandywine Conservancy.
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| FALL FAMILY FUN
Newlin Grist Mill Fall Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 5th
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
219 Cheyney Rd., Glen Mills
Artisans demonstrate a variety of Colonial trades, hay rides, pumpkin painting and games.
Details
Radnor Fall Harvest/Great Pumpkin Patch
Sunday, October 6th
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The Willows
490 Darby-Paoli Rd., Radnor
Tractor and pony rides, pumpkin patches and painting, hayrides, music and moon bounces.
Details
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| Oktoberfest Main Line
Saturday, October 12th
12:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Good Samaritan Field
212 West Lancaster Avenue, Paoli
Enjoy a family-friendly Oktoberfest with games, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and bouncy-houses for the kids, plus live music, dancing, German food, and a great beer selection for kids-at-heart.Rain or shine! 100% of the proceeds go directly to charitable projects.
Details
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| 168th St. David's Country Fair & Live Auction
Saturday, October 5th
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
763 South Valley Forge Rd, Wayne
The St. David’s 168th Country Fair & Live Auction is the longest-running church fair in the nation. Come for a day of family fun and remarkable treasures. Get there early for great finds in the Fleas, Books and Second Hand Rose stalls and stay for the great food with everything from burgers and chili to omelets. The midway has great old-fashioned fun for the kids including the St. David’s Train Ride through the fairgrounds!
Details
Pumpkin Days
Saturday, October 12th and Sunday, October 13th
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road, Media
Make your own scarecrow, take a hayride, jump into inflatable fun from BOING! with a slide, obstacle course and moon bounce. With crafts, games, face painting, family photo ops galore – and of course, PUMPKINS!
Special attractions include wildlife demonstrations, free live entertainment, and education stations.
Details
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MemBREWfest at Historic Yellow Springs
Sunday, October 13th
Noon – 5:00 PM
1701 Art School Road, Chester Springs
An afternoon of craft beer, spirits and food tasting, with live music in the courtyard (weather permitting). Each ticket comes with a membership to Historic Yellow Springs, offering savings on event tickets, classes at the Chester Springs Studio, Summer Camps, and discounts at participating businesses in the community. Free tasting glass to the first 250 people through the door. Contact: Jess Presley jpresley@yellowsprings.org 610.827.7414 Tickets: $50 Non-members $25 Members
Details
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| Conshohocken Beer Festival
Saturday, October 12th
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
A. A. Garthwaite Field, Conshohocken
Benefits the Conshohocken Plymouth Whitemarsh Rotary.
Details
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| Barks and Brew
Saturday, October 19th
Noon–5:00 PM
The Brandywine River Museum of Art
1 Hoffman's Mill Road, Chadds Ford
Dust off your lederhosen and beer steins and head to the Brandywine for an outdoor Oktoberfest celebration in the Museum’s courtyard. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Details
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| FEEL GOOD FALL FUN
Wings and Wheels: Steering Women to Success
Friday, October 11th
6:00 PM -10:00 PM
American Helicopter Museum
West Chester
Live music from The Blue Sky Band, beer from Victory Brewing Company, food by The Meat House, a silent auction, car corral, and Porsche and Maserati test-drives. Since 1997, Wings for Success has helped nearly 12,000 women, and its actions are guided by an ongoing commitment to assist women in need by providing guidance, support, and work-appropriate apparel.
Details
T&E Care Fall Fest: An Evening Under the Stars
Saturday, November 9th
6:30 PM -11:00 PM
St. Davids Golf Club
Just a reminder to save the date for the very important annual fundraiser.
Details
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| Dan’s Down Dog & Dash - Yoga & 5k Run
Saturday, October 19th
St. Katharine of Siena
Downtown Wayne
This race honors Dan Schultz, whose fight against cancer and approach to life emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with a wonderful community, remaining mentally fit and maintaining physical activity. Proceeds from this event will benefit For Pete’s Sake, the Schultz Kids Education Fund, as well as other organizations and causes.
Details
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| 47th Annual Marshalton Triathlon
Sunday, October 6th
Marshalton
Bike, canoe and pace-walk at this family-friendly event with music, food and drink. Benefits West Bradford Fire Co.
Details
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| IN THE COMMUNITY
Keeping Kids Safe Project
Saturday, October 5th
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Rafferty Subaru
4700 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
This free community safety awareness fair will have lots of information, activities and services for families! Along with local law enforcement and community organizations, the Keeping Kids Safe Project will be providing FBI quality digital fingerprint records for children.
Details
VFES Resource Fair
Thursday, October 10th
6:00 PM -8:00 PM
Activities Center
1777 N. Valley Road, Malvern
Valley Forge Educational Services’ resource fair brings together the area’s best programs and services for transition-age youth and adults with special needs and their families. This event is free and open to the community.
Details
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Whether buying or selling, let Briggs Auction be your one source solution with bi-weekly discovery auctions and monthly fine estate/special collection auctions in our spacious showroom; free, in-home evaluations; and Estate appraisal services and Real Estate auctions.
See our website for up-to-the minute auction information and thousands of photos, then call or email to get started.
610.566.3138
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This 4-month transformation started with a Lean & Mean Contest! The next contest starts October 14. Spots fill quickly!
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George will be signing & discussing his book at:
Community Arts Center
Wallingford - October 9th
Pennsylvania Distillery
Malvern - October 27th
More info at
singularitynovel.com
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The VFES resource fair is for caregivers of transition-age youth and adults with special needs.
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Discover the Excellence of a Friends' Central Education!
Visit Friends' Central's All-School Fall Open House on Monday, October 14 at 9:30 am to see what the right culture and curriculum can do for your child.
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Shipley Shops
October 24-26
Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Saturday (Fall Festival)
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Yarnall Gym, The Shipley School
This remarkable Main Line event is a 59-year-old tradition that brings together over 40 premier retailers from throughout the United States, attracting customers from the Main Line community and beyond. Open to the public! Mention MainLine Neighbors at the door for free admission!
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Join DMAX on October 10 at The Shipley School for a fun night of food, drinks, silent auction, and Conversations That Connect all in support of DMAX Clubs.
For sponsorship and tickets, visit
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Celebrating Clay
Exhibition and Sale
October 5 - 19
Wed thru Fri 1 - 7 PM
Sat & Sun 12 - 5 PM
1685 Art School Road
Chester Springs
Yellowsprings.org
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Starting Friday
DOWNTON ABBEY
JUDY
LINDA RONSTAD: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE
WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?
brynmawrfilm.org
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7th Annual Night of Hope
Help Hope Live Charity Gala
Friday, October 25th
6 PM to 10 PM
The Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr
Celebrate another impactful year for our nonprofit with delicious food, an open bar, auction, our signature Wine Pull, and the 2019 Help Hope Live Awards.
All proceeds from our signature fundraising event benefit our work and mission to support community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical and related expenses due to cell and organ transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses.
Founded in 1983 by a Main Line heart transplant surgeon and his wife, a nurse, Help Hope Live puts healing and community support within reach for thousands of families, both on the Main Line and across the country, facing a medical crisis that can't cover the out-of-pocket costs on their own.
helphopelive.org
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