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 the historic Newtown Square Historical Society & Paper Mill House Museum 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.
“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”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My”
“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”
“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 provides excellent personal service for my Mom. They are always in contact”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision”
“Always Best Care has been tremendous. The caregivers are well trained and very considerate. Thanks”
“Always Best is truly a company that distinguishes itself from the other companies in its”
“Love what I heard about the company. Champion Care is important for seniors.”
“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”
“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”
“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 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!”
“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 provides excellent personal service for my Mom. They are always in contact about changes or concerns. They truly do care and it shows. They live the Always Best Care name every day. I would recommend them for sure.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”
“Always Best Care has been tremendous. The caregivers are well trained and very considerate. Thanks to my infirmity, I have unique care needs but ABC has been able to provide that care and even go above and beyond in their efforts to care for me. I don’t know what I would do without them. If you’re in need of care, this is the agency to call.”
“Always Best is truly a company that distinguishes itself from the other companies in its personal attention to make the client totally satisfied. Excellent communication is another reason you feel so secure. I never had a moment of frustration or worry. I can't recommend David and his staff enough!!! Karen in Plymouth Meeting”
“Love what I heard about the company. Champion Care is important for seniors.”
“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.”
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 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 Vecchia Osteria or visit Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 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.
Request More Information
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.
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard at 12 Swamp Road in Newtown will welcome the first day of spring by giving away a tasty treat on Tuesday, March 19.The Bucks County-based iconic frozen treats destination — with locations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey — is offering a free six-ounce Italian Ice giveaway in the available flavor of their choice, said Mitchell Cove, who has owned and operated the Newtown franchise since 1994."We're going to welcome spring with a free cup ...
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard at 12 Swamp Road in Newtown will welcome the first day of spring by giving away a tasty treat on Tuesday, March 19.
The Bucks County-based iconic frozen treats destination — with locations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey — is offering a free six-ounce Italian Ice giveaway in the available flavor of their choice, said Mitchell Cove, who has owned and operated the Newtown franchise since 1994.
"We're going to welcome spring with a free cup of water ice to anyone who shows up," said Cove. "Plus we will also have all of other featured products - frozen custards, gelatis, concretes and blenders."
With the giveaway on Tuesday, Cove said Rita's will also be rolling out a new flavor: Sour Patch Kids Watermelon, a burst of tangy and tart watermelon that will be featured as an Italian Ice, in a gelati and a topping on Rita's creamy vanilla frozen custard. It will also be offered as an Ice Blender. The flavor will only be offered for a limited time only.
On hand to help Newtown celebrate the first day of spring will be Rita’s reigning “World’s Fastest Scooper,” Brandon Cove, a Council Rock South graduate and son of franchise owner Mitchell Cove.
In 2019, at Rita’s annual Convention in Atlantic City, Brandon won the Golden Scooper Award as the fastest water ice scooper in the company. Since the company hasn't held a convention since then due to COVID, he has continued to hold the designation.
"He's planning on bringing his Golden Scooper Award to the store on Tuesday to show it off," said his dad. "Rita's has always been part of our family. My kids were raised in the business. They all worked in the business. Their friends worked at the business. It's a great experience for a young person as a first job in the working world."
Brandon worked his way up through the company and eventually became a manager. Today, he works as a director for a company that provides technology solutions for major companies.
Cove bought into the franchise shortly after it was launched 40 years ago. Today he operates two stores in Newtown and in Rockledge. This will be his 34th season as the owner of the Newtown franchise.
According to Cove, Rita’s signature Italian Ice is made fresh daily on-site and available in a rotating daily selection from more than 75 flavors. Other menu items at Rita’s include creamy frozen custard, signature gelati, concretes, frozen coffee, Rita’s Blenders, milkshakes, and more.
"We make everything fresh on premises with quality ingredients. Some of our flavors have fruit in them. We have our cream ices, which are smoother than our regular ices," said Cove. "And our custard is probably the best out there."
According to Cove, mango is the franchise's number one flavor across the nation. Cherry comes in a distant second, he said. "And believe it or not, cotton candy water ice is very popular. Our wild black cherry is awesome. Swedish Fish is another popular seller. And at certain locations, including Newtown, mint chocolate chip is popular. Blue raspberry is another popular flavor."
Rita's was founded 40 years ago by Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter who opened a small Italian Ice business on his front porch in Bensalem. That first shop, named after his wife, Rita, was created to offer the best-tasting, highest-quality Italian Ice. Today, Rita’s is in more than 30 states, serving up ice, custard, and happiness to millions of loyal fans.
According to Cove, the chain will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in May with special promotions. It will also be introducing two new flavors later this year - Kool Aid Fruit Punch and Mini Nerds Grape.
The Newtown store is open Monday to Sunday from 12 to 9 p.m.
Newtown-based CenTrak transforms healthcare operations with new ConnectRT software platform.Patch Staff|Updated Mon, Mar 18, 2024 at 2:25 am ETNEWTOWN, PA — CenTrak, a leader in real-time location technology solutions, has announced its latest breakthrough – the industry’s first scalable Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Multi-Mode Platform.The new Real-Time Location System (RTLS) solution, crafted to cater to the diverse needs of healthcare organizations, redefines industry standards by offering loca...
Patch Staff
|Updated Mon, Mar 18, 2024 at 2:25 am ET
NEWTOWN, PA — CenTrak, a leader in real-time location technology solutions, has announced its latest breakthrough – the industry’s first scalable Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Multi-Mode Platform.
The new Real-Time Location System (RTLS) solution, crafted to cater to the diverse needs of healthcare organizations, redefines industry standards by offering location data capabilities and a cost-effective deployment model.
Following the recent release of Connect RT, CenTrak’s unified cloud-based software platform, the company continues to extend its suite of offerings to tackle the ongoing challenges pervasive in the healthcare industry.
CenTrak’s BLE Multi-Mode Platform, the first of its kind in the market, provides hybrid architecture that effortlessly transitions between BLE and all CenTrak Clinical-Grade Locating (CGL) environments. This interoperability empowers customers to leverage mixed RTLS infrastructure within a single building or across an entire hospital campus to optimally balance affordability and precision according to department need. By utilizing existing BLE-enabled hospital networks and infrastructure, this integration technology accelerates the adoption of location-based services with tag and badge only deployments for use-cases such as staff duress, asset tracking, and more.
The platform’s flagship product, CenTrak’s redesigned RTLS badge, supplies healthcare providers a quick, cost-effective entry point solution for their RTLS journey. The badge boasts enhanced durability (IP67 rating), extended battery life, easy over-the-air maintenance, and user notifications such as diagnostic LEDs and an audible buzzer. Each badge provides a dedicated emergency duress button with a recessed design to avoid false alerts, and two other configurable buttons to support custom workflows.
“The healthcare industry acknowledges the value of location data and the resulting ROI,” said Crystal Ryan, chief commercial officer at CenTrak. “This recognition has prompted key decision-makers to invest in the transformative benefits that RTLS can deliver. Our groundbreaking BLE Multi-Mode Platform marks a substantial advancement in RTLS technology, solidifying our commitment to improving healthcare delivery with top-tier solutions and thoughtfully driving innovation.”
Joining the Connect RT suite of software offerings, Duress RT emerges as the next cloud-enabled, SaaS solution. Duress RT leverages the architecture from the BLE Multi-Mode Platform to economically provide enterprise-wide, rapid response to staff duress and life safety events in a healthcare environment.
CenTrak’s end-to-end innovations for Staff Duress include:
“Our team proudly delivers yet another pivotal milestone in the company’s relentless pursuit ofunprecedented innovation to integrate technology that supports healthcare professionals and further develops the modern connected hospital,” said Andrew Robinson, president and CEO at CenTrak. “With CenTrak, healthcare organizations worldwide can gain access to a versatile, scalable, and cost-effective solution for elevating staff safety and optimizing patient care.”
For more information or to request a demo, visit centrak.com.
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Business Association at its January meeting announced its Business of the Year Award recipient and recognized several of its members with special awards for their community service, humanitarianism, and distinguished service.Dave Marcolla, the president of the NBA and owner of Dave Marcolla Realty, presented the awards during the organization's monthly breakfast meeting held inside the historic Newtown Theatre.Capital Health received the NBA's "Business Of The Year" award for 20...
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Business Association at its January meeting announced its Business of the Year Award recipient and recognized several of its members with special awards for their community service, humanitarianism, and distinguished service.
Dave Marcolla, the president of the NBA and owner of Dave Marcolla Realty, presented the awards during the organization's monthly breakfast meeting held inside the historic Newtown Theatre.
Capital Health received the NBA's "Business Of The Year" award for 2023. Past recipients have included The Temperance House, McCaffrey's Market, Playa Bowls, and the Dave Marcolla Group.
The Business of the Year Award is given annually by the NBA to an "exemplary" NBA-member business for helping to fulfill the NBA's mission of promoting Newtown as a great place to live, shop, and work.
"Capital Health has stepped up and become a major supporter of our events the past few years, including as a major sponsor of Welcome Day. And each year they asked how they can get more involved," said Marcolla. "They have also been helpful to us in providing speakers for our meetings. We felt they deserved this recognition."
The next award - the NBA's Humanitarian Award - went to Priya Trivdi, the owner of Guru's Fine Indian Restaurant on Sycamore Street for everything she has done for the community. Trivdi was unable to attend. She closed her restaurant earlier this year to travel to India to finalize an adoption she has been working on for years.
Priya Trivdi with the two girls she is working to adopt in India.
The Humanitarian Award honors an individual or group that embodies a selfless commitment to serve others with a generosity of spirit and heroic dedication to help strengthen and improve Newtown and the surrounding area.
"Priya is a longtime member of the Newtown Business Association and the owner of Guru's Fine Indian Cuisine, which has hosted numerous events for us and has been a very involved member," said Marcolla.
Outside of her work with the NBA, Marcolla said Priya also runs a charity - Guru's Guardian Angels - dedicated to saving street dogs across the planet. The nonprofit's goal is to save and improve the lives of stray animals around the world by fostering unity, establishing shelters, and providing essential care.
"She donates a significant amount of money that she makes at the restaurant to that cause. In our opinion, she's a true humanitarian," said Marcolla.
The next award - the President's Award - went to Steve Sabel, the owner of the Payroll Factory. Sabel served as a board member in 2023 and chaired the NBA's breakfast meetings for the past two years.
The award recognizes an NBA member whose dedicated leadership and outstanding contributions exemplify the spirit of giving back to the community by making the services of his business available to support charitable and nonprofit endeavors.
NBA President Dave Marcolla presents the President's Award to Steve Sabel.
"Steve has been exceptional," said Marcolla. "In addition to the support he gives to the NBA, as the meeting chair in 2023 he had all of our events planned a year ahead, which had never been done before. It shows his commitment to putting in the time to make our events the best they can be. That was a standout effort on his part and deserved this recognition."
The NBA's Unsung Hero Award was presented posthumously to the late Riki Brennan, the former and beloved office manager at the Newtown Veterinary Hospital who passed away in December after a courageous fight with cancer.
On hand to accept the award in her memory were Dr. Timothy Ireland, the owner of Newtown Veterinary Hospital; Lisa Brzezicki, also from the Newtown Veterinary Hospital; and Bill Sheffer, former NBA president and a past Welcome Day chair.
"It's a sad day because we miss her so much," said Ireland. "For 24 years Riki worked for us. She was truly a caring and giving person. We were lucky for the time we had with her."
"She worked so hard. She did an amazing job with Welcome Day getting more than 100 booths set up," added Sheffer. "She knew where everyone was supposed to be. She had a long sheet of paper that she produced on her computer. If there was a problem, she'd very calmly change things around."
"She truly is an unsung hero," said longtime Welcome Day chair Fred Poritsky who worked closely with Riki on the Welcome Day committee. "She did everything she could do in a short lifetime to take care of her family and pets, which were the number one thing in her life. She was one of the sweetest people you would ever know and only did good things for others and never for herself."
The late Riki Brennan with Dr. Timothy Ireland at the Newtown Veterinary Hospital.
"Riki was an integral member and co-chair of our Welcome Day committee for multiple years," added Marcolla. "To have somebody like Riki behind the scenes ensured that it was a smooth and successful event for so many years. And through the Newtown Veterinary Hospital, Riki made helping animals the passion of her life."
The next award, the Distinguished Service Award, went to Matt Peters, the owner of Weed Man on North Sycamore Street.
The award is given to a member or nonmember who goes above and beyond for the business association. They not only fulfill the role they set out to do, whether as a volunteer, a committee chair, or a board member, they put in extra time to move the organization forward.
"Matt served as a board member of the NBA last year and was also chair of the Emerging Young Professionals organization and handled our social media for the association last year. He put in a ton of extra time that many of us couldn't. For that reason we felt he deserved the distinguished service award," said Marcolla.
From left are NBA award winners: Heather DiPrato, community service award; Matt Peters, distinguished service award; and Steve Sabel, president's award. (Photo by Jeff Werner)
And the NBA's Community Service Award was presented to Heather DiPrato, a board member, the marketing chair for the association, and the publisher of Newtown Neighbors and Yardley Living magazines.
"Heather has been involved in numerous community organizations in the area for years, including as a long-time member of the Newtown Business Association," said Marcolla. "We felt that her commitment to the community and the time she puts in giving back to these causes and to our organization made her a top candidate for our community service award."
The award recognizes a member whose dedicated commitment and meritorious service exemplify an outstanding contribution to the community through benevolent acts and dedication of significant volunteer hours.
The mission of the NBA is to promote Newtown as a great place to live, work, shop, and do business, thereby enhancing the community's economic vitality for member businesses through networking, education, community involvement, and coop advertising opportunities.
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — In just a few short days, Newtown and Yardley will again be enjoying one of the best hand-crafted gourmet water ices in Bucks County.On Saturday, March 16 at noon Jackie and Todd McGonigal will reopen their popular Ice House locations in Yardley Borough and Newtown Borough for another season of frozen treats.This year marks the second year for the Newtown store, which celebrated its grand opening in 2023 on North State Street, and the 30th anniversary of the Yardley store, which was founded three dec...
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — In just a few short days, Newtown and Yardley will again be enjoying one of the best hand-crafted gourmet water ices in Bucks County.
On Saturday, March 16 at noon Jackie and Todd McGonigal will reopen their popular Ice House locations in Yardley Borough and Newtown Borough for another season of frozen treats.
This year marks the second year for the Newtown store, which celebrated its grand opening in 2023 on North State Street, and the 30th anniversary of the Yardley store, which was founded three decades ago on South Main Street by Jackie's aunt and uncle, John and Susan Bissert.
The Ice House will mark its 30th anniversary this year in Yardley with the release of a commemorative anniversary t-shirt designed by a local artist.
“We're looking forward to being back at both locations and growing our following," said Jackie. "We can’t wait to see all of our customers again and welcome new customers to our stores."
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day weekend and its grand reopening, the Ice House will be featuring two new limited-time-only flavors - Irish Potato featuring coconut, cinnamon, and cream cheese flavorings and milk chocolate Guinness made with non-alcoholic Guinness Beer.
A soft-served mint green custard also will be available during March at the Yardley store.
Since its opening three decades ago, the Ice House has built a reputation for making and serving top-shelf, gourmet water ice made with premium, fresh, and creamy ingredients.
"We're always sourcing new flavors and ideas and coming up with new creations," said Jackie. "We just keep adding to our recipe book."
Both stores feature more than 160 unique rotating flavors, including several core offerings like orange creamsicle, cherry Bordeaux, chocolate chocolate chip, banana cream pie, cookies and cream, peanut butter cup, mint chocolate chip, strawberry lemonade, mango and more.
In addition to its wildly popular gourmet water ice, the Yardley Ice House will be serving its standard vanilla and chocolate custard, its Pineapple Dole Whip, and its new mint custard for March. Newtown will be offering vanilla and chocolate custard "on tap" and various "to-go" options from its front freezer.
Always experimenting with new flavors, the Ice House owners said they are working on several new flavors, including Macadamia Nut. They're also toying with the idea of a dill pickle flavor.
The McGonigal's will also be reaching out to local food and beverage establishments to create new limited-edition flavors. "We're going to mix some of our products and some of their products."
Among the new flavors is a Calm Waters Cold Brew Custard that will be sold as a "to go" item at the Newtown store. The new flavor comes courtesy of a partnership between the Newtown Ice House and Calm Waters Coffee on South State Street.
(Photo courtesy of the Newtown Ice House)
The Ice House owners said they will continue partnering this year with the nearby Newtown Theatre with cross-promotional offerings. Last year, the Ice House whipped up three different Marguerita flavors during Jimmy Buffet nights at the theatre. They also provided refreshing desserts during the theatre's annual Black and White Night.
John and Susan Bissert opened the Yardley Ice House three decades ago building it into a hugely successful seasonal business.
Under their ownership, Yardley Ice House won Best of Philly in 2003, 2012, 2013, and in 2016 when it graced the cover of Philadelphia Magazine as the best water ice in the Delaware Valley.
The Bisserts retired at the beginning of 2022 passing the reins of the business over to their niece, Jackie, and her husband, Todd, who have continued to improve and expand the business.
The Ice House will be open from 12 to 9 p.m. during the spring and until 10 p.m. in the summer. They will also be scheduling fundraising with local schools and organizations. Contact the Ice House for details.
For more information about daily flavors, visit newtownicehouse.com or check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Density, building size and traffic continue to be major sticking points with a proposal to redevelop the Corners at Newtown Place at South Sycamore Street and Richboro Road with a 120-unit Parking Core Apartment Building.The plan calls for the demolition of a series of stand alone commercial and office buildings built in the 1980s on Cambridge Lane and the construction of a three-story apartment building that would wrap around a multi-level interior parking garage.The new apartment building, which w...
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Density, building size and traffic continue to be major sticking points with a proposal to redevelop the Corners at Newtown Place at South Sycamore Street and Richboro Road with a 120-unit Parking Core Apartment Building.
The plan calls for the demolition of a series of stand alone commercial and office buildings built in the 1980s on Cambridge Lane and the construction of a three-story apartment building that would wrap around a multi-level interior parking garage.
The new apartment building, which would be marketed to young professionals and empty nesters, would extend for 300 feet along Sycamore Street and would include a vehicle access point to the interior garage.
Representatives from BET Investments, a real estate management and development company owned by Bruce Toll, attended the February planning commission meeting seeking input on architectural renderings for the building, but instead found themselves in a discussion over density and traffic.
This is one concept of how the proposed 300-foot-long Parking Core Apartment Building would look along South Sycamore Street.
After listening to a brief presentation about the building's proposed appearance, the planners said while they have no problem with plans to build apartments at the site, what is being proposed is too much for the site in terms of density and traffic.
The planners raised concern over the project, which proposes a building that is eight times the density allowed in the R2 zoning district and a building length that is two times greater then what’s permitted in the town commercial (TC) district.
BET's President Michael Markman pointed out that they had initially come in with a four story building with 160 units. After meeting with the township, it scaled its plan back to a three story building with 120 units and a core parking garage.
“We feel the property has the size to support this without looking overburdened,” Markman told the planners. “Right now the site is full of single story buildings that are spread out and antiquated. They are very hard to lease. They are not the kind of property people want to rent today.”
Rather than seeking zoning variances for the proposed project, BET is asking the township to consider a zoning amendment that would allow the building to be built in the Town Commercial zoning district. That would require all three municipalities that are part of the zoning jointure - Newtown Township, Wrightstown and Upper Makefield - to approve.
An historic stone house on the property would remain and become a focal point from Sycamore Street. (Photo by Jeff Werner)
According to the draft ordinance submitted by BET Investments, a new use - Parking Core Apartment Building - would be added to the zoning ordinance.
A Parking Core Apartment Building, as defined by the draft ordinance, is a building where individual apartments surround a central parking garage and feature a walkable oriented streetscape in keeping with a traditional village.
Planning chair Peggy Driscoll continued to voice concerns at the meeting about the density of the project, traffic impact, the size of the proposed structure and the challenge the developer will face in securing approvals from all three townships for its ordinance.
“I’d like to see something nice there, but it’s got to work,” said Driscoll, noting that there’s no room around the site to make meaningful roadway improvements to accommodate additional traffic. Plus, just a few blocks away in the borough, she said the Steeple View project will be adding traffic to the same general area.
“160 was unreal. 120 is still too much,” said Driscoll. “I think 60 apartments would work. It can be a beautiful thing. You can build something nice. It’s just too big. It’s just too much what you want to do.”
At one point during the meeting, the commission's attorney Jerry Schenkman asked, “How married are you to the core parking concept? It sounds like if it got smaller you might not need it. You might be able to separate the one large building into several smaller ones which would be more historically accurate.”
Schenkman, who also serves on the Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority, also noted that there are some limitations on available EDUs (Equivilent Dwelling Unit), a measurement used in allocating waste water capacity, which would be problematic for a larger development but not as challenging for a smaller scale project.
After listening to Driscoll's concerns and Schenkman's suggestions, Markman, a former planning commission member himself, said he's willing to work with the planning commission. “We’ve already reduced it once. We can certainly reduce it again. We will certainly consider it,” he said.
“We’re just trying to build something nice here,” he said. “I understand your concerns and we will definitely try to address them. We’re not trying to change the way of life or anything else.”
BET bought the property eight to nine years with plans to redevelop the land for a needed use.
“We bought this location because this is a tremendous location," said Markman. "It’s walkable to the borough. It’s walkable to shopping and great restaurants. And you have green space. You can’t beat the location.
“What we’re proposing looks a lot more like an historic district than these buildings. I got to tear this place down because it’s terrible,” he said of the existing conglomeration of one story retail and office structures.
The plan submitted by BET would include the construction of a roundabout at the Cambridge Lane entrance to the development off of Sycamore Street, the creation of a park-like setting and a walkable oriented streetscape. The plan would also preserve an existing stone structure, which would be enhanced by a landscaped garden area overlooking Sycamore Street.
One of the buildings that would be torn down to make way for the project.
The project does not include the strip center housing Jake's Eatery, Domino's Pizza, and the Citizens Bank on Richboro Road, which is also part of the Corners at Newtown Place and is owned by the developer. The project also does not include the 7-11 convenience store, which is under separate ownership.
267-812-5744
