Anthony Natale is owner/president of Anthony's Pizza and Italian restaurant on King St in Malvern.  Anthony and I have had some great conversations about our town, our families, and his continued expansion of the restaurant. Each time I see him, he stops, waves and always has that welcoming smile along with a heartfelt hello. Today we sat down just before the staff broke bread together for a short chat.

Why Malvern?

Originally I had no Idea what Malvern was.  I was looking for a restaurant for 6 years, when one of the original Anthony's owners reached out to my dad who was also in the restaurant business. He mentioned it to me, so I brought my family in for a meal. My kids and my wife and I had a great time here. And the rest is history.

What is your favorite food?

A short rib ragu, with some homemade pasta!

How do you define success?

Balancing family life with business.  If you don't have one without the other it wouldn't work.

If you were traveling to Mars, and you could only bring one album, what would it be?

I listen to audio books! (laughter). I think knowledge is power, so I have the Audible App....Also, maybe 90's Hip Hop... Jay-Z

Who do you idolize?

I Idolize my parents for what they did through their life.  You see what your parents did, and you are happy you turned out like them. 

Also, Vito- we spend a lot of time together!

Christopher Bashore is our latest facesofMalvern subject.  Christopher just took over as the new Malvern Borough manager, and I thought it was time to drop by and say hi.  This mild mannered young man has embraced our small town and will surely take the reins and steer us in the right direction. This morning I got to sit down for a little one on one time with Chris to welcome him to Malvern.

Here are the answers to a few of my questions.

Q. Why Malvern?

A. It's a beautiful community , very  vibrant, It has a lot of community involvement,  and it continues to grow. I like the smaller towns because of the connection with residents and businesses. Those are the individuals who make a place feel like home. We have so much going for us in this town. 

Q. What is your favorite food?

A. Pizza

Q. How do you define success?

A. living a good life, grounded in ethics. Feeling like at the end of each day that you have had an impact on something or someone. 

Q. If you were traveling to mars and could only take one album with you, what would it be?

A. The Get Up Kids. Something to write home about

Q. Who do you idolize?

A. My Parents. They work  incredibly hard and are very  successful in their  fields.

Kristin Thomas is truly a facesofMalvern person. This morning at about 7:00AM I messaged Kristin on facebook and asked if she was up for having her picture made. She instantly replied that she was on a train returning home from NYC and then had a luncheon appointment, but would be happy to sit for the session at about 3:00PM. This girl is everywhere!   What she didn't mention, was that the luncheon for Main Line Today, was honoring her as one of the "Women On The Move." And that she certainly is.  Just look at what she drives! A full size van to cart the kids around with flames on the side. (now you are reading this shaking your head because you see that van everywhere)  A true community spirit at heart, Kristin is constantly involved in making our town a better place to live, work and play. She started the Malvern Community Arts program a few years ago, which to date has 6 completed art projects including several murals, that beautify this great town. When she is not doing community service, she is busy working for two companies,Remote.co and Flexjobs.com,and raising a family of 4 +Bryan. Kristin is a proud breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed at age 40 with no family history or syptoms she credits a baseline mammogram at age 37 for saving her life at 40.  Thanks Kristin for all you do, and welcome to the facesofMalvern family.

Here are the answers to a few of my questions.

Q. Why Malvern?
A. both of my parents were from Berwyn and lived and worked in Malvern after they were married.

Q. What is your favorite food?
A. anything I don't have to cook.

Q. How do you define success?
A. doing things that I love, and being in control of my time.

Q. If you were traveling to mars and could only take one album with you, what would it be?
A. You wreck me baby. Tom Petty

Q. Who do you idolize?
A. successful women who have broken the gender barriers