Out & About with Linda
Who would have thought that there would be a sawmill in the heart of Huntingdon Valley? Well, that’s what you have on Pike Road.
Bill Burkel’s WTB Woodworking is a woodworking mecca for all things wood. Just follow the road until you hit his offices and you’ll see beautiful wood at various stages being readied for cabinetry, tables, shelving, whatever your heart desires. It’s something quite unexpected.
I stopped by his open house for his new retail arm, and I could feel the excitement as I drove up Pike Road. (The grilled hamburg- ers and hotdogs filled the air. LOL!) Cars were parked on both sides of the road, filled with people checking out the store and this state-of-the-art facility for woodworking. All the best specialists and manufacturers were present to offer help with individual clients, and as Bill shared, this gathering was the foundation of a woodworking makers meetup. These are woodworking enthusiasts who work with wood at different levels.
WTB Woodworking is a full-service woodworking haven. It carries all tools and supplies needed by the woodworking enthusiast. If you’re looking for something to tweak your project, Bill Burkel has it… and if he doesn’t have it onsite, he can get it.
At an earlier visit during construction of the retail shop, I witnessed Bill’s BIG to-do list on a wall. It was clear all hands on deck were needed to complete this list. Bright and open, I could see his complete collection of manufacturers represented on the walls. But WTB Woodworking is also a lot more.
For me, it’s Bill’s extensive workshop that’s so impressive. Lining his walls are a myriad of wood slabs and sheet goods. Clients can select a particular wood slab, much like you would do a piece of granite. The slabs have been vacuum-kiln dried, many with QR codes attached telling you where and when the wood has been harvested. Most of the wood is local and have a story to tell. And you become part of the story!!
Slabs can be 12 feet 6 inches tall and are generally only a part of the total tree cut. It’s hard to believe, but much of the wood on display has been harvested five to ten miles from WTB. Bill is committed to not letting any fallen trees go to waste. He and his crew give new life to those trees left abandoned.
WTB is a workroom and retail space measuring 4000 square feet inside. However, mother nature provides more space outside the building, almost 2,000 square feet. And Bill uses every inch of that space for milling and curing his beautiful woods. Remember, I said, his is an enterprise very much unexpected in the heart of a Philadelphia suburb!!
Once the slabs are selected, Bill and his designers can build you that special wood table or cabinetry you’re looking for. How ’bout that special kitchen ceiling or family room entertainment center. They can do it all, starting with that special wood you’ve selected.
WTB is really special. It’s worth a visit if you’re considering any kind of construction or remodel. Bill Burkel is sure to be an invalu-able resource. And, if you’re looking to test your personal woodworking “chops,” WTB Woodworking is a local resource where you’re sure to get everything you need to do the job… at one stop. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
This month I checked out Nirvana Indian Bistro. My sister and I went, with some trepidation, expecting to be lost in a menu of “con- fusion.” Fortunately, we had a very able guide, Nabil, who offered strategic guidance vis a vis popular favorites! LOL!!
Located in Richboro, Nirvana is one of the newest “Nirvana Bistros” in our greater area. Open and airy, a corner spot with lots of windows, this place is sure to glisten in the daytime. We were seated by a window and almost immediately greeted by Nabil, our “guide.” He offered us our menu, poured our water and left us to our own decisions.
The menu is fairly clear. Each dish is described eloquently and you would be hard pressed not to understand it… however, as we re- viewed each section, it became clear we needed a tiny bit of clarification. Nabil explained that the Tandoori Specialties were “dry”. The menu says grilled. And the Biryani or Paneer was “wet”. had gravy. Ok, so we got that. All we needed to do was indicate how
spicy we wanted things to be. I like spicy, Michele, not so much!! And, of course, we wanted to try different things so to provide a broader picture of this Indian restaurant.
First off, we ordered the Vegetable Samosas, delectable pockets of warm veggies enrobed in a light pastry. They were accompa- nied by two dipping sauces, one a little spicier than the other. This appetizer was perfect for both of us. We also ordered the Gobi Manchurian, crispy cauliflower in a chili garlic sauce. I little too “heated” for Michele, but well suited to my palate! Nabil checked in on us and suggested a mango drink that would help dial down the heat. This is a must-have drink. creamy, cool, not too sweet, we both enjoyed. Great suggestion!!
