Congratulations Michael Vassallo! Our Employee of the Year!

Family Caregivers Network is pleased to recognize and congratulate Michael Vassallo as Employee of the Year! Michael joined Family Caregivers in 2016, after caring for his parents for over 20 years. Michael’s parents required help at home when he was in his late 20’s. As an informal family caregiver, he learned how to help his parents by instinct. For the next 25 years Michael cared for both parents until their passing. As a family caregiver you become the lifeline for your loved one, on-call 24/7. With this comes the emotional and physical stress associated with caregiving. Michael reached out to the Caregiver Support Group run by Family Caregivers Network to help him with the emotional challenges of caregiving.

After Michael’s parents passed, he thought “what do I do now.” Caregiving was all he knew, and it was something he loved to do. Helping others brought him great joy. So, he asked Gerry Fioriglio, owner of Family Caregivers Network “are you hiring caregivers?” And within weeks Michael had all the formal education, tools, and support he needed to be a professional caregiver. Michael’s co-workers describe him as, kind, compassionate, hardworking, empathetic, funny, and gentle.

When I asked Michael what he likes about being a caregiver he said, “it is not work when you love to help others. Caregiving has given me patience and compassion for others. You look at life differently with more understanding of the purpose of life.”

Congratulations Michael on being an exceptional employee and caregiver. We are so grateful to have you as part of our caregiving team!

Handy Hint

When you’re painting or gardening, keep your phone clean and dry by sealing it inside a ziptop bag. You can still work the buttons right through the bag.

Answer to February Puzzle

MURDER MYSTERY MARCH 11 · 6:30-9PM

Perkiomen Valley Brewery, 101 Walnut St, Green Lane

Join us March 11th from 6:30 - 9:00 pm for a night of murder and intrigue and...

LAUGHTER as we all try to figure out who dunnit! It could get deadly just from roaring with laughter!

We are teaming up with Without a Cue Productions again for this audience-participation murder mystery and you won’t want to miss it! We’re going on a ride on the Titanic! So come dressed up in your finest. Or maybe you want to come as some as the hired help. We promise, we won’t put you to work. Tickets are $35 per person which includes the show and some light noshy food. Catch some dinner out and then come over and catch the show at #PVB

HIGH VALUE GARDEN PLANTS MARCH 14 · 6PM

Upper Perk Valley Library, 350 Main St. Red Hill

Join Penn State Master Gardener Kristi Wenrich for a gardening lecture that will include flower, herb and vegetable varieties that provide a lot of value for little effort or expense. The varieties discussed are easy to grow from seed, self-sow, bloom for a long time and provide an abundance of delicious produce for your table. The lecture is free and open to the public. Call 215.679.2020 to reserve a seat.

GOODBYE WINTER CRAFT FAIR MARCH 18, 11AM -4PM

East Greenville Fire Company, 401 Washington St., East Greenville

We at K4K & Fur Mama Events are excited to invite you to our 2023 Goodbye Winter Craft Fair!!! This is an indoor event. We anticipate 40+ vendors!!! Please mark your calendars to come on out and support local crafters/vendors!!

If you are a crafter or vendor looking to participate in this event, please contact us at k4kandfurmamaevents@yahoo.com for more information. Thank you!!

CHILI COOK OFF MARCH 25 · 6PM-9PM

Join us for the return of the Annual Chili Cook Off and Talent Show at St Paul’s on Saturday, March 25th at 6pm!

Love to cook? Have a new or tried and true chili recipe you want to share? Then start dicing and join us at St. Paul’s for a chili cook off and talent show! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join the fun. Is cooking and tasting chili not your thing? We welcome soups, side dishes and desserts, as well as talent acts to go with the chili. Plenty of non-chili choices for dining are available. Have questions or want to sign up? Contact Bob or Laura Foreman at 215-272-1445 or foreman3@hotmail.com. Hope you can join us for this free, fun and family friendly event!

EASTER EGG HUNT APRIL 1 · 1PM

Hickory Park Pool, 2140 Big Rd. Gilbertsville

Hop on over to Hickory Park for our 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 1st at 1pm. We will be having a FREE egg hunt with over 5,000 eggs to be found with 4 different age categories AND pictures with the Easter Bunny! Please register at https://www.glocker.com/2023easteregghuntregistrationahead of time so we can plan accordingly.

MAKE MUSIC UPPER PERK FEBRUARY 1 - APRIL 20

ValleyArtScene.wordpress.com

Make Music Upper Perk musician registration. All ages, abilities, styles of music are welcome to participate in the 11th annual community wide music festival held on Wednesday June 21, 2023. Groups, students, seasoned musicians, bands, solo acts, etc. To register, go to ValleyArtScene.wordpress.com.

Food Pantry Top Needs:

Cereal

Tomato Sauce

Canned Fruit

Fruit Juice

Pancake Mix

Syrup

Fresh Apples & Oranges

Cleaning Supplies

Paper Products

Pet Food

Laundry Detergent

Donations can be dropped off at the food pantry (alley) entrance of The Open Link, 452 Penn St., Pennsburg, PA 18073.

Hours: M-F: 8-4, with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Thank you! Visit us at www.theopenlink.org.