News

Many Thanks

A small collection of recent thank you messages.

First is a message from a Beer Fest vendor who works at Peaceful Paws Giant Dog Placement Services.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for having us at the beer festival this past weekend.  It was such a great event to be a part of and all our volunteers for the day said how nice you were to them and how accommodating and friendly everyone at the festival was.

To date, it was one of the most successful fundraising events our rescue has been a part of!  We are a small rescue, with some giant dogs and even larger medical bills so the opportunity to be in a spot where we could be so successful was amazing.
I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the rescue and we would love to come back for the fall festival if you’d have us.

Thanks!

Next up is a patron who hosted a party in our event space.

Thank you for making our special meeting with family, whom we had not seen in a long time, a very special occasion.
The food was absolutely delicious and ranking as the best ever. From the Bisque to the Salmon to the Crab Cakes and that sauce on the Crab should win a national prize. You even went out of your way to get a special wine (Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay) Thank you again for making this evening so special. Last but not least was the service provided. Could not have been better. We will return.

McCoole’s Featured in History Book

Author and Television Personality Rick Browne was dining at a restaurant in Portland, Oregon and learned it was over 100 years old. Intrigued, he began to research if there were other restaurants throughout the country this old—he learned there were, in fact, about 250.  Rick then spent next three years of his life dedicated to traveling all over our great nation profiling 100 centenarian restaurants, inns, taverns and public houses he selected as being the most historic, most interesting and most successful.. 

 

In October 2013, his hard work will pay off.  Rick will introduce his new cookbook, A Century of Restaurants: Stories and Recipes from 100 of America’s Most Historic Restaurants (Andrews McMeel Publishing, October 2013, $40).  The book is filled with restaurant historical profiles, interesting facts, great photography, and tidbits of information on some of our country’s longest standing restaurants. A full press release is pasted below and electronic interior pages are available immediately upon request.  In the meantime, here are just a few fun facts to whet your appetite:

 

  • The bar in Sydney, Nebraska where Ernest Hemmingway edited A Farewell to Arms while sitting on a stool sipping martinis.
  • “Black Sam” the native-born Jamaican who operated Gen. Washington’s favorite New York City restaurant, and then was tabbed as the first White House Chef.
  • The New Jersey inn that inspired a Rogers & Hart song covered by Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, Ella Fitzgerald and many other singers in the mid-1950’s.
  • The feisty Pennsylvania innkeeper who told Gen. Washington, at the time the Commander-In-Chief of the Continental Army, “You can’t sleep here.”
  • A rustic tavern in Arkansas where a local blacksmith created an unusual knife and presented it to a pioneer who was passing through. Later the knife became as famous as the man who received it.
  • The restaurant in Denver that was visited by a tribal war party of 30 Blackfeet Indians in 1938 in full war paint and battle dress, who rode up on horseback and with great ceremony delivered a historic gift to the owner.
  • Restaurants where Billy the Kid washed dishes, Ho Chi Minh baked bread and cakes, the King of France taught ballroom dancing, Japan’s 66th Prime Minister worked while attending college, a tavern where a traitor was hanged on a hill right behind the place, and the tavern where Ben Franklin slept under 100 hams.
  • The rural publick house where all the books in the library have been cut in half.
  • The tavern where Buffalo Bill paid for drinks and grub with a $1,000 dollar bill- shocking the owner and the whole town.
  • The hotel bar where Teddy Roosevelt recruited and signed up many of his Rough Riders.

The North Star uses McCoole’s for filming

Independant film The North Star used our facilities to film portions of the upcoming movie. Learn more about the movie below and make sure to look for our dining room when you go see it.


Press Release:

Preview Screenings Announced for Independent Feature Film THE NORTH STAR, Starring Jeremiah Trotter

 

With two upcoming sold out showings of THE NORTH STAR at The County Theater in Doylestown, PA, several preview screening opportunities have been announced at the historic Newtown Theatre in Newtown, PA.

 

The North Star trailer: http://youtu.be/usVel75TEVE

 

PREVIEW SCREENINGS:

Red Carpet Event & Preview Screening:
SATURDAY, MAY 4TH, 2013 
NEWTOWN THEATRE, 120 North State Street, Newtown, PA 18940 - 215-968-3859

Red carpet begins approximately 3:30pm; Screening begins at: 4:30pm
$20.00* – Tickets/info: www.newtowntheatre.com
The press and the public are invited to attend the outdoor red carpet event (prior to the preview screening) with cast and crew including JEREMIAH TROTTER, beginning approximately 3:30pm, weather permitting. *Fundraiser for Newtown Theatre digital projector.

Regular Preview Screenings: Newtown Theatre
Friday, May 3rd, 2013, 7pm & 9pm
Saturday, May 4th, 2013, 8:30pm
Monday, May 6th – Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 7pm.
$10.00 – Tickets/info: www.newtowntheatre.com
Note: these are regular screenings – not red carpet.

Help support Newtown’s digital projector campaign.

 

 

The Newtown Theatre in Newtown, PA will host several preview screening opportunities to see The North Star on the heels of its twice sold-out shows at The County Theater in Doylestown, PA. There will be a special red carpet event with members of the cast and crew in Newtown on Saturday, May 4th, beginning at 3:30 pm, followed by a 4:30 pm screening, and a Q & A with Writer/Director Thomas K. Phillips, along with additional screenings throughout the week. The sold out shows at the County Theater are on Thursday, May 2nd, at 7:30 and 8:00 pm, with the red carpet events beginning at 6:30 pm. Presented by the Doylestown Historical Society, the Doylestown event will highlight the historic elements of the film along State Street prior to audiences entering the theater.

 

Jeremiah Trotter and other members of the cast and crew will be present at both events for the red carpet and Q & A after the screenings.

 

Written and directed by Thomas K. Phillips of Buckingham, PA, The North Star is the true story of Big Ben Jones, a slave in the 1840’s who makes a bold and courageous escape from a Virginia plantation all the way to Buckingham, PA, where he receives help from local Quakers. Ben Jones is played by former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter in his feature film debut. Clifton Powell (Ray, Norbit, Rush Hour, Friday After Next) is a producer on the film and is also featured in the cast along with co-star Thomas C. Bartley, Jr. Additional cast members include John Diehl (Pearl Harbor, Jurassic Park III, Stargate, Mo’ Money), Lynn Whitfield (HBO’s Josephine Baker Story), April Woodall (Broadway actress and vocalist), Keith David (Platoon, Crash, The Thing, ATL), blues musician Guy Davis (son of Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee), Christopher Mann (The Bourne Legacy, Blue Bloods, Duplicity, The Wire) and Alana Lee. The film has been scored by the father and son collaboration of jazz legend Ramsey Lewis and acclaimed producer and musician Frayne Lewis.

 

Shot in an astonishing 24 days throughout 14 locations, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and its deep history as a route on the Underground Railroad is featured prominently in the film, from state parks to private homes to historic sites including The Moland House, Plumstead Meeting, and the Hammerstein House.

 

A fitting backdrop, The Newtown Theatre played a particularly significant role as one of the locations. Phillips wrote a scene for the film in which abolitionist Frederick Douglass speaks to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. The Newtown Theatre was a clear location choice as the real Frederick Douglass actually spoke there, creating an indelible link from the past to the present and now providing film audiences a truly unique opportunity to see history recreated right before their eyes. The Newtown Theatre dates back to 1831, and is considered the oldest continuously running movie theater in the United States. Originally built as a hall for town gatherings, the building evolved into a venue for live performances. During this time, anti-slavery meetings were held there, with such speakers as Lucretia Mott and Frederick Douglass.

 

In his director’s statement, Phillips says, “My wish is that The North Star will resonate positively with its audience, show the good of humanity in such a dark time in American history and shed light on the thousands of courageous individuals that took the perilous journey to freedom. I hope the film will create a dialogue with audiences about how people came together for the cause of abolishing slavery.” The filmmakers hope to bring The North Star to film festivals and schools and acquire a distributor once the final edits are complete.

 

The North Star is a LuckPig Studios production. Headquartered in Doylestown, PA, LuckPig is a new film and music production company owned by Executive Producers Dave and Tracey DeLellis. With The North Star as their first feature film, LuckPig Studios and Thomas K. Phillips are collaborating on several projects currently in development.

 

Q & A’s with cast and crew will take place after the screenings on May 2nd at The County Theater, and after the 4:30 screening at the Newtown Theatre on May 4th. Additional screenings will be held at the Newtown Theatre May 3rd – May 8th. In addition, the Doylestown Historical Society is hosting narratives and spoken word readings by members of the community each Saturday through April, in association with their correlating North Star exhibit. www.doylestownhistorical.org.

 

The North Star trailer: http://youtu.be/usVel75TEVE

 

To learn more about The North Star, please visit

www.thenorthstarmovie.com

www.facebook.com/thenorthstarmovie

Twitter: @northstarfilm

 

For Newtown Theatre ticket information, please visit www.newtowntheatre.com

For any updates of future screenings at the County Theater, please visit www.countytheater.org

 

Good Break for Mountain Biking

A note from a customer:

We are always looking for unique places to eat when we travel to Nockamixon to mountain bike. The Red Lion Inn caught our eye, so we stopped in. We are so glad we did. It was an excellent experience. We sat at the bar. The bartender was super. The menu offered lots of choices. The bartender recommended the bison burgers. They were awesome and prepared just the way we like them. Thanks!!!! We will be back again. The atmosphere was very inviting as well…

Looking forward to seeing you again.

McCoole’s Commissions Murals for Arts & Events Place

Artist Lorenzo Branca renders lively murals at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place.

Jan Hench, owner of McCoole’s At the Historic Red Lion Inn and Arts & Events Place, has commissioned local Bucks County artist  and musician, Lorenzo Branca to create facade murals to fill the recessed arches that once served as windows and/or doors when the building functioned as a livery stable for the historic Red Lion Inn.

The three murals depict the venues offered within the Arts & Events Place: theatre, music and food and beverage. Each mural measures 11’ in height. The center mural is  8’ wide and the two flanking murals are 4’ wide.

“The arches form a natural frame that just called out for some sort of artwork. I am thrilled with the renditions Lorenzo is creating and feel they will further enhance the overall appearance of the complex, “ states Hench.

McCoole’s Arts & Events Place became part of the McCoole’s complex in 2007. Theatre, live music and business seminars are held upstairs and the downstairs houses private catering events and restaurant overflow. Functions for seated meals can be held for up to 120 people, while 200 can attend cocktail receptions.

Lorenzo Branca is a local Bucks County artist and musician. His work can be seen inside and outside McCoole’s Restaurant and Arts & Events Place as well as other locations throughout the area. At McCoole’s these include the soldiers in McCoole’s dining room, the lion on the exterior rear of the restaurant, the lamppost by the bar entrance at the restaurant and the sea mural on the dividing wall in the Arts & Events Center.

 

Pictured at left: Mural depicting Theatre, at right sketch of mural to depict Music.

 

A Smooth Birthday Celebration

 

Hi Jan,

Thank you so much! Our family had a wonderful time celebrating my father-in –law’s 80th birthday. The food was delicious and our server, Philip, was exceptional!

Best regards,

Christine Gahman for the family

It’s OK To Get Lost…

A True Story!
We were a group of 18 traveling on a club trip Sunday,October 9.
On the way to McCoole’s our bus driver got lost and we were way out of our way. I called McCoole’s to tell them we would be late…they said no problem…

By the time we found out where to go and get there, we ended up being very late. I’m personally one of those people who does not like to be late!

I had called McCoole’s again…and they said don’t worry it’s not your fault. We were close to an hour late, stressed, and all very hungry by the time we got there.

Thank you !!! to the staff of McCoole’s !!!! you led us in to our waiting table, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the food delicious!

There was no animosity about our lateness . Our trip was completed on a wonderful note! If we travel down that way again I would definitely choose your restaurant again for a group or personal trip.
(as would many of the members)

Thank you again, Tina Ciotoli and The Broome County Doll Club

It is okay to get lost…just call and let us know.
Thank you for your note!
Jan and the team at McCoole’s

Ommegang Tasting

McCoole’s is hosting an Ommegang Tasting on Wednesday September 14 from 7pm to 9pm.

We will have draughts of their Belgian Pale Ale, as well as bottles of Ommegang Abbey Dubbel and Duvel.

Free glassware.

Our New Health Conscious Menu Is Here

Welcome to our new menu offering more health conscious choices. We now give you a choice of ten different sides to accompany your sandwich or burger – healthy or naughty. The choice is yours. If you have a special dietary need, please let us know as we now have many options and substitutions to fill your needs (and your tummy!).

Weekly Events at McCooles

For a new experience at McCooles, stop in for one of our specialty nights in the lounge areas, including

Tuesday Trivia: Play for prizes of $5.00 and $10.00 gift certificates.

Wednesday Wing Night: A basket of Wings (8) for $3.50. Choose from the following sauces: Sweet & Sour, Peanut sesame, Buffalo, B.B.Q. or Hot & Honey. Also your choice of Ranch or Bleu Cheese dipping sauce with celery.

Thursday Steamer Night: One dozen fresh steamers with drawn butter $5.00

Each specialty night we have Pabst Blue Ribbon or Miller Lite on draught for $1.00