Morning, Bucks County. Nearly 500 jack-o’-lanterns are lined up along the canal in Yardley, lit every night from sundown. It’s free and it runs rain or shine, so the only real decision is which night. Just know the last one is Saturday, not Sunday.
In this issue:
The Central Bucks budget warning, from Sunday’s video
Meeting Street crab at the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville
A three-bedroom in Churchville for the price game
Let’s get to it.
Jim
THIS WEEK’S VIDEO · CENTRAL BUCKS
Central Bucks warns about its shrinking budget reserves
Sunday’s video, “Central Bucks Schools: The 2-Year Warning + 2 More Stories,” looks at the district’s budget outlook. In an Oct. 7 message, Superintendent Joanna Wexler put this school year’s projected deficit at $19.4 million.
Why it matters: Wexler said deficits of that size could exhaust the district’s reserves in roughly two years. Class sizes and staffing allocations are among the areas to be reviewed.
What’s next: A 10-year demographic study is due in January 2027, along with a board presentation. The video also covers Barn Plaza’s redevelopment and a Flagship car wash proposal.
FEATURED EVENT · YARDLEY
A little light along the canal
Canal-O-Ween’s jack-o’-lantern walk wraps up Saturday, Oct. 31. The pumpkins light up at sundown each night, rain or shine, and the walk is free.
Gourd route: Follow N. Edgewater Avenue along the canal between Fuld Road and E. Afton Avenue. The carving event was Oct. 25, so this week it’s just the walk.
Park first: The small lot is at Fuld Road and Morgan Avenue. Check the organizer’s parking map before heading over.
RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK · LUMBERVILLE
Meeting Street crab, finished with sherry
The Black Bass Hotel’s autumn dinner menu lists Charleston Meeting Street Crab for $46. It’s a classic au gratin preparation with reduced cream and sharp cheddar, finished with sherry.
Bass notes: That’s the dinner price; the lunch menu has a separate version. Dinner runs every day from 5 to 9 p.m.
River stop: The hotel is at 3774 River Road in Lumberville. Reserve through the website or call 215-297-9260.
SPONSORED BY LIVING IN THE PHILADELPHIA SUBURBS: BUCKS COUNTY EDITION
 |
Ever drive past a sold sign and wonder what it actually went for? Living in the Philadelphia Suburbs: Bucks County Edition is a weekly real estate newsletter that breaks down recent Bucks County sale prices and what they mean, in plain English. Free, every Tuesday morning.
Jim Stevenson, Realtor® · Real of Pennsylvania · (855) 450-0442
In Other News
🍝 Fire’s on: LaScala’s Fire says its Newtown location is now open at 2948 S. Eagle Road. That’s Newtown in Bucks, separate from its Newtown Square restaurant. Restaurant update.
📱 School phone policies: Pennsylvania’s new bell-to-bell law was signed Monday at Lenape Middle School in Doylestown. Schools must have policies in place by the 2027–28 school year. The law also allows some exceptions, such as medical needs. State announcement.
🗳️ Tuesday’s election: Polls are open Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Civilian mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m.; a postmark doesn’t count. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot has passed. County voting deadlines.
🕰️ One hour back: Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1. At 2 a.m., clocks go back to 1 a.m. The time change.
🏗️ Barn Plaza plans: Sunday’s video revisits the former theater site. Brixmor’s second-quarter report lists Pottery Barn and Shake Shack among the planned tenants. Its June 2027 date is a project estimate, not an opening date for those stores. Brixmor’s report, page 29.
What’d It Go For?
A leafy front yard and a stone entry in Churchville. This home closed Oct. 27. Your clues:
3 bedrooms
2.5 bathrooms
About 1,570 square feet
Answer and vote split next Thursday. Last week’s Riegelsville home sold for $425,000. No votes were recorded.
This Weekend
THROUGH SATURDAY
🎃 Canal-O-Ween · Delaware Canal, N. Edgewater Avenue, Yardley · Oct. 29–31, from sundown · Free; rain or shine.
🏮 Fall Lantern Tours · Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road · Oct. 30–31, tours at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. · Reservations needed; price not stated on event page.
THURSDAY
📚 Gothic literature tour · Fonthill Castle, Doylestown · Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon or 3–4:30 p.m. · $30 adult; $15 youth ages 14–17.
🐺 Terror at the TileWorks · 130 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown · Oct. 29, tours at 6, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m. · $35 plus booking fee.
🍬 Trick or Treat for Grown-Ups · Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Newtown · Oct. 29, 7 p.m. · $35; reservations necessary.
FRIDAY
🌿 Twilight Garden Tour · Hibbs House Kitchen Garden, Washington Crossing Historic Park · Oct. 30, 5:30–6:30 p.m. · Price not stated on event page.
🎸 Saints & Sinners’ Ball with Wineskin · TileWorks, 130 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown · Oct. 30, 6 p.m. · Tickets required; price not stated on calendar.
SATURDAY
🐦 Morning bird walk · Churchville Nature Center, 501 Churchville Lane · Oct. 31, 8–10 a.m. · Free.
🍷 Spooktacular Halloween Celebration · Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Newtown · Oct. 31, noon–6 p.m. · No cover; purchases extra.
SUNDAY
🥬 Love Grows Farmstand · Playwicki Farm, 2350 Bridgetown Pike, Feasterville-Trevose · Nov. 1, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. · Produce purchases extra; admission price not stated.
One More Thing
That’s it for this week. Know someone who’d enjoy the pumpkin walk in Yardley? Forward this their way. Which section do you skip? Hit reply and tell me. It helps me make this more useful.
See you next Thursday,
 | Jim |
