An Outstanding Staycation
My, how times and things have changed in the Oley Valley,
where I was born and raised and chalked up many first-time experiences like ice skating on the Manatawny Creek when it was frozen over.
On warmer days, I learned how to fish for Sunnies under the Fishermill Bridge where the creek flowed in two paths, one big and one small, on the Weidner homestead.
It was where I learned how to ride a stick horse and play cowboys and Indians, hiding out in the wagon shed and barn, planning attacks. It was where I had my first sip of birch beer and where I laid my head at night, exhausted after playing outside all day, in a small bedroom shared with my two sisters.
These sweet childhood memories came back the day my sister Vicki A. (Weidner) Conrad, my daughter Laura A. Sutphen (an Oley Valley graduate) and I arrived in Oley for a mini “stay” vacation – aka staycation. Our time together began at the new Mill Stone Bed and Breakfast on Main Street. After a tour of the house and its mature lawns and gardens, we headed out for dinner and drinks at the Bridge Inn in Pleasantville.
A COUNTRY BAR WITH CITY FLAIR
This Inn has all the locals talking about its Miami South Beach inspired Martini Bar. We are greeted upstairs by co-owner and manager Daniel L. P. Sickafus, who offers us a sophisticated drink menu that lights up when opened. It’s not easy choosing any one adult beverage from more than 40 different kinds of martinis, fresh fruit mojitos and margaritas. In addition, there is wine, two featured beers on tap and 25 other varieties in bottles to choose from.
Master mixologist Javier “Javie” Ramos, dressed in tight black jeans and a short-sleeved T-shirt, moves like a professional ballroom dancer from one bottle to the next. Javier is loaded with Caribbean sex appeal — he is a ladies' man.
“Yeah, but if he gets too much attention he gets red,” offers Dan, who is keeping an eye on the bar as he assists staff members and mingles with guests.
“I sometimes get martini elbow,” gushes Javie, smiling from ear to ear, shaking a drink faster than an electric blender over his shoulder. Javie’s fanciest drinks — the thick ones with chocolate drizzle along the insides of the glasses — are works of art.
After polishing off our appetizers – New Zealand green-lip mussels in a pool of white wine and garlic broth with sides of crispy garlic bread for $8.99 and crab and artichoke dip served in a bread bowl for $9.99 – we find and an empty sectional sofa in the lounge. Travis Caudle, an Australian-born singer and songwriter who specializes in guitar-based pop songs, is in the house tonight. The upstairs seats seven at the bar, 40 in the lounge and 40 in the dining room. Sixty guests can sit comfortably in the restaurant' s downstairs main dining room and lounge area where homemade soups, sauces, and seafood specialties; hand-cut steaks; vegetarian dishes and desserts are served. Entrée prices range from $15.99 to $39.99.
Before the night ends, head chef and co-owner Brian K. Favinger hand-delivers two desserts fresh from the kitchen: crème brûlée and a slice of chocolate cake with ganache and raspberries. Brian’s hospitality and charm echo that of his family, who owned and operated the restaurant for many years when it was known as the Pleasantville Inn.
Reservations are suggested and are usually necessary on the weekends. The Martini Bar is open Friday and Saturday from 6 pm until at least midnight.
BACK AT MILL STONE
We watch the backyard fill up with lightning bugs — their yellowish-green neon lights flickering in the dark, still night. I ignore the urge to try and catch one. Years ago, my sisters and I would spend hours chasing these black-winged insects late into the night with the sweet smell of country air on our hair and pajamas.
Our delightful hosts Marc and Nita Sukenik tell us that their 200-year-old Mill Stone residence was built approximately 100 years after the arrival of the area’s first group of Pennsylvania German settlers in 1710. The couple, now retired from their other professions, have lived here for seven years. They opened their B&B in December after fulfilling a long-time dream.
LET’S TAKE A PEEK INSIDE
The first floor has a parlor, small country kitchen and dining room. It also has a cozy sitting room with hardwood doors, area rugs, a comfy sofa and chairs, a working fireplace and large bay windows.
At the top of the stairs, a small common area provides complimentary comforts of home such as a coffee maker, cold beer, a bottle of wine, soda and water, fresh fruit, games and books. The Zackon Suite, our room, features a king-size sleigh bed, a view of the front and backyard, a small table with two chairs, and a love seat with a pull-out bed. A flat screen TV — mounted above a working replace — is technologically loaded for computer enthusiasts. Our private spa-like bath is equipped with an over-sized slipper tub (a freestanding claw-foot tub with high back rest) and tiled shower with body sprays for two (talk about country decadence). Other amenities include a dressing room with two fluffy bath robes, beach towels, clothes hangers, an iron and a full-length mirror.
We love Marc and Nita’s support of local businesses, evident in products used throughout the house, including shampoos and soaps from Paisley & Company, Kutztown; chocolates from Reppert’s Candy; fresh flowers from Christa’s Country Creations and wine from Aulenbach Winery, all of Oley.
BREAKFAST IS SERVED
Nita’s home-cooked breakfast is served at 9 am in the dining room. The table is set with a lace tablecloth, china, heirloom antique goblets and fresh flowers. We start with fresh fruit (melon balls, blueberries and raspberries) topped with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and a sprig of homegrown mint. Our main course, quiche with a side of French toast with blueberries and peaches and three sausage links, is delicious. Nita, who never leaves the kitchen during our meal, is on standby for each course. We praise her over and over again until she blushes — like Javie, just not as red.
Two hours later, Marc hand delivers a cooler with sharp cheddar cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, brownies and three bottles of water — poolside. We are officially spoiled and making plans to come back next year. According to Mill Stone’s website, millstonebedandbreakfast.com (where reservations are easily made), spring and summer room rates start at $120 a night Sundays through Thursdays.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
We head south on a few back roads, past corn fields and beautiful farms, on our way to Evelyn & Harriette’s Gifts, a quality gift shop that specializes in original art, fine collectibles, jewelry and more. It’s always a good time with owners Annesley “Ann” Kern and her husband, Stuart “Stu” Kern, who have a knack for making everyone feel welcome. Their shop, filled with fun surprises for all ages, carries Folkmanis puppets (realistic and cute as can be) and bouncy wooden puppets made in Germany. “Their sole purpose in life is to make you smile,” Ann shares. These two love to educate and share the history and purpose of all of their merchandise. “Everything in here has a story,” says Stu.
On the first floor, Polish Pottery provides a glimpse into another culture. A glass case offers handcrafted rings, earrings, bracelets and charms made of all natural materials such as paper, natural grasses and Murano glass. In the showroom next door, a shopper is playing with a set of Corinthian Bells (wind chimes). “They sound like they are humming,” shares Stu. “Most chimes have that tinkle, tinkle sound.”
Upstairs, a toy store offers gifts from around the world, including books, musical instruments, puzzles, blocks in 17 different languages, Walachia Building kits, Bruder Trucks with replaceable parts and more. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
A SPLASH OF RED
Purple clematis grows wild on a trellis at the shop entrance located in the back, on the lower level of a renovated 200-year-old barn. Owner Margaret “Margie” A. Kraft and her husband, Kevin, have lived here since 2001. “Follow the red brick walkway to our door,” says Margie, who opened her shop in October, 2005. A Splash of Red is located on three acres in a breathtaking natural setting with manicured lawns, weeping willows and a stream called Creek Mud Run. To the right of the parking lot, a preserved milk house now functions as a potting shed.
A Splash of Red has approximately 85 percent American made items representing more than 200 North American artists. Specializing in contemporary American crafts, the shop carries jewelry, pottery, art glass, kaleidoscopes, framed wall art, wine- related items, baby gifts and garden items. Even the whimsical wooden signs, glycerin soaps, cards and candles are all American made. Margie also has a few local artists’ works in the shop, including bronze work by Rick Summons of Sinking Spring; oil paintings by Jonathan Bond of Kempton; and watercolors by Ineke van Werkoven of Fleetwood.
“I strive to keep things fresh and exciting,” says Margie, who scours art shows, gift fairs and antique shops for the curious and unusual. “I do a lot of buying at the winter shows and have new things shipped throughout the year.”
The shop is open Thursday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm, Sunday from Noon to 3pm, or by chance.
Original article published in Berks County Living September 2013
