Chesapeake City, Maryland oozes with old world charm, quaint shops, gorgeous gardens and great dining. It’s a great daycation spot with mom and less than a 90 minute drive from the heart of the Main Line. Photo courtesy of Jubilee Photography

1) Chesapeake City, Maryland
www.chesapeakecity.com
Read our full story on Chesapeake City

Quaint, historic and charming Chesapeake City, Maryland-located in Cecil County-is a short and beautiful drive from Philly’s western suburbs. It is one wonderful daycation for a very deserving mom in your life! Chesapeake City’s historic area is on the National Historic Registry, as well as Maryland’s Historic Registry. The town has many restored historic homes, shops and galleries, featuring hand-painted originals and prints, antiques, collectibles, clothing, gifts and crafts.

Boasting a bevy of B&Bs, it’s a perfect getaway for mom and daughters or sisters for the holiday weekend. The town’s holiday dining spot for Mom’s Day is, without doubt, the Bayard House.The restaurant serves award-winning crab soup, tournedos Baltimore, and a breathtaking tableside view of the famous Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D Canal), one of only two vital sea-level canals in the United States.

Additional sites include the Canal Museum, art galleries, summer concerts, boat tours, and tours of the nearby horse country. Convenient to several large cities on the east coast, this historic village on the banks of the C&D Canal is a favorite spot for those seeking a weekend getaway or a vacation retreat.

The Michener Museum’s exhibit ‘Icons of Costume: Hollywood’s Golden Era and Beyond’ is sure to delight mom. In the spirit of the exhibition, the museum is holding a fashion and accessories trunk show spotlighting regional artisans and their work on Saturday, May 8. Photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

2) The Michener Museum
Fashion and Accessories Trunk Show
Saturday, May 8th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Doylestown, PA
michenerartmuseum.org

Mother’s Day in Doylestown will not disappoint! In addition to the dozens of fantastic shops and dining spots downtown, the Michener Museum boasts an exciting new exhibit that opened on April 17th—Icons of Costume: Hollywood’s Golden Era and Beyond. Icons presents over 50 items selected from one of the most extensive collections of movie memorabilia ranging from Marlene Dietrich’s black velvet evening gown from Shanghai Express (1932) to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s black leather jacket from Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).

In the spirit of the exhibition, which runs through September 5th, the James A. Michener Art Museum’s Denoon Shop presents a Fashion and Accessories Trunk Show spotlighting regional artisans and their work on Saturday, May 8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Locally made jewelry, scarves, coats, hats and more are available for purchase with proceeds supporting the Museum and its community programs.

3) Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Saturday May 8th, Sunday May 9th
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
www.longwoodgardens.org
Twitter: longwoodgardens

Give Mom the gift of a gorgeous tour of Longwood Gardens and a special fragrance to mark the day. Always in Bloom is the first signature fragrance for Longwood, debuting in conjunction with their exhibit Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance. The exhibit, which opened on April 10th and runs through November 21st, is the first major exhibition for one of the world’s leading horticultural centers.

More than 260 different Genera of aromatic plants and flowers have been added specifically for the exhibition, joining more than 5,500 types of plants from around the world already housed in the historic conservatory. The exhibition will trace key moments in the history of perfume, beginning with the earliest recorded Egyptian scent around 1800 B.C.E. and culminating with Coco Chanel’s release of No. 5 in 1921, the first perfume for the modern woman.

Longwood Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mother’s Day weekend offering special events throughout. In addition to acres of fragrant and colorful spring blossoms, Longwood offers mom a host of delights including music, fine dining and unique gifts in The Gardens Shop. Visit longwoodgardens.org for full details.

4) The Junior League of Philadelphia’s Main Line Shopping Event
Suburban Square, Ardmore
Wednesday, May 5th 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
www.suburbansquare.com
www.jlphiladelphia.org

Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo and shop for mom with The Junior League of Philadelphia! The JLP will be hosting a shopping benefit at Suburban Square in Ardmore on May 5 from 5-9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit Junior League of Philadelphia and its Project GREEN: Using Nature to Nurture community programs. Tickets are $20 each and entitle the holder to a discount pass valid at participating Suburban Square stores. Tickets may be purchased on the JLP website or at the registration desk on the night of the event.

Pick up Mother’s Day gifts or shop for a fabulous new summer wardrobe. To view a complete list of participating stores or to learn more about membership in the Junior League, please visit jlphiladelphia.org.

Nannygoat Antiques is part of the stores participating in the sidewalk sale in downtown Narberth. Photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

5) Narberth Sidewalk Sale and Circus
May 6th, 7th and 8th
narberthonline.com

Narberth has a full weekend of fun activities planned this Mother’s Day weekend, with three days of Spring Sidewalk Sale, and three Saturday circus performances! The action kicks off with music and street food, 6pm Thursday, May 6, at Forrest and Haverford Ave. Right around the corner, the Narberth Avenue shops “On the Hill” are giving away free dessert.

The shops of Narberth take to the sidewalks all day Friday and Saturday, and many have crafts, specials, and fun, family activities planned for Saturday afternoon. There will be music all day Saturday, and an 11:30 AM performance by the DanceXpress dancers at the train station circle. From Noon to 4pm Saturday, you can catch a ride on the “Narberth Local”, two trackless trains running between Downtown Narberth and the Circus at Narberth Park. Circus performances are Saturday, May 8, at 1pm, 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are available for $8 at the tent or in advance at the Library and the Borough Office. Call 610-664-2840.

Take mom to Manayunk for dining and shopping!Be sure to stop in Molly Cygan’s popular The Little Apple store on Main Street, across from La Colombe coffee, for free champagne and adorable gift ideas. Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple

6) Manayunk Loves Mom!
May 8th and May 9th
www.manayunk.com

‘Manayunk loves Mom!’ is the special weekend of activities, discounts and complimentary gifts retail owners will be offering shoppers and diners May 8th and May 9th. Among the cool kudos in store for moms dining over the weekend in Manayunk: Kildare’s will offer mom a complimentary pint and Mango Moon will serve mom complimentary champagne and a chef’s specialty appetizer. Over a dozen retailers will offer discounts and gifts with purchase. Speaking of gifts, Manayunk’s hot new retail space The Little Apple is the must-stop in the Yunk to grab a great, affordable gift for mom. For a full list of the specials and participating stores, visit Manayunk.com.

7) Please Touch Museum’s Spring Strings
May 7th to 10th
Mother’s Day Hours: 11.am. to 5 p.m.
Moms get free general admission for Mother’s Day Weekend
www.pleasetouch.org

The Please Touch Museum will be tuning its strings in anticipation for the Spring String celebration! Come and enjoy the musical styles of Ann Goering and Brian Rafter while they play a number of different stringed instruments around the museum, including upright bass, bowed psaltery, autoharp, guitar, violin, and viola. Little maestros can also try their hands at a ukulele, hammerete, melody harp, and child-sized upright harp and guitar in our Program Room. Mom will get free general admission for Mother’s Day Weekend.

Adventure Aquarium has a fantastic week of activities planned. On Saturday, meet your favorite NBC10 personalities up close and in person at Adventure Aquarium! Photo courtesy of Off the Leash Portraits

8) Adventure Aquarium and NBC10 Day
Saturday May 8th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
adventureaquarium.com
Twitter: AdventureAqua

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Adventure Aquarium and NBC 10 invite you to celebrate the women in your lives by giving the gift of adventure. On Saturday, May 8, meet your favorite NBC 10 personalities up close and in person at Adventure Aquarium! All moms will receive a complimentary flower (while supplies last) and, from 10 am to 2pm, guests can meet renowned members of the NBC 10 team, who will be on-hand to greet guests, sign autographs, and perform in Adventure Aquariums live shows.

Haverford School Alum and Main Line native Steve Sabol “What I got at the Haverford School was a sense of competition and accomplishment. Many people are creative but they lack the skill to harness those ideas effectively. And, that’s what I learned from my education at The Haverford School.”

You would be hard pressed to find a Main Liner, even a Philadelphia sports fan, who does not recognize the name Steve Sabol. Sabol is the renowned alum of The Haverford School and, most notably, founder of NFL Films along with his father Ed. From second grade to his senior year in high school, Sabol roamed the halls of The Haverford School and hit the field every fall as part of the football team. The 1960 graduate, is, of course now the head of NFL Films, headquartered in Voorhees, New Jersey. Sabol Field was christened at The Haverford School this past September and, is, in essence where NFL Films was born.

Ed Sabol, a spry 93, according to his son, and retired in Arizona, began filming Steve playing football at his son’s prep school. He enjoyed it so much he parlayed the hobby into shooting pro football. As the well-known story goes, Ed Sabol paid then NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle $4,000 for the rights to shoot the 1962 NFL Championship game. Sabol’s film, with its dramatic close-ups and stirring music, impressed Rozelle. Ed convinced the owners to kick in $20,000 apiece to create the company now known as NFL Films.

AroundMainLine.com: I know you love the Main Line and growing up there, the experience of Haverford. When I met you Mr. Sabol years back during my previous sports television career, I succinctly remember you telling me how much you wish you could live on the Main Line. But, you had to live in Jersey and be near your office. And, you seemed to bemoan the fact.

Sabol, who is on the board of The Bryn Mawr Film Institute, has won 30 Emmys. NFL Films boasts over 90.

Steve Sabol: That is because New Jersey has no class.

AML: I guess I’ll handle the hate mail on that comment! In all seriousness, what is it that you so cherish about the Main Line and your days at The Haverford School.

SS: The teachers forced me to look at things differently. My homeroom teacher at Haverford had just as much influence on me, at the time, as my mother and father. He made learning fun. In the fourth grade, instead of just having a normal spelling bee for the class he had a huge treasure map with real Spanish coins as prizes. His energy and understanding of what we were going through as young boys was what I remember.

Back then at Haverford, it was a bit of a different time too. Everyone had three names, came from very wealthy families and it was so competitive. High school was my life and there was a lot of pressure to thrive and be at the top of the class. I think the description under my picture for my senior year in high school of my activities was two pages long-Spanish club, editor of the yearbook, football, speaking contest winner. And the feeling was, since I was third in my class that I would go to any college in the country. Neither of my parents were college graduates and I was encouraged to apply to Harvard. I did not get into Harvard and it was a huge mystery and a tremendous embarrassment to the school. Here I was magna cum laude, all Inter-Ac, part of every school activity, great athlete and nothing. All my classmates were receiving acceptance letters from Yale, Stanford, Penn. And for the first time, I was not successful. Steve Sabol-‘zero’.

AML: That’s interesting, you think the expectations are so strong on kids these days but that is quite a pressure cooker. How did Colorado College come about then—not exactly the same league as Harvard?

Ed Sabol, a Philadelphia clothing salesman by trade, with his young son. Ed used a 1940’s Bell and Howell movie camera to film Steve's football games at Haverford School starting in 1951. Photo published with the consent of Steve Sabol/NFL Films

SS: My mother put me into a college admission center in the Northwest and we received a letter from Colorado College and there were the Rocky Mountains in the background. And, since I was a huge football fan, I knew that’s where Dutch Clark went, the Hall of Famer. As a kid, football was my life—which is really the other part of my story. I was totally immersed in this sport—I looked at football not only as competition but I looked at the game in dramaturgical terms. The uniform, the physical struggle, the sounds your cleats made on the concrete when you were walking to the field, the smell of the leather pads-all of that combined with the romantic appeal of Colorado College I told my mother to sign me up. And, of course, thanks to The Haverford School, when I got there I was so way ahead of everyone else scholastically. I walked onto the football team, spent six years at Colorado College, and came out of college with a major in art. I wanted to be an artist.

Sabol’s original artwork has been shown in New York and on the Main Line in Philadelphia, and has been nominated to be shown at the Smithsonian Museum of American Design in Washington DC.

AML: Before we talk about how you have come full circle now with that passion for art, I want to talk about you and your dad and those early days. One thing I love about this conversation, the evolution of NFL Films and this journey of yours with your dad from your days at The Haverford School to now is, in its simplest terms, this is a story about the love between a father and a son.

SS: My dad theory’s in life has always been if you want something, you double it. If you buy a sport jacket, buy two. If a doctor tells you to take two, take four. Everything is doubled.

AML: Is that a good or bad philosophy?

SS: It’s a great way to look at life; it also applies to purchasing Mercedes and other things. And, he used that approach when he formed NFL Films and approached Pete Rozelle. He doubled the money on the table. My father also embraced the idea that every business plan is improved by two martinis.

AML: I like that. You are one of America’s most successful run family businesses in essence.

SS: I have a theory on that. The third generation ‘kills it’. The third generation is removed from the passion, vision and initial energy that made the business successful. My father was a business man and a visionary and he had a great ability to look at the bad ideas and weed them out. When we started NFL Films, my dad was there to champion my concepts-the good ones-and put them into place. My father was my role model, my boss, the funniest person I have ever met, and an incredible salesman. He was the kind of person who walked into a room and everyone liked him.

AML: How could you summarize what this business of filming football is all about?

Sabol’s “Art of Football” Exhibition is on display for Super Bowl week in Miami, through January 9th, at the Avant Gallery. To see more of his art, visit his website at stevesabolart.com.

SS: To me this is a love affair of the game of football, this is not about marketing. And, it was a love affair expressed as love often is—through art. And, that’s the art of film. I think of NFL Films as a style of movie making—just as you can watch two people in a movie falling in love and sitting across from each other in a coffee shop, with no script and just music playing. We are able to create the same effect with the way we approach the game of football.

If you think of what we do (here at NFL Films), there is a very definite process creatively. If you are a writer or a photographer, artistic ideas hit you like a bolt of lightning. It begins with a passion to create, to do something. Then, it’s what I call ‘research’, researching everything you are about to do. Then after that its organization-organizing thoughts on your film, on your work.And, after that, the most important part is concentration. Many people are creative but they lack the skill to harness those ideas effectively. And, that’s what I learned from my education at The Haverford School.

AML: One of the goals I had when I started my publishing company Mr. Sabol—on my wish list of people I wanted to sit down and interview—was a chance to speak with you. So, I am soaking in every part of this chat and am really learning so much about your creative process. You paint a picture with everything you say, I could sit here all day!

I wanted to ask you about the late, great Harry Kalas.

SS: I was very privileged to work with two of the greatest voice over talents in the history of sports television—Jon Facenda and Harry Kalas. If there was a speaker at the Last Supper, after dinner was over, it would be Jon Facenda. He was the voice of God whereas Harry Kalas was the voice of the people. With Harry, the warmth and friendliness of his voice was really a mirror of his personality. Harry had a sportscaster’s voice with an actor’s delivery—he just knew how to read a script really well. Harry touched all the bases.

AML: I am curious…are you on Facebook or Twitter?

SS: I don’t own a cell phone and I don’t have a Facebook or Twitter or what is the other thing called? My Space? I don’t mean to sound like an old fart. It just goes back to what I was saying before about concentration and maintaining your focus in business and those things are just distractions to me. All this technology has not changed the way NFL Films does business and our process. Yes, with one touch of a button now you reach millions of people but it is still the same approach that my father and I started out with. It is still a group of young people who love to make movies, love pro football and want to share it with our audience. NFL Films has had one continuous, creative vision for 47 years. These are timeless things; timeless stories that we capture just like people go back and read Greek mythology.

The ‘King of Football Movies’ reflects in his office.

AML: Let’s talk about your second act here, your art work.

SS: It is funny because it is really my first act; my degree in art was my first love. So, I have these collages and they represent Americana. We have had shows here in New Jersey and the Main Line and interest from the Smithsonian. I’ll be exhibiting in Miami at The Super Bowl. It’s an exciting time for me.

AML: You are so inspiring; your life is an incredible story in itself. My final question here-for the young men who are at The Haverford School now and read this interview—what is your message to them? I know we have only scratched the surface to the full story of Ed and Steve Sabol and NFL Films. But in 20 seconds or less, can you give me one last gem to pass on.

SS: I hope they realize that this is really not about being good on the football field. Life is about having a dream and believing in that dream and following through with that dream. And, this is about a father and a son and the value of that relationship. That relationship can build and become a whole life’s work. That’s NFL Films.

Steve Sabol’s “The Art of Football” exhibition is on display at the Avant Gallery in Miami through February 9th. “The Art of Football,” an exhibition of Steve Sabol’s thought-provoking, very colorful football-themed art on display from January 19 to February 9. Steve has shown in New York and on the Main Line in Philadelphia, and has been nominated to be shown at the Smithsonian Museum of American Design in Washington DC. Steve will be making appearances during the week leading up to Super Bowl. For more information, call Vanessa Almerico/Avant Gallery at 305-573-8873 or email valmerico@avantgallery.com. The gallery is located at 3850 North Miami Avenue in the historic Miami Design District. To see more of Steve’s art go to his website at www.stevesabolart.com.

Philadelphia pet photographer, and AML staff member, April Ziegler will be one of the vendors at Fidos Festival 2009. Come by and meet April!

Hundreds of furry friends from near and far will meet, greet and compete on the grounds of the Salem County Fairgrounds in Woodstown, NJ for the 2009 Fidos Festival USA, Friday August 28th through Sunday August 30th. The event, in its second year, is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees as the exclusive summer dog festival held on the east coast. Dozens of vendors will be part of the appeal, some coming from as far as way as California. “It is a great time, packed with dogs and dog lovers-families and friends. Fidos Festival offers an awesome family atmosphere and also a great family vacation. Many of our guests who attended last year camped out on the grounds and enjoyed the entire three day event. There is really nothing else like it for dog lovers in this region of the country,” enthused Jackie Gordon, event specialist for Events Plus, the company behind the festival.

In keeping with this year’s “Tropical Pooch Paradise” theme, canine contests will include Limbo competitions, Beach Comber Costume contests, and Surfer Races, and more. Dog owners can shop for innovative dog products as well as enjoy a variety of foods for humans. Several dog rescues, celebrities, dock diving, agility course, lure racing, fly ball demonstrations, training demonstrations, and presentations by pet experts will round out the fun. Camping options are offered on site.

www.fidosfestivalusa.com

Attendees and their dog can just browse the grounds and take in the animal-friendly atmosphere or participate in a parade, Frisbee contest, beach comber costume event (complete with grass skirts) and more. There is even a contest for top owner and dog look-a-likes! With over thirty years experience in the industry, Events Plus was able to launch Fidos Festival with an impressive 3,000 attendees in 2008, its inaugural year.

Events Plus also secured Fidos Festival in a venue that could accommodate tens of thousands-60 plus acres which are part of the Salem County Fairgrounds. Since camping options are available on site and there is plenty of parking and support, thousands can comfortably enjoy an extended weekend experience. “We have so many great activities as part of the fun that you will definitely never be bored even if you attend all three days—from fashion shows, to experts who offer sessions on nutrition and pet care and more. There are also several rescue groups that are on hand to speak one-on-one with the festival goers. And, last year we were successful in having a handful of dogs adopted as well, which was a great feeling! Fidos Fest is really something else—I can hardly wait for this year’s show,” enthused Gordon

The most anticipated event of Fidos Fest 2009 will be Saturday’s wedding ceremony. The organizers are attempting to break a Guinness World Record—for the largest dog wedding ceremony ever. Those wishing to register their pooch can do so via the event website at: poochpartner.fidosfestivalusa.com

The highlight of the weekend, though, will undoubtedly be Saturday afternoon’s interesting ‘trip down the aisle’ for dozens of dog couples. Fidos Festival 2009 is attempting to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest dog wedding ceremony ever. And, there’s still time to register your four legged bride or groom. And, if your pet hasn’t met the right mate, upload a photo, check out the available pups, and propose. (As Gordon pointed out, dogs suffering ‘commitment issues’ may choose to play the field until they find their match at the festival.) The wedding will take place on Saturday August 29 at 2pm. A complimentary wedding treat and marriage certificate will be offered to all participants.

Fidos Festival 2009

What:

Fido’s Festival USA is proud to present “Tropical Pooch Paradise” and three days of dog-centered, dog-loving fun and activities for dogs and dog lovers. Friendly island themed dog contests, innovative dog products, health & training sessions and demonstrations, awesome entertainment, island craft pavilion, doggie play area with refreshing doggie pools, dock diving, lure racing, agility course, flyball demonstrations, police dog demonstrations, adoptions and rescues, food court, guest appearances, presentations by pet experts, on-site camping and much more! Advance tickets on-line $9 per person for one day, $20 for weekend pass. Tickets at the gate are $12 per person for one day, $25 for weekend pass. Dogs and children 12 and under free. Parking is free.

When:

4 PM – 9 PM Friday, August 28;
10 AM – 5 PM Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30

Website:

www.fidosfestivalusa.com

Where:

The Salem County Fairgrounds
735 Route 40
Woodstown, NJ 08098
(Exit 4 off of I 295)

Who:

David and Elvis, Greatest American Dog reality television show
Dr. Harvey Cohen, a pioneer in holistic and natural nutrition for animals
Andrew Darlow, award winning author and photographer
Fido and Fidette, our festival mascots
Karen Quigley and Elwood, 2007 World’s Ugliest Dog

For advance tickets or more information visit www.fidosfestivalusa.com.

The pattern dubbed ‘Quiet Birds Homecoming’ is Scherzer’s best selling collar.

Burberry meets houndstooth, a row of powder pink owls pair up with a robin’s egg blue background, comical turtles with silly expressions dance on a crisp white fabric. Sounds like a sampling from a chic Main Line baby boutique-but in actuality its part of the preppy, fashion forward selection of dog collars from Big Doggy Bling. A Medford, New Jersey based online company, Pam Scherzer’s dog leashes are catching on as one the hottest pet products on the East Coast-and throughout the country. “I received a tweet the other day from a producer from the Oprah Winfrey show; she ordered some collars from me. That was pretty cool! I love my patterns and selection and I work really hard with the line so it was very exciting for me. Of course, when I shipped out the order I put a few extra collars in the mix for Oprah to check out. So, we shall see,” enthused Scherzer.

A very exciting ‘tweet’ considering Big Doggy Bling (www.bigdoggybling.com) has been hand sewing super sophisticated dog leashes, collars and harnesses for just over two years. In an extremely competitive industry of pet products, Scherzer decided to start offering collars for bigger dogs because of a void in the market. “I’m a crafty person naturally and I just decided to make custom collars for my own dogs because I could not find anything I really liked. And, what was out there was way too cutesy and they all fit the tiny, lap dogs. There are plenty of companies producing for those breeds but not too many catering to Bulldogs and the larger guys and gals,” explained Scherzer.

Bad to The Bone
Miss Chloe Ziegler steps out with attitude-but in sensational style thanks to Big Doggy Bling.

Scherzer, a Haddon Township native, offers harnesses and collars for all dogs, any size or shape. Her individually chosen patterns are preppy, pretty and functional. Big Doggy Bling carries martingale collars among their product line, which are “limited slip” collars that are especially useful for dogs whose neck and head are about the same width, like Bulldogs or Greyhounds. Pam’s newest style of leash is called a quick grab-designed with a separate loop (16-20 inches from the dog’s neck) attached to bring your dog back to you or out of danger. Scherzer says they are replacing the cumbersome retractable leashes and offer a more owner-friendly design than wrapping a leash around your wrist.

BigDoggyBling.com is an Etsy-based site. A phenomenally successful online marketplace model for handmade good and vintage clothes since their inception in 2005, Etsy has assisted over 100,000 sellers across the globe to open online shops. Scherzer says the Etsy model has been instrumental to the success of her web-based, custom business. “It’s awesome. Etsy has workshops online to help you when you just get started; I interact with other owners via their chat rooms. Etsy is like a friendly neighborhood, they have member driven discussions broken into categories! It’s a real community of artistic, entrepreneurial people growing their business online together,” said Scherzer.

Scherzer is the original founder of the Mid-Atlantic Bullyfest (recently highlighted on AroundMainLine.com) and is very active with New Jersey’s HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue. Twenty percent of her proceeds go directly to HeavenSent’s ongoing efforts to foster and place bulldogs across the country. “Foster dogs need to look good too! And, with bulldogs, having a properly fitted harness is very important to handling, training and owning these animals, explained Scherzer.

Mention AroundMainLine.com in an email to Pam Scherzer by May 27th and you will receive 10% off your purchase of Big Doggy Bling products. Pam can be reached at: pam@bigdoggybling.com

The company’s collars start at $16.99 and the harnesses price at $30 and up. Scherzer prides herself on individual consultations with her customers to find out exactly what leash style fits their dog and their needs. She will then sketch out the custom design and present it to the owner. One misconception Scherzer wants to dispel among dog owners is that a large dog does not mean bigger, long leash, in fact it’s the opposite equation. “When you have a large, strong dog you actually should be purchasing a shorter leash so you can have control of the dog. People with tiny, frou-frou dogs should have longer leashes because they are lower to the ground,” explained Scherzer.

Pam spends hours each week perusing the aisles of craft stores near her Medford, NJ home looking for specific patterns that fit a certain style. “I started my online shop because was looking for fashion forward, sophisticated collars and there was nothing out there. I have a certain look that I want to achieve and a pattern I eye up-so my brand can be easily recognized,” explained Scherzer.

Scherzer also recently paired up with AroundMainLine.com photographer April Ziegler to run a very successful promotion of her products through Ziegler’s popular photography blog, aprilziegler.com. “We had an unbelievable response. April encouraged her visitors and fans, who are for the most part animal lovers, to check out my site, choose a style and post a comment about why their favorite pooch should win a custom made color from Big Doggy Bling. The response was unprecedented, and April is very talented and giving. Her pictures of my products are just simply amazing! So, I know April and I will be working again together soon with another fun and interactive promotion,” enthused Scherzer.

Scherzer’s clever titles for her dozens of patterns are tongue-in-cheek—like her collar pattern dubbed ‘hOOters,’ which is a powder blue background with cute bubblegum pink owls. The monkey pattern (Monkey See, Monkey Do) and polka dot combos (High Tech Polka Dots) are also top sellers. Scherzer usually names her styles after the song she hears playing on the radio while she is sewing her custom products. “I like to keep things interesting and fun, my business is a lot of work but it’s something I thoroughly enjoy doing. This week I just designed a new collar called ‘More Than Words’ and of course everyone loves the palm tree leash-that’s a nod to Parrot Heads so we called it ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise.’ I have fun with what I’m creating; it’s a cool pastime and a rewarding business. Plus, there are dogs walking around sporting my collars and I know they look good and so do their proud owners,” said Scherzer.

Mention AroundMainLine.com in an email to Pam Scherzer by May 27th and receive ten percent off your purchase. Pam can be reached at: pam@bigdoggybling.com. Twenty percent of all sales from Big Doggy Bling products will be donated to HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue. To view a complete selection of Big Doggy Bling’s boutique leash selections visit: www.bigdoggybling.com

The Mid-Atlantic Bullyfest has attracted national attention and sparked popularity in events that raise money for rescue efforts throughout the country. Pictured is Manny, a bulldog currently up for adoption through HeavenSent.

A sunny and sensationally warm April 18th set the stage for the seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Bullyfest, hosted by Medford’s HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue. Families from across the tri-state region, and from all walks of life, gathered together for a spring barbeque and festival—all proudly showing off their most beloved furry family members. Brindled and solid brown, white and speckled grey—from newborns to ten-year-olds and every age in between, hundreds of the region’s English bulldogs barreled, sunned and snorted around the grounds of the Hugo residence on Taunton Lake road in Evesham, New Jersey. It was the first toasty afternoon of the spring, reminiscent of the dog days of summer, so many of the guests settled comfortably in the shade with their water bowls while families and friends participated in a silent auction, mingled with the vendors or cheered on the rescue parade.

In May of 2003, the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Bullyfest was organized by Pam Scherzer and held on the Scherzer’s property in Medford, New Jersey. About 65 people attended with close to 40 dogs-raising $700. By 2007, the event had outgrown the Scherzer land and was held at another venue. This year, Bullyfest 2009 had over 500 attendees, hundreds of dogs in attendance and raised over $10,000.00. Kara Gordon spearheads HeavenSent’s efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home the region’s English bulldogs in need. “There are all sorts of reasons why we end up with a Bulldog—someone passes away, people move, there is a divorce. Believe me, all sorts of circumstances feed into a dog we find in need. It’s a constant responsibility and very costly for our rescue so this annual event is critical to maintaining our work and successful adoptions,” said Gordon.

“People love to party with their bulldogs, it just comes naturally between the owners and the breed,” enthused HeavenSent’s Kara Gordon. Pictured is four-month old Milly Andrieola from South Philly.

HeavenSent currently has over twenty Bulldogs waiting for a forever home. Part of the rescue’s mission is facilitating foster homes and adoptions but also educating the public about the breed and what new families should understand when they are considering an English Bulldog. ”Most importantly, people need to understand the breed from a maintenance standpoint. They do have some skin issues and medical needs; they require a lot of care—from eye issues to skin allergies and respiratory needs. I say a Bulldog is a veterinarian’s dream! But, once you know that this is part of the privilege of bringing one into your life or your family’s life, they offer such a great companionship.” said Gordon.

One of the most popular vendors at Bullyfest ’09 was April Ziegler, an AroundMainLine.com photographer who specializes in professional pet portraiture work. “I love the breed; they are hands-down one of my favorites! Bulldog owners are so passionate about their dogs, so when I heard about Bullyfest I could not wait to come out and have an opportunity to photograph hundreds of Bulldogs in one afternoon. They really have so much personality and are always making curious faces and are naturally funny,” said Ziegler. Ziegler’s following in the Philadelphia pet community is growing exponentially. 6ABC’s new Saturday night show, FYI Philly, attended Bullyfest to follow Ziegler around for a special piece to air Saturday night, April 25th at 7pm. “When I am photographing a special breed, I really try to capture the details that make them unique. For example, I like to get close-up shots of their unique markings, noses, ears or tails. With English Bulldogs, they all have these cute wrinkles that set them apart. I think there are the little things that we treasure most about our pets that we love and that’s what I am always thinking when I am capturing the personality of each animal in my photos,” explained Ziegler.

AML photographer April Ziegler cleverly captured the essence of Bullyfest 2009. For more images from the event and a complete bulldog slideshow, visit aprilziegler.com. Pictured is HeavenSent foster parent Jen Horgan with Violet.

Norma Hugo, who generously donated her entire property for Bullyfest 2009, has been raising and showing Bulldogs for forty years and her daughter is an American Kennel Club licensed judge. Hosting over five hundred strangers on her front lawn for an entire day did not seem to phase the hostess. A rainy weather pattern a few days before Bullyfest made for a rather muddy lawn—with a few unlucky cars stranded on the property. “I absolutely love Bulldogs. And, it’s just great hosting this event, everything can be replaced here so whatever happens to my lawn is no big deal. But, animals can’t be replaced—that’s why we are all here,” assured Hugo. “If you have not lived with a Bulldog, you can’t understand the breed and why we love them. They are like little kids and they thrive on love and compassion and I think that is what brings out the love and compassion in their owners. It’s not difficult drawing people out to this event today because it’s a sheer celebration of love.”

Besides a fun atmosphere and a free barbeque, Bullyfest also offered owners a chance to interact with experts in the industry, including Mary Jo Stabinski-Heckman. Mary Jo breeds and shows AKC-registered Bulldogs and is a specialist in canine behavior modification and training. She serves area veterinary hospitals across the tri-state region and has been working with Bulldogs for over fifteen years. “I think a lot of people think, because they are a tough-looking breed, you should take a tough approach to training your Bulldog. And, that’s exactly what you should not do with any dog. Positive reinforcement is what these dogs need. Bulldogs are, obviously, a big powerful dog and it can be challenging to train them if you are not well-informed. It’s a special breed, no doubt, so the owners who want to work with them have to understand the approach they should be taking,” explained Stabinski-Heckman.

A Starr is Born! Four-month-old Starr shines for the camera.

Bulldogs adopted from Heaven Sent are $500, as opposed to the thousands of dollars that the breed retails for. In 2008, HeavenSent rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed 97 Bulldogs. Gordon also spearheads local New Jersey and Philly meetup groups with local Bulldog owners and says they are growing in popularity. “People absolutely love to get together and party with their Bulldogs! It’s a tight community with a shared passion and understanding for this breed. A lab is a lab, they may be three different colors but they pretty much look the same. The cool thing that everyone seems to appreciate and get excited about is that a Bulldog can produce an entire litter where each puppy has completely different markings. There’s really no other breed that can claim that. They bring their own uniqueness in that sense, and I think that’s where a lot of the popularity and passion for the breed comes from,” said Gordon.

Every owner has the story of how their special English Bulldog came into their lives. Here are some of the unique pooch personalities and great testimonials AML uncovered while we soaked in the festivities at Bullyfest ‘09.

Libby Whiton, Doylestown, PA
Bulldog: Lewis, 4-years-old

“He is my first bulldog and when I was little I remember seeing the cutest bulldog in the window of a puppy store and falling in love. He is my first and certainly not my last! They are so great with kids and so loveable—I get stopped everywhere I go with him because that face is just so adorable. He has been a great addition to our family.”

Lisa Craven, Craven Acres Bulldog Breeders
Bulldog: Toby, 2½-years-old

“It’s a very loving breed, they are very loyal and they just love their owners. And, you can’t beat the facial expressions. One thing I always tell people when they adopt one of our dogs-look out if you have an in-ground swimming pool. Bulldogs love the water so you have to watch out, they will sink to the bottom of the pool faster than you can blink. So, be prepared if you bring one of these dogs home—they’ll make for a fun time but you’ll be stuck swimming with them all summer long!”

Jennifer Horgan, Lansdale, PA
Foster Bulldog: Violet, 5-years-old

“We’ve fostered about eleven dogs through HeavenSent and it has been a great experience, we just love it. Violet is the sweetest thing, she is a total homebody! She loves to play with our Boston terrier and English bulldog. I would love to adopt every dog we foster; we actually adopted our first rescue. Its so sad to see them go, but as a foster parent of bulldogs, there is a great satisfaction in knowing we held to find them a permanent home. And, we stay connected—the new family sends us pictures of our foster dogs in Halloween costumes.”

Randy Waddell, Langhorne, PA
Bulldog: Fullback, 5-years-old

“I’m a paramedic, and four years ago I went to this woman’s house on a call and she was fostering Fullback. She asked me if I wanted to take him in and try him out…and, it worked. He is a great dog, doesn’t bark a lot and is the perfect companion for our family. We are big Eagles fans, so it was natural that we found a football name for him.”

Jamie Detweiler & Candace Yaich, Coopersburg, PA
Bulldog: Starr, 4-months-old

“We went into the pet store to get our fish water tested and we came home with her, our new baby! We could not resist she was so adorable. And, it’s been great—she is never going to grow out of these wrinkles. She loves the kids, loves to cuddle and has jumped right in as the newest member of our family,” said Yaich.

Randy Unangsp Marlton, NJ
Bulldog: Bubba, 2-years-old

“We rescued Bubba from HeavenSent. We love him; he has been a great dog. This is our second bulldog—we had a bulldog that passed away and we could not wait to bring another one into our family. Its hard to explain how these dogs make a difference in your life, but it is, in a way, like they are from sent from heaven.”

To view a cool slideshow of the 2009 Bullyfest, visit April Ziegler’s website at aprilziegler.com or click on: aprilziegler.com/slideshows/bullyfest

For additional information on HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue, visit their website at: www.heavensentbulldogrescue.com. Their mailing address is: PO Box 816 Medford, NJ 08055.To email a member of the HSBR staff, contact Kara Gordon or Amy Stein at: HSrescue@aol.com.

To contact Mary Jo Stabinski-Heckman of Paws for Thought, for inquiries regarding canine behavior modification and training, visit her website at: www.redbrickbulldogs.com, call 610-539-9460 or email: paws4thoughtdogs@comcast.net.