By AML Publisher
Photography provided by April Ziegler Photography, Bernadette Uzcategui and Stacey Granger/Life Art Imaging

My beautiful mother, Lisa Lockard, at a recent family wedding, dancing the night away. Photo courtesy of Joe Craig Photography www.joecraigphoto.com

It is one of the best holidays and a personal favorite—Mother’s Day! This year, the city and suburbs abound with so many great selections—classic and new—to consider for your special family celebration. Whether you are headed downtown, eyeing up the Main Line, or venturing out to the countryside, AML has done our due diligence to highlight thirteen terrific selections to choose from for Mother’s Day 2009. These are in no particular order…so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy our suggestions for your important and fun celebration of the great women in your life. Whether you will be toasting with your own mom, an aunt, sister or dear friend, we wish you a meaningful and wonderful day filled with great memories and a whole lotta love.

Love You Mom!
Sarah Lockard
AML Publisher
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By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy April Ziegler Photography

Henry Mercer’s eccentric and comprehensive collection of artifacts from around the globe is showcased throughout the massive structure known as the Mercer Museum. The museum’s annual Folk Fest, held each year on Mother’s Day weekend, celebrates traditions of the past, including a popular sheep shearing contest.

Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930) was a pack rat, in the best sense of the word. At the turn of the century, Mercer, a leader in the arts and crafts movement and a wealthy renaissance man who wore many hats (architect, academic, archaeologist and writer just to name a few) constructed two massive concrete castles in Bucks County to showcase a breathtaking and massive collection of American and ancient artifacts. Today, these architectural masterpieces still stand in Doylestown and are home to two of the country’s most breathtaking museums, The Mercer Museum and Fonthill, Mercer’s former home. Thanks to Mercer’s vision, preserving the past for future generations with tens of thousands of unusual artifacts from around the globe, there exists a Main Line daycation unlike any other.
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By AML Publisher

AroundMainLine.com presents the first of a three-part series highlighting a special group of local families who have lost a child and created charities in their honor. AML sat down with Janet and Tom Manion of Doylestown to learn of their work in continuing the legacy of their son, 1st Lieutenant Travis Manion. Travis Manion was serving his second tour in Iraq in a reconnaissance battalion during the spring of 2007 when he died in a sniper attack. The Bucks County family, along with the support of hundreds of friends, has created a successful foundation in Travis’ honor. On Friday December 5th, 1st Lt. Travis L. Manion, USMC was awarded posthumously with the military’s third highest award, the Silver Star, at a ceremony at the Doylestown Courthouse in Doylestown, PA. Lieutenant General John Allen, USMC, presented the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Valor awards to Travis’ parents, Colonel Tom Manion and Janet Manion.

The All-American Boy

1st Lt. Travis Manion was awarded with the military’s third highest award, The Silver Star, at the Doylestown Courthouse on December 5th.