It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Newtown Square Historical Society Paper Mill House Museum in Newtown, PA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Newtown, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“We have been very pleased with Always Best Care Agency for the past year. Sue has”
“This is a 5 star home care company. Our aide Seth is very professional and”
“We have had wonderful aides. Agency has been responsive to our needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most caring agency around. My husband needs total”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us”
“Alway Best Care is always best!”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My”
“I am a current client of this provider We used Always Best Care for my mother.”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes”
“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring”
“I am a current client of this provider I have a very good providers from this”
“We have been very pleased with Always Best Care Agency for the past year. Sue has helped us with finding the perfect match for our mother’s needs. The caregivers that they screen are kind and capable, very professional, my mother glows with contentment when they arrive which puts us at ease as a family.”
“This is a 5 star home care company. Our aide Seth is very professional and caring. She does a great job making my life much easier. I would recommend Always Best Care Bristol to anyone.”
“We have had wonderful aides. Agency has been responsive to our needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most caring agency around. My husband needs total care and the agency does a perfect job supplying us with the right caregivers.”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I have spoken to at the agency have been extremely helpful but more importantly kind and understanding. I have gotten quick responses to any inquiries I have made. The caregiver has been more than flexible and provides reliable help for my mother. I am feeling confident my mother is getting quality care to help her stay in her home.”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us longer than we did. This was very sudden and in Gods hands I guess. Her last meal was the pasta you made. We tried it too. It was excellent. So you provided her favorite meal. Thank you for that. We would recommend you to anyone who is in need of such services. Be well.”
“Alway Best Care is always best!”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”
“I am a current client of this provider We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back! ????”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my inquiries were satisfyingly met. ????”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I am a current client of this provider I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Helen Randle Park in Newtown, PA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local La Stalla or visit Old Newtown Road Bridge, Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Newtown, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Newtown, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Newtown, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Organized by the Newtown Business Association, the inaugural event features 30 participating eateries throughout the Greater Newtown area.NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Business Association (NBA) will debut its first-ever NBA Restaurant Week October 12–18, inviting residents and visitors to explore the area's dining scene while supporting local businesses.Presented by Salucca LLC, the weeklong event features 30 participating eateries, including restaurants, cafés, bakeries and beverage destinations, offering pri...
NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Business Association (NBA) will debut its first-ever NBA Restaurant Week October 12–18, inviting residents and visitors to explore the area's dining scene while supporting local businesses.
Presented by Salucca LLC, the weeklong event features 30 participating eateries, including restaurants, cafés, bakeries and beverage destinations, offering prix fixe options, special menus and featured offerings.
From breakfast, coffee and casual bites to wine, craft beverages, memorable dinners and desserts, there are plenty of ways to revisit a favorite or discover something new, said event organizers.
"We wanted Restaurant Week to celebrate the incredible variety of dining experiences we have right here in our area," says Madeline Jones, NBA Board Member and NBA Restaurant Week Chair. "There are so many wonderful restaurants throughout the Bucks County community. It's a great opportunity to revisit a place you already love and discover completely new dining experiences."
Participants include Harvest Seasonal Grill, La Grange French Steakhouse, Meglio's, Mamie Colette, Crossing Vineyards, Newtown Brewing Co., and many more.
The Pineville Tavern. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
For Renae Kulak, NBA Board Member and NBA Restaurant Week Co-Chair, the event also celebrates the people behind the local dining scene.
"Our restaurants are such an important part of what makes this area special," Kulak says. "We hope people will make a week of it, meet friends for breakfast or lunch, plan a date night, grab a cocktail or dessert and venture beyond their usual favorites."
Specials, participating days and service hours vary by location. Some offerings are available only on select days or require dine-in service, and reservations may be required. Menus are subject to availability. Guests should review each location's details before visiting.
To learn more about NBA Restaurant Week, see the full list of participants and sponsors, and explore the online "Menu of Menus," click here. Follow along and share: NBA Restaurant Week FB Event
The patio at the Blue Point Grill in Newtown.
P.J. Whelihan's Pub & Restaurant in Newtown. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA —Newtown Borough announced on Wednesday the appointment of a new administrative manager.Following a months-long search and a unanimous vote by council, Mayor Tara Grunde McLaughlin swore in Kellie Frain as the town’s second borough manager.Frain replaces Greg Totaro, who retired from the position last spring, two years after being hired as the town’s first borough manager“We have found a wonderful candidate in Kellie Frain. Kellie is a Bucks County native who knows our communit...
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA —Newtown Borough announced on Wednesday the appointment of a new administrative manager.
Following a months-long search and a unanimous vote by council, Mayor Tara Grunde McLaughlin swore in Kellie Frain as the town’s second borough manager.
Frain replaces Greg Totaro, who retired from the position last spring, two years after being hired as the town’s first borough manager
“We have found a wonderful candidate in Kellie Frain. Kellie is a Bucks County native who knows our community well and brings valuable municipal experience to the position,” said Council President Emily Heinz, in announcing Frain’s appointment.
“She brings experience in public communications, grants and municipal administration along with a Master’s degree in public administration," said Heinz. “And just as importantly, Kellie has demonstrated a genuine commitment to listening to residents and keeping the community informed.”
Frain comes to the borough from Lower Makefield, where she has worked closely with residents, staff, and the township manager on a wide range of municipal issues as a management analyst/public information officer.
Kellie Frain of Lower Makefield with her parents. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
A Pennsbury graduate and lifelong resident of Lower Makefield, Frain earned her Master’s degree in public administration in 2024 from Long Island University.
“I’m excited. I’m honored to be Newtown Borough’s manager,” said Frain. “Thank you to council for this opportunity. I understand that with this position comes a great deal of responsibility and I do not take that lightly. Thank you to the residents for trusting me and welcoming me into your community. It is a privilege to stand here before you today.”
She continued, “I am a local. I grew up a couple miles away in Lower Makefield, and small-town Pennsylvania means a great deal to me. I have a true and vested interest of the success of this borough, and I’m very excited to see how this story unfolds.”
Frain's appointment followed a two-month-long search for a new borough manager. Over the summer, the council retained the nonprofit Meyner Center to assist with the search for a new manager. The job was posted publicly in August.
According to the posting, the new manager will be paid between $120,000 and $160,000 to manage the borough's day-to-day operations.
NEWTOWN, PA — "Sculpted Form," a solo retrospective celebrating the extraordinary career of master ceramicist Renzo Faggioli, is on view through October 25 at the ArtWRKD gallery on South State Street.Now 86, Faggioli has spent more than five decades shaping clay, teaching generations of artists, and building a body of work that moves fluidly between vessel, sculpture, figure, function, and form. "Sculpted Form" brings together work from across his long career, offering a rare opportunity to experience the ev...
NEWTOWN, PA — "Sculpted Form," a solo retrospective celebrating the extraordinary career of master ceramicist Renzo Faggioli, is on view through October 25 at the ArtWRKD gallery on South State Street.
Now 86, Faggioli has spent more than five decades shaping clay, teaching generations of artists, and building a body of work that moves fluidly between vessel, sculpture, figure, function, and form. "Sculpted Form" brings together work from across his long career, offering a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of an artist whose practice has remained grounded in craftsmanship while continually pushing beyond the purely utilitarian.
Born and raised near Florence in Montelupo, Italy, Faggioli grew up surrounded by the ceramic traditions of Tuscany. He began his formal ceramic training at the Scuola Statale Ceramica della Robbia in Florence, later pursuing advanced studies in the United States at Alfred University and Carnegie Mellon University.
His Italian upbringing remained a fundamental influence throughout his career. The terracotta traditions of the Etruscans, the Renaissance works of Donatello and the Della Robbia family, architecture, nature, geometry, and the work of modern sculptors all became part of his visual vocabulary.
In a 2006 issue of "Ceramics Monthly," Faggioli described the intention behind his work. “In my work I try to transcend the purely utilitarian and demonstrate characteristics of sculptural and tactile elegance," he told the magazine.
His work does exactly that. Bowls, vessels, monumental platters, figures, animals, fruits, and sculptural forms become opportunities to explore surface, volume, line, texture, proportion, and the physical presence of clay.
For Faggioli, beauty has never been incidental. It is part of the discipline.
Renzo Faggioli has spent more than five decades shaping clay, teaching generations of artists, and building a body of work that moves fluidly between vessel, sculpture, figure, function, and form.
“My main inspiration has always been nature,” he reflected in an interview with Moravian University Magazine. “I treat the form as an aspect of beauty — I like to make things pretty, done well.”
That attention to form is equally informed by his early interest in architecture. Geometric structure repeatedly appears throughout his work, even within organic subjects such as birds, animals, fruit, and the human figure. Form and negative space become active partners, giving his ceramics a distinctly sculptural quality.
Faggioli has been an important presence in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley arts community since arriving from Italy. He taught ceramics at The Baum School of Art in Allentown, served for decades as Ceramist-in-Residence and a member of the art faculty at Moravian University in Bethlehem, and was a guest instructor at the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus.
His influence extends far beyond the objects he has produced. Generations of students and protégés have learned from him, and teaching became inseparable from his studio practice.
“My theory is I always share everything I know with the students because that’s the only way I can get something back,” Faggioli once explained. “I’m pretty much an open book. I have no secrets with the students. Whatever I know, I pass it on.”
His work has been exhibited extensively throughout the eastern United States and Europe, including solo exhibitions at the Allentown Art Museum, The Baum School of Art, Holland Art House Gallery in West Chester, and the former Hoopla Gallery in Bethlehem.
Faggioli also represented the United States in the Eighth Biennale Internationale de Céramique d’Art in Vallauris, France, and in 2004 received the Allentown Arts Ovation Award for the Visual Arts, recognizing his contribution to the region's cultural landscape.
Yet despite the exhibitions, awards, teaching appointments, and decades of professional recognition, Faggioli's relationship with clay remains strikingly elemental.
Asked whether he ever tired of working on the potter's wheel, he responded, “No, are you tired of breathing?”
For Faggioli, making is not simply a profession. It is a way of being.
Sculpted Form honors that lifetime of making.
"The retrospective reflects an artist whose practice sits comfortably between fine art and craft without requiring a distinction between the two," said ArtWRKD founder Ashara Shapiro. "A platter may function as an object while simultaneously becoming landscape. A vessel may begin on the wheel and evolve into sculpture. Texture, glaze, edge, void, weight, and gesture transform familiar ceramic forms into objects meant to be considered from every angle."
At a time when renewed attention is being given to apprenticeship, material knowledge, handmade objects, and the transmission of artistic practice between generations, Faggioli's career offers an important reminder of what mastery means: not simply technical proficiency, but a lifetime of curiosity, repetition, experimentation, generosity, and sustained engagement with one's material.
Through "Sculpted Form," ArtWRKD celebrates not only the remarkable work of Renzo Faggioli, but the legacy of an artist who has spent more than half a century making, teaching, sharing, and expanding the language of clay. ArtWRKD founder Ashara Shapiro and Renzo Faggioli have the distinct pleasure of also being family.
ArtWRKD is located at 128 South State Street, Newtown. For information, including gallery hours, click here.
A New Jersey-based early childhood education center is proposing to convert the former Rite Aid store at Goodnoe Corner into a school.NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A New Jersey-based school is proposing to turn a former drugstore in Newtown into an early childhood learning center, complete with an outdoor saltwater pool and play area.Those plans, however, may face an uphill battle with several township supervisors already raising concern over the idea of locating a school in the parking lot of a busy shopping center.Eri...
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A New Jersey-based school is proposing to turn a former drugstore in Newtown into an early childhood learning center, complete with an outdoor saltwater pool and play area.
Those plans, however, may face an uphill battle with several township supervisors already raising concern over the idea of locating a school in the parking lot of a busy shopping center.
Erica Amon, the vice president of development for Apple Montessori Schools, outlined sketch plans for the project at the August meeting of the board of supervisors.
Apple is proposing to open a 142-student, seven-classroom school inside the former Rite Aid store at the Goodnoe Corner Shopping Center on North Sycamore Street. The store has been closed since August 2025.
Apple’s plan includes the renovation of the nearly 10,000 square foot building into an infant to kindergarten early childhood learning center and the conversion of the east side parking area into an enclosed play area with cedar wood play structures and a salt water pool for exclusive use by the school strictly for swimming lessons.
The school had originally envisioned a 152-student school, but scaled that back after hearing planning commission concerns over the intensity of the use and parking impact.
The school also revised its plans to include angled parking spaces along the western side of the building, the development of a new traffic circulation plan to improve flow around the proposed school, and the removal of an existing drive-through used by the pharmacy.
The parking area shown at left would be turned into a fenced-in play area and saltwater pool. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Chris Gardyasz, representing ShopOne, the owner of the shopping center, told the supervisors that after considering several potential tenants, ShopOne felt the Apple School would be a good fit at the shopping center, which is anchored by the Green Parrot and Firstrust Bank.
“We felt given the complexity of the parking lot, this is a nice fit,” he said, calling it “a strong opportunity for the center.”
Apple, which has been in business for 50 years, operates 22 early childhood centers in New Jersey and will open its first Pennsylvania location this September in Warrington at the Shops at Valley Square. The school’s mission is to “enrich and inspire children to reach their fullest potential as kind, independent, confident, and curious individuals, for a lifetime of happiness and success.”
“We believe the adaptive reuse of the vacant Rite Aid is perfect for us,” Amon told the supervisors, explaining that Apple likes to locate its schools at shopping centers. “We are also a permitted conditional use under township ordinances.”
The Apple school would open daily at 7 a.m. with a staggered drop-off from 7 until the school day begins at 9 a.m. The building closes at 6:30 p.m. with a staggered pickup between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
The school would have a secured entry area and every child on site would be professionally supervised at all times, said Amon.
Amon said the use would be complementary to the center, with school hours from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, with the school closing down just as the restaurants at the center are starting to get busy. The school is also closed on the weekend, a typically high-demand time for restaurant use.
“We are a weekday-only, daytime-only operation at a shopping center that has several restaurants that are heavy demand weekend users,” she said.
Citing parking study numbers, Amon said at 3:30 p.m. during its peak overlap, the school’s demand would be 29 spaces. By 5 p.m., with the restaurants building in their usage, the school’s demand would drop to 13 spaces, and by 6:30 p.m., as restaurants approach peak demand, the school would require no spaces.
“We are a daytime-only use operation in a shopping center with heavy evening and weekend demand users. We have no evening, no weekend, no nighttime hours. Our use complements the existing shopping center tenants,” said Amon.
After hearing the plan, Supervisor Phil Calabro questioned the idea of locating a school in an already problematic parking lot.
“This parking lot is notoriously busy at all times. Whether you’re there at 8 a.m., noon, or dinner time, this is a dangerous parking lot for adults,” he said. “You can’t say with 100 percent certainty that none of these kids will escape and go running into that parking lot. This particular parking lot is a dangerous place for 142 kids, plus parents, plus workers to be running rampant.”
Amon responded, “We have 2,000 children in our program and safety is 100 percent a priority."
At one point, Supervisor Elen Snyder asked school leaders whether they had looked into the Newtown Business Commons where a new overlay district could better accommodate their needs.
“We changed zoning there so places like yours could go in without asking for variances and have a very easy time instead of picking this very difficult spot,” she said.
School officials will next take their plans back to the township’s planning commission for continued review. A conditional use hearing is tentatively scheduled for early September before the board of supervisors.
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The Christou family said they will continue to operate Ardana Food and Drink and KC Prime in Warrington.NEWTOWN, PA - The Christou family, which has owned and operated Ardana Food and Drink in Newtown for the past three and a half years, announced on Wednesday that it is selling its space at the Village at Newtown to the New Jersey-based LaScala Restaurant Group.“After three and a half incredible years, we have made the bittersweet decision to pass the torch at our Newtown location,” the family posted. “We&r...
NEWTOWN, PA - The Christou family, which has owned and operated Ardana Food and Drink in Newtown for the past three and a half years, announced on Wednesday that it is selling its space at the Village at Newtown to the New Jersey-based LaScala Restaurant Group.
“After three and a half incredible years, we have made the bittersweet decision to pass the torch at our Newtown location,” the family posted. “We’re pleased to share that we have finalized an agreement to sell the restaurant space to LaScala Restaurant Group of Marlton, N.J., with the transition taking place this fall.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said the Christou family. “Since opening our doors, it has been our privilege to serve the Newtown community. We’ve had the honor of being part of so many celebrations, family dinners, and everyday moments shared around our tables. We are sincerely grateful to every guest who chose to dine with us, supported our team, and helped to make this restaurant what it is today.”
According to the Christou family, the LaScala Restaurant Group has offered positions to Ardana’s current team members.
“We are hopeful that all the familiar faces who have made you feel at home in our restaurant will continue doing what they do best, providing the warm hospitality and exceptional service you have come to know and love," the family said.
“We’re confident that LaScala Restaurant Group will build upon the foundation we’ve established here, and we know this community will continue to be well cared for.”
While Ardana Food and Drink will close in Newtown, the family will continue to operate Ardana Food and Drink and KC Prime Steakhouse in Warrington.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for welcoming us into your community and supporting our family for the past three and a half years,” the family said. “It has truly been an honor to serve you, and we will always be grateful for the memories we’ve shared.”
The news is already hitting Ardana patrons hard in Newtown.
"So sad to hear this news," wrote one customer. "Ardana in Newtown was one of my fave local restaurants. Thank you for your wonderful food and service, and for being the venue for one of my birthday celebrations. You will be missed."
Another customer wrote,"Thankful that we enjoyed wonderful meals in Newtown, but we will continue to enjoy everything in Warrington now."
The LaScala Restaurant Group has not yet announced which of its six restaurant brands would be coming to Newtown.
The award-winning group operates six different concepts in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey — LaScala's Fire, LaScala's Beach House, LaScala's Birra, Lorenzo Pizza & Steaks, The Chicken or the Egg, and LaScala's Pronto.
Read More About The LaScala Restaurant Group And Its Six Brands By Clicking Here.
The business was founded in 1991 by Rob LaScala whose culinary vision was inspired by his grandparents, Francesco and Tommasina Rocchino, who left Calabria, Italy, for Philadelphia in 1920.
The couple worked incredibly hard, raised a large family, loved their South Philadelphia neighborhood deeply, and never hesitated to lend a hand to fellow immigrants, especially during the war.
Over time, they built two successful businesses — Rocchino & Sons, a corner deli and grocery store legendary for Francesco's fresh pastas and sandwiches — and a construction company through which Tommasina built many of the neighborhood’s row houses with great attention to detail and quality.
“My grandparents and their beautiful daughter Rosemary LaScala, my mother, are my inspiration every day. I honor their passion, their integrity, and their drive in all I do," said Rob LaScala.
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