By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of April Ziegler Photography, Bernadette Uzcategui Photography and Joe Craig Photography.
The Lockard Family Men: Fathers and Sons, Grandfathers, Cousins and Brothers all gather at a family wedding at the Cairnwood Mansion with bride Rhian White joining the generation.Photo courtesy of Joe Craig Photography
Men sometimes make the best cheerleaders. And I’m not talking about the buffed co-eds who put on polyester, sleek-fitting university uniforms and twirl their female counterparts in the air on the sidelines of college football and basketball games. I’m talking about dads.
When I played field hockey at Archbishop Carroll in the glory days of my high school years (we dominated the Catholic League from 1989-92), one of my favorite parts of my game-day routine was waiting for my parents to take their place along the sideline fence. I knew they were always coming to the games to cheer me on, but seeing them arrive just gave me a feeling of reassurance.
They would wave to me as I was stretching or doing a warm-up lap. I’d wave back, then go into my pregame zone and not look over till the game (usually ending in a win) was complete. Without fail, all the dads seemed to end up clumped together along that fence at Carroll, as some sort of patriarchal posse, a few minutes before the starting whistle blew. A little routine that always made my teammates and I chuckle. Those were great times.
Since we are not technically considered a ‘soft spoken’ family, during the game I could always hear my Dad (above all the other pops) cheering me on-and politely ‘disagreeing’ with the ref. Dad was usually wrong. The ref was, well, usually right.
Today I’m 34. And I’m not running down a field hockey field anymore, dodging another player on my way to the goal. I’m running an e-publishing company where only ‘virtual’ sidelines exist. So, it can get rather lonely at times. That’s where my Dad has stepped in these past twelve months. Most of the time silently cheering me on with phone calls, pep talks and an occasional (and very timely) hug or high-five.
Thanks Dad for always sticking with me through this challenging and rewarding game they call life. And for believing in me and cheering me on when I told you I was going to start my own dotcom. You have always made me feel like a winner. And this Father’s Day, I want to thank you for being the best cheerleader, and Dad, I could ever ask for. Even if you will never sport one of those striped polyester uniforms.
Love you.
Sarah Lockard
AML Publisher
The Flour Pot Boutique, the Philadelphia region’s top cookie company, is providing Ralph Lauren’s NYC flagship store with stylish favors for their Father’s Day clientele.
1) Sweet Tooth
Cleverly Decorated Cookies from Ambler’s The Flour Pot Cookie Boutique
www.flourpotcookies.com
A few months ago, AML discovered mother and daughter dynamic duo Margie and Abbey Greenberg’s upscale cookie company, The Flour Pot, and we have been enamored with their creative genius (and unbelievably delicious cookies) ever since. The Flour Pot, based in Ambler, designs custom, specialized handmade cookies for some of America’s most prestigious companies (Ralph Lauren, Neiman Marcus, Comcast, Spanx, Coca-Cola just to name a few…) along with thousands of clients across the Delaware Valley.
The Flour Pot has established a cult following among Main Line brides who have utilized their company for party favors from the time they got engaged (shipping their bridesmaids-to-be one of Flour Pot’s most clever ‘Be My Bridesmaid’ cookies), through their wedding and for their baby showers. “We have a touch of whimsy in what we do, along with the fact that we produce beautiful, handmade delicious cookies for our clients. One thing that people always say is that they are always hesitant to try decorative cookies, but we pride ourselves on a unique product that we make fresh daily and that also really tastes great. People are always drawn in by our designs but the ‘wow’ factor comes when they taste a great cookie,” explained Abbey.
Holidays like Dad’s Day bring out the best in creative designs for Flour Pot which is offering five unique motifs (golf, grilling, office, preppy and sports) that can be ordered in increments of 6, 10, 16, 24 and 30. Ralph Lauren’s NYC flagship store recently placed an order to treat their loyal Dad’s Day customers. Interested customers should allow two to three days for shipping. The Flour Pot cookies are not only scrumptious, but will be the talk of your Father’s Day party and a huge hit with the young and, most certainly, the young-at-heart. We can’t think of a better way to treat the sweetest Dad you know!
Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA.Photo courtesy of April Ziegler Photography.
2) A Taste of Victory
Victory Brewing Company Tour/Lunch
www.victorybrewing.com
We like to think of Downingtown’s renowned Victory Brewing Company as a fine brewcation for the beer aficionado-and family this Dad’s Day weekend. Victory has a great promotion planned for Sunday with a ‘Beer and Burger’ event. From 12-6pm, patrons can get a liter of beer and a speciality burger for $15.
The expansive bar and cool crowd is reason enough to stop by for a cold one-be sure to order a Whirlwind Wit, Victory’s refreshing seasonal session brew. Or, take a tour of the Downingtown headquarters and learn about the fine art of brewing. Tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays at 4pm. The restaurant is honoring its regular hours of operation this Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
3) Fore!
Find the hottest products for Dad at KOP’s Golfdom
www.golfdomgolf.com
Jordan Marburger, sales associate at KOP’s premiere golf store, identified six great gifts for the golf-loving Dad in your life.
R9 Taylor-Made Driver $399
www.taylormadegolf.com
Fitjoy Rain suit $350
www.footjoy.com
Box of Titliest Balls $45.99
www.titleist.com
Adidas Tour 360 3.0 Shoes $180
www.adidasgolf.com
Callaway Odyssey Teron Putter $169
www.callawaygolf.com
Adidas CoolMax ‘Carolina Blue’ Shorts $65 (Approx)
www.adidasgolf.com
Bernadette Uzcategui is the Main Line’s premiere baby, family and pet photographer.
4) Picture Perfect
[BUP] Photography, Bernadette Uzcategui, Bryn Mawr, PA
www.buphotography.com
Bernadette Uzcategui, owner and founder of [BUP] Photography in Bryn Mawr and AroundMainLine.com contributing photographer, specializes in pet, lifestyle and family portraiture. Uzcategui is considered the Main Line’s premiere baby and family photographer. Her breathtaking photography and approach to fine portrait, customized work favors the summer season. “I feel I have a modern style to approaching family portraits; there is not a lot of posing. What my shoots are all about is connecting with the families in what they do day-to-day. That is so inspiring to me; my clients want their memories to be representative of who they are. I let my clients dictate, it’s not about posing. You get so much more personality and depth if you do more custom portraiture,” explained Uzcategui.
Bernadette, an active blogger and social media guru, explained classic studio photography is fading away. And, with the digital revolution, consumers want to approach photography and family portraits with a fresh philosophy.In addition, since natural light is more flattering to any photo session, Uzcategui prefers to shoot outdoors when possible. “It’s a huge part of the overall look of the session. With the exceptions of newborns, I really prefer to work with mother nature to create an interesting and beautiful backdrop for my shoots. And, one that is unique to every client’s successful session.”
5) Splurge
A Customized Sauna
www.balticleisure.com
www.paolidesigncenter.com
It’s not the ‘typical’ Dad’s Day gift, but after meeting with the dynamic team from Baltic Leisure a few weeks ago (Chris Smeltzer, Director of Business Development and Sales Manager Mike Lombardi) we were sold on the value and cool gift concept behind a customized sauna. Lombardi and Smeltzer are doing a brisk business with Main Liners upgrading their houses in a down real estate market and builders who are incorporating every luxury amenity into their new construction to stay competitive.
With saunas starting around $5,000, Baltic Leisure (headquartered in Oxford, PA and also located within the Paoli Design Center on Lancaster Avenue)has been a leader and innovator in the manufacturing, customization and distribution of premium quality modular pre-built and pre-cut sauna kits, steam rooms and showers, wine storage systems, towel and robe warmers, benches and planters, and humidors. And, after 34 years in business, their motto says it all: A Legacy of Creating Luxury.
Grab a great piece of clothing for Dad this Father’s Day at Bryn Mawr Boutique Pants.
6) Cool Duds for Dad
Bryn Mawr Clothing Boutique Pants
www.shop-pants.com
Looking for some great new fashion finds for your favorite dad? Look no further than Bryn Mawr Men’s Boutique Pants. Owner Jon Segal, almost a year into his successful Main Line business, offers his clients (guys, dads and grandfathers) one-on-one style advice, a beautiful, welcoming retail space and a great personal touch.
Segal stocks some of the hottest brands-including Theory, Splendid Mills, Howe, Majestic, Lois Hill Jewelry, Takel and more. And, a few weeks ago, the store just started carrying Northern Liberties-based brand Commonwealth Proper shirts. Proper, owned and operated by attorney Craig Arthur von Schroeder, is starting to get some buzz around their gorgeous brand of fitted-shirts ($105-$250). The Proper look (their website is under construction) is ideal for the corporate Main Line dad who wants to look finished and professional, but doesn’t want the restrictions of a traditional suit-and-tie office look. Commonwealth Proper will have a trunk show on July 1st at the tres chic Pinot Boutique at 227 Market Street.
Pants is located at 931 Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr, on the second floor above the women’s boutique Skirt and adjacent to the Bryn Mawr Car Wash. Patrons can park in the rear and access the back entrance. The boutique is closed on Mondays. For more information on store times and promotions, contact owner Jon Segal directly at 610-527-6900 or email Segal at: info@shop-pants.com.
Christopher’s Restaurant, Wayne, PA
7) Wonderful Wayne
Walk Around The Main Line’s Most Popular Town
From family restaurant Christopher’s to Flanigan’s Boathouse, Teresa’s Next Door, Great American Pub, Margaret Kuo’s, Johnnie’s Dog House, Saxby’s Coffee, Café Elegance and more-Wayne offers over half a dozen options to those family and friends who want to browse around the Main Line’s top town. Looking for a great appetizer, Belgium pale ale and frites or large frappucino? A two block area along Lancaster Avenue and North Wayne Ave offers boutiques, outdoor dining, and great ambience for a date with Dad that won’t disappoint.
And, just down the road, Radnor’s Fleming’s Steakhouse, a stone’s throw from the Blue Route, is offering an affordable Father’s Day Brunch from 11:30 to 3pm, $29.95 per guest. Families who treat Dad to brunch at Fleming’s will receive a complimentary $25 Dining Card. And, all locations will serve their regular menu throughout the day and evening.
How do you plan to spend Dad’s Day 2009 around the Main Line? Feel free to share in our comment section below.
